Buster,
I also did pretty well.
The first month of RT wasn't bad and they had me fatten up a bit.

The second month I gradually went downhill and relied on my PEG (mouth & throat sores, mucous, awful taste, loss of appetite, mild rad burn).

The last week I got sick - nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and bad rad burn.

My recovery was the reverse, each week was a bit better and within six weeks I was fine and got my PEG removed.

Food still tasted bad or tasteless for several months and my appetite was poor. Without the PEG I "easily" lost a bit too much weight.

There were only a couple days the last week of RT that I needed help. Otherwise I drove and took care of myself, but, just in case, be sure you have a support network.

Once you switch to PEG feeding, it is a good idea to set out your daily ration of cans. Otherwise, I would tend to skip feedings and hydration.

Three weeks of radiation down, four to go. Three chemo treatments down, three to go. Dropped 10 lbs over the last two weeks, using the peg 4-5 times per day and eating soup by mouth several times per day. Enduring some pain in the throat and the jaw is stiff, however so far so good. Only a couple of days of nausea the second week, however I do feel the fatigue factor.

Keep plugging away buster, you can do it!!!

All normal Buster!! Almost there. Also open your mouth as much as you can acouple times a day. This will help with jaw stiffness later. Also make sure you keep swallowing everyday. It's not a fun road you have to endure but u can do it!!

Hang in there..sounds like you're doing great!!

Keep up with your positive attitude. So far it sounds like you are doing great! Keep up with minimum 48 oz water daily and 2500 calories. Many of us have used Carnation Very High Calorie formula. It has 560 calories which is more than most prescription formulas. I would add a can or 2 with water (its kinda thick) to my usual feedings. It helped me keep my weight on. You can purchase this by clicking on the green box on the forum main pages. Its an Amazon link that will give OCF a small kickback.

Keep up the good work! Best wishes for another good week.

Week 4 completed, 3 more weeks of radiation and 2 more chemo's. Maintaining weight with PEG, 5 times per day. Extreme sore throat and fatigue.

Hang in there...you are giving me along with all the others who have battled and won a real, clear idea of what treatment is all about.
Chrisine

I see you live in Ocala, Florida. My husband had stage 4 tongue cancer and surgery in November of 08. He had chemo and radiation (39 treatments) at the Sylvester Cancer Institute in Miami. His doctors were Dr. Weed and Dr. Arnold who are very well revered for this type of surgery. He lost half of his tongue but these doctors have developed a method of grafting tissue and an artery from the forearm to rebuild the tongue. Don't know where you are getting treatment but check out these doctors. He is 2 years from the end of radiation this Friday which they say is a great sign that he will not experience a recurrence.

Thanks for all the responses. Completed 5 weeks of radiation and chemo. Two more weeks of radiation and 1 more chemo to go. Physically things are the same as last week, extreme sore throat, and fatigue with 1 day of nausea.