I looked at the calendar today. 6 months and 9 minutes (who's counting like me) ago today I took off that damn mask and got up off moving table for the last time. (Fingers crossed). So far so good. Both the RO and ENT say they don't see or feel anything.

Neck muscle are still and always sore. I strech them 5 or 6000 times a day. Side to side, front to back, twist left twist right. Then there is the mouth stretch thing. Anybody here do the Jim Carey call of the wild face multiple times a day.

I am sitting in high level meeting with execs from all over the world and I am contorting my neck and making strange faces. I can't imagine what they are thinking.

So I get dry mouth at night because my nose is stuffy. I find Afrin, it works great. I sleep the whole night. A week later I reed the back "Do not use for more than 3 consecutive days". WHAT IS THIS IT GOING TO GIVE ME CANCER???

New Issue TMJ Both sides. Hurts wih lateral pressure on jaw. Not so much talking and chewing but side pressure. I think I might have over done it with the Therabite.

Last Question. Survivor status does the clock starts Day of Dx or End of Treatment.

PS I could not Stand IPA's before Treatment. I will let you know the verdict after the weekend.

Sounds good. They now say a survivor starts from the day of diagnosis, maybe American Cancer Society source I read it from, but I will always be a fighter! Keep up the good work. Btw, what is IPA's?

I decided cancer is a b$&@$ and only gets ONE day, I went down the list and decided on Clean PET Day (10/28/11). Cancer should just be glad it gets that much recognition from me...

IPA's are fantastic. Find myself leaning towards stouts of all sorts.

Ok...what are IPA's....What are we missing??
Congrats on the 6 months out!! We are 18 months out now, from the last IMRT.
Kathy

Alex and I have stopped counting (out loud anyway) as we found there comes a time when one thinking of oneself as a cancer survivor starts to define one. Having said this it is easier said than done.

Afrin: Is that a spray that helps with a stuffy nose? If it is, the reason they say not to use more than a few days is that it causes "rebound congestion" which means it causes the very condition that you are trying to treat. This just means that you might have to use it for the rest of your life or go through a few weeks of a stuffy nose without it until your body gets used to not having it anymore. As I always say to my Mum who is worried about getting "addicted" to some of her medications, it is only a problem if you are not planning on using it for the rest of your life.

with regard to survival, in my opinion the clock starts on from the day you start treatment. I say this because the stats on survival are based on the trials which all begin with the first day of treatment. However, Alex and I found some comfort in marking the anniversaries based on diagnosis and end of treatment as well.

An IPA is an India Pale Ale - my favorite type of beer pre treatment. Who knows if I'll like it anymore once I get the all clear for alcohol but I'm hopeful.
Never liked stouts too much. It seems like that is popular with the post radiation crowd though.

Congrats on 6 months!

oops, Paul is right survival is likely counted from day of diagnosis

Atta boy hockeydad...Kicking ass, taking names and drinking beer. You sure you're not Canadian like me?

Keep on keeping on. I am 9 months and 4 days from Dx, and 7 months and 6 days from surgery...dry mouth sucks. I chew gum now. Martini's also work.

Hi Kathy, the IPA I think refers to my post on http://oralcancersupport.org/forums...;Main=15045&Number=165106#Post165106 where ChrisN and I digress on to the changes in our taste buds having developed a greater likeing for bitter tastes. IPA is a very hoppy flavoured beer which gives it a bitter taste. India Pale Ale was an export beer developed for Brits in India in the days of the Empire and extra hops were used to help it through the long journey by sailing ships. Hops have a lot of antibcteria propeties, so I am sure they are healthy and good for us too! Sally

I drink an occasional beer, and find the darker types, unfiltered, even stout, has less carbonation and more taste as opposed to Light beer or other types. I cook with beer, so I keep it on hand lol. Wine I stay away unless I cook with or make sangria. Hard liquor I stay away from too and tends to burn my mouth.