Thanks for the high fives Charm. Kevin, like Pat, has thanked me many times for taking care of him and keeping our home crew going too. It is not something we want to repeat, but it was definitely a team building experience for us.
I think the humidifier did help a bit. He worked outside 3 days ago in -50 conditions so his throat really hurt the next day from breathing in the cold. The next day he wore a face mask and it was much better. He said he's feeling really good though. I cannot wait to see him next Saturday. I can't imagine how hard the next hitch (3 weeks) is gonna be on us. We have done this for 4 years and were fine being apart, but after the last 6 months...phew!
Deb, I looked in Kevin's mouth with a flashlight the whole time. When, at the end, his tongue was really sore, it was just a huge raw spot, not a hole. Hope that is ok!! Does his doc know? YUCK!
I think Kevin has a bit of a shelf too. The way he describes things getting caught sounds like a shelf. Good way to put it Karen!

Next Saturday! Time flys! The sore is definitely a hole. Thanks for the tip on the Diflucan for the throat fungus, if we can just get the tongue healed he will be a happy camper. We have moved backwards in the past few days and it is starting to concern me. Making an appt Monday with the ENT to look at. He was eating better a week ago but now is in pain again.

Hoping for some tips, advice on the hole in the tongue???? Still trying to get through to the ENT, but now he is going downhill again and not eating as well, losing weight. If we can get the tongue, we are in pretty good shape. No call back from the doctor today, hard to push during a busy day work and traveling the next two days for business. Frustration again just when the dust was settling. Hard to see your loved one moan every time he eats. Sigh............

So sorry Deb. How are things? Are you back home? Heard from the Dr. yet? I would be freaking out a little I think. Please update when you have a minute.
Kevin will be home in 2 days!!

Hi, Debbie - thoughts are with you - let us know how it's going.

Kathy/Kevin;

Sounds like Kevin went through the same treatment that I went through 6 years ago. Instead of the tongue, my ulcer was in the cheek. To be honest, if I eat something too spicy that is still where I feel it. This tongue may never go back to normal but I think that it will heal over time. Kevin is still in the very early stages of recovery from radiation to the head. Recovery, for me, was measured in years rather than weeks or months. My life saver for the cheek pain, and possibly for Kevin's tongue pain, was swishing with miracle mouthwash and lidocaine gel. The lidocaine is a topical anesthetic that really doesn't have an. I would put a dab on the sore before I tried eating and it really helped me.

Good luck and remember, "Baby Steps"

Thanks Richard, but it's actually Pat that has the sore on his tongue. The post began with he and Deb.
Kevin is doing pretty well. He's back to work in sub zero weather in Alaska. He has been there for 2 weeks, but is now beginning the journey back here to NY. He won't go back until February 15th.
Kev didn't go through nearly as much as you I don't think. His tx sounds close though, but there were no teeth involved or surgeries. Just the chemo and radiation.
Thanks for your post. I know Deb will pass your info on to Pat. Yay for 6 years ago. Praying we will be there one day too.
Blessings,
Kathy

Thanks for everyones thoughts and advice. The "paste" they gave Pat is giving him some relief and he has days it does not bother him as much as others. It's really a hard spot to reach but I do my best to plug the hole. The doctor never called back, so bye bye to that one. I am thinking the best course will be to have him go to his dentist so Monday he will be calling him. This guy is really good with a wife that works at Moffit and he is a "cancer dentist" if there is such a thing. At best he will at least have the tools to see back that far and explore. His weight is still down and in general his health is good. He is starting occupational therapy on Monday for Lymphodemia. His PT did say is was just starting so two weeks of learning how to do the gentle massage to open up the nodes so everything drains the proper way. As you said, baby steps. We are not getting discouraged, just staying ahead of the game. We have lidocaine liquid, I wonder if that would work on the sore for eating, hmmmmmmmmmm. Thanks for the advice and Kathy I am so glad Kevin is on his way home!!!!!!

Hi Deb,
Yup, he's home. I LOVE it!
Can you explain the lymphodemia? Kevin has quite a bit of swelling on the outside of his throat. I wonder if that could be the same thing?
I can't believe they didn't call you back. I'd be gone too. Hope you get some answers this week.

So glad he made it home safe and the cold weather is behind him for now. I can't imagine! The swelling started a few weeks ago and he had a lot of "turkey neck" that was hanging and some days just seemed swollen. We did some research and found this is common with radiation to the head and neck. The radiation seals off or gets clogged the lymph nodes and the fluids don't know where to drain to. He starts occupational therapy today and for two weeks after. They use a series of light massage and compression with an ace type bandage to open things up and redirect the built up fluid so it drains. I will keep you posted but look for swelling in the neck, throat, back of neck and chest wall. The OT said if caught early that it's common and not a problem.