Paul, I am so glad you are in good hands. The treatment plan is amazing, I had no idea they could do things like mold shields to protect structures. It makes me wonder why this isn't used more even for non-recurrences when the tumor bed's exposed and improving the margin is dangerous.

For me waiting to start is so hard, once a plan's been charted. With this sophisticated type of treatment I'm sure they need every last minute to prepare and coordinate -- Just aligning the doc's schedules must be a trick.

Get better, we need you here!

(((HUGS)))

Mama

Thank you Mama. I guess it's the cost of the IORT machine, over a million, a shielded OR dedicated for this, the radiation, and need for a multidisplinary team of doctors for surgery, and expertise in this area. It can be used for almost any area of the head and neck, and used in other cancers throughout the body.

Waiting is the hardest, and correct with coordinating the doctors schedules for this, the radistion plan.

Hope all is well with yourself.

Now I developed a gum infection from hurting my teeth while eating on Saturday. Took tramadol, Tylenol, Gabapentin, no help with the pain, and rinsing with warm salted water for the swelling, so I took oxycodone, knowing I would get sick, and did, vomiting for two days, and took antibiotics I had for the other side last month, being it was the weekend. An abscess may have developed on my jawline, same side as tooth, opposite side where cancer is, and have an appointment on Wednesday with my local oncologist. I hope I don't need to have it surgically removed or need IV antibiotics, which happened before to prevent sepsis, which hapened anyway, and caught MRSA in the hospital too, and when I get sick, take certain medications, stress, eat certain food, I can get hemolytic anemia whereby my RBC die off at a faster rate then they can be replaced from a metabolic disorder, G6PD, and needed transfusions in the past. I'm supposed to have my pre-op physical on Thursday, and hope this doesn't cause a delay with surgery on the 16th. I just won't open my mouth lol

I can't have any teeth removed until HBO is done, and can't have HBO until surgery/radiation is done to remove the cancer. I'm glad kept my feeding tube, just in case.

Things always seem to happen at the wrong time, like it usually does with everyone.

Oh no Paul.
Seems its always pouring around you. Hope you have sorted the pain out by now.
Ain't life complicated.
Keeping you in my thoughts and on my Special prayer list.
Tammy

Thank you Tammy. The oxy helps, but dinner was a waste lol.

That totally sucks! Thank heavens for pain meds feel better soon

Paul, your courage which allows you to take all the complications in stride is inspirational. Wishing you good luck and a quick recovery.

Thank you Cheryl and Gloria. I'll be ok, I have to be

Sorry to hear you are having even more issues. Seems like when times are rough anything that can go wrong will.

Your mouth should have enough time to heal before the surgery on the 16th. If you are like me, you probably heal much slower than you did before cancer and rads. There still should be enough time for your mouth to heal.

Wishing you all the best with everything!

Hey Paul, I'm so sorry about this recent turn of events. Can they find something for your pain that doesn't trigger nausea, or an anti-nausea drug so you can manage the pain med? I hate to think of you suffering, especially due to an innocent meal!

Had to chuckle, though, at your in-house pharmacy -- I'm thinking "Paulgreens"!

Hang tough, my friend --

(((HUGS)))

Mama