This is a week after update from my last radiation treatment. I did have the mouth sores creeping in and taking away the fun of eating. The worst was over the weekend when it seemed that the pain wouldn't go away. Today I am eating with no pain. The sores are going away and my energy level is getting back to normal. I am getting slightly better by the day and pushing myself more. I attribute my progress to the meticulous daily care and my docs treatment plan. I have three weeks left of tax season and will probably wait until the end to post any updates since I don't have too many side effects. I wish the members who are going through treatment now or getting ready the best. My advice is not to attach yourself to any outcomes (funny I've heard this from someone else) and to use every tool you have in your toolbox to ward off the side effects. You can email me if you have any questions. YOU GOT THIS!

Yeah!!!! so glad you are feeling good!

Fish:
Fantastic news you are having as few side effects as you are. I too had very few side effects, so it's great to see another getting through treatment relatively easily.

Bart taught me that "don't attach to outcomes" thing too; I sing his praises to everyone as that was the single most important piece of advice anyone gave me; it truly made the journey through treatment tolerable.

Once again, congrats.

Tony

Fish,

I love your attitude! I wish you the best and am glad you are doing well.

Katherine

Would you believe the only day of work I missed this tax was because of the flu?!?! I am four weeks out and feeling great! I have dry mouth every single morning and the first cup of coffee has no flavor. My taste buds are slowly appearing and disappearing. My energy level seems a little bit off. The day after tax season I cut two medium sized trees down and corded the wood. I mowed the lawn that day also. I was sore the next day but I'm assuming its because I'm an accountant and not a lumberjack. I am eating healthy and trying to stay away from the sweets. It wouldn't matter anyway....I had a thin mint the other day and could only taste the mint! Any suggestions on the dry mouth? Its only bad in the morning.

Fish

Hi Fish,

Thanks for a really encouraging post! I'm delighted that you've done so well.

On the dry mouth issue, get and chew Dentyne Tropical twist gum, it's sweetened with Xylitol and very effective in keeping the mouth wet as long as you chew it. My dentist recommends it, and I can see why.

Good luck, amigo!

Bart

Hi Fish,

The salivary glands basically shut down when sleeping, and is worse with those who sleep with their mouths open. A humidifier may help. There are lycra chin straps for snorers to keep the mouth shut, and believe it or not, some I heard taped thier mouth closed, which some spouses may be happy with lol. To help with dry mouth, maybe drink a glass of water before sleeping, have some water handy table side, so you don't have to travel far at night. I also used Biotene dry mouth gel in my mouth, lips, tongue also before sleeping, as well as brushing and rinsing with Biotene dry mouth products in the evening. I also used the Biotene dry mouth spray, if I woke up at night taking a drink of water water, sprayed my mouth, and went back to sleep. Biotene changed the toothpaste formula, but I still stick with it, and is more readily available for me from the pharmacy stores.

I used Xylitol containing mouth lozenges in my water bottle, and it dissolved, and that helped with the mouth dryness, but never did it at night. The same with the dry mouth stick tablets. I never used them when sleeping, and doubt I would.

I hope this helps.

So encouraging to hear that someone could work and function normally through the treatment. After 9 of them I'm starting to make excuses for myself (I'm too tired to go out etc)although after breakfast I seem to perk up.

What does "Don't attach to outcomes" mean?

Hi Alpaca,

Your question about outcomes was addressed to fish, so I'll put my reply in PM after I post this.

Warm regards,

Bart

Hi Fish - Ditto on the xylitol sweetened gums, I chew Trident which also uses xylitol, but i have to stay away from the cinnamom Trident which is so strong it sets my mouth on fire (and I love cinnamon).

I also bought a humidifier, keep it beside the bed and run it at night while sleeping. It's one of the smaller humidifiers so it runs out of water after about 4 hours, but it seems to help keep the throat a little less dry during the night. And of course I keep a glass of water bedside, that helps also.

I thought my taste was returning really fast, but 12 weeks out of treatment now while I can taste everything, nothing tastes as good as it used too. Even coconut cream pie yesterday (Easter) tasted only mildly good.

You're doing great in your recovery, I don't think my strength has returned anywhere near as fast as yours. I know I wouldn't be up for cording a tree into firewood.

keep fighting
Tony