Everyone,

Met with my medical team today. Everyone was upbeat which made me feel better. I am going to receive 33 radiation treatments and 3 chemo treatments of cisplatin. I still have to get measured for my mask next week so it looks like around the 18th will be my start date. I also got asked to join a clinical trial so I will post some info under treatments to see what everyone thinks.

Thanks,

Curt

If you haven't yet, start packing on the avoirdupois immediately! Eat all your favorites, those that are too rich for a sane person to eat too much of, for you need all the calories you can pack in before starting this program. Do not worry about getting fat, you ARE going to LOSE weight in the process of surviving, which is more calorie-intensive than you could imagine.

Also, get used to being anal about drinking at least 64 oz of water daily, and monitoring your caloric intake daily to ensure you get a minimum of 2500 cal daily.

And check in here regularly for tips and updates.

And finally, good luck and don't overthink what lies ahead. Life is good, celebrate it!

Bart

Bart,

I have been asked to participate in a study sponsored by Galena Therapeutics to test a new drug called GC4419. The drug is suppose to prevent or decrease mouth pain and ulcers (oral mucositis). The main purpose is to test the safety and see what effects it has on patients and their cancer and to find the highest dose that can be given safely. The drug is suppose to protect the good cells in your mouth from the radiation. The only worry I have is that it could also protect the cancer. My local ent thinks it would be good if the drug actually will help prevent the mouth sores. Knowing now what you went through would you have participated?

Curt,

Tough call on the new drug. I had some mouth pain, A lot of if it was radiation scatter from metal dental fillings. Ouch. Later on the pain was deep in the throat. My cancer was BOT which might be lower than the tonsils. ie, Tonsils cancer may be worse for mouth sores.

Glad to see your treatment plan has firmed up and you have a start date. To me, that was a good first step. Use the time you have now wisely. Eat, have fun, and get as much work done as you can. Come December things you take for granted as easy will become difficult. I am thinking car, garage, gutters, yard work, house maintenance.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Curt, I echo HockeyDad's happiness that you have gotten a start date, you're on your way now!

I have no idea why I was allowed by the fates to skip all the mouth sores, but the fact is that I was. I'd love to give you an answer to that question, but I honestly am not qualified to do so, and anything I said would be what is politely called "rectal data." I'm truly sorry I don't have anything to recommend.

Perhaps someone else will jump in here and save the day? Anyone?

Good luck, Amigo, that's as much as I have, sorry!