HiMark and Kathy,

Thanks for the good wishes. Hey we have over a foot here in NJ too!! Brrrrrr its cold out there. I just stay in the heat and look at it..LOL
I’ve been keeping busy—getting ready for Superbowl Sunday. Im having some friends over.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend…HAPPY SNOW!!

Love always,
Elena

Yes Mark almost all of my taste was back within 2 months. However even today there are just a couple of things that still don’t taste quite right. Wine and tea, some tomato sauces and some vinagar based dressings. But it’s a small sacrifice. OMG do I eat now! I haven’t gained much weight back because I don’t eat much at one time. But oh boy do I enjoy what I do eat. I absolutely promise you that you will get there. But it takes time. Just keep spitting!

y

Hi Mark and kathy,
The mucus is herendous. I hate it. It never caused me to vomit, that sounds awful. Sleeping thru the night is certainly a challenge. Im up constantly spitting into tissues. But my sleep got better when they prescribed the liquid morphine. I take 1/2 tsp every 3 hrs and it helps with sleep. As far as the patch-I know Mark has one and so did I but I was never quite sure if it helped…cuz I still have pain.

Are you gonna get the machine. Maybe I rely on it too much but it such a help. Oh and another idea for the mucus—does Mark goggle/swoosh? I was using plain salt mixed with baking powder and it seems to cut into the mucus. Try to do that often. Are you guys home yet?? Yeah get out of there…maybe he will feel better at home. I dont go out and my social life is on hold, but at home I set up all my little areas FOR ME… And then I try to pass the time with SCRABBLE… Im sure your kids would love that.

this is certainly a walk thru hell… but Mark seems to be taking a beating..I wish we were all local to each other. But the comp is great, let me know if theres anything I can do. hang in there. Tell him he can do it.OH…and I had my break down moments. All it takes is looking into the mirror and seeing the changes—-BUT DONT LET THAT STOP US——-WE CAN DO IT!
elena

FYI zoloft takes a while to kick in, up to 6 weeks. They gave me zoloft but you know I don’t think it helped me much at all. I kept waiting and waiting to feel better and it wasn’t happening. I hope it works for Mark. And I don’t want to sound like a drug pusher but xanex it a quick acting anti- anxiety med. Maybe you guys should ask about that. Zoloft is meant to be a long term medication. Once you start it they like you to take it for a minimum of 6 months.

I hope he feels better soon. I had the suction machine and it did help.

Just wanted to thank you for the punch! It actually made me smile a bit, because that’s EXACTLY what I want to do to this dang thing So, gracias. :)

Hi M,
As for the trays, I think you mean the flouride treatments? No, I don’t use them. I am brushing as often as possible with Biotene toothpaste. The perscription flouride toothpaste my dentist gave me still burns my mouth. I have regained most of my taste but now suddenly everything is very salty. Not sure what its about. I am posting anew right now. Best wishes to you – don’t give up the fight!
Hugs
Anna

Hello – thanks for your thoughtful comments. Yep, I’m back and full of energy for the moment…well, at least until Monday which is my next round of chemo. Then back to no energy for a few days…lol. The nausea was a bit rough.

We are indeed in this together. How is your husband doing with his PEG? Have you decided on a direction for the treatment plan? For me, waiting to get into treatment made me a bit anxious as I just wanted to dive in. :) As of next week, I’ll be half way done…it’s going pretty quickly.

I hope both you and your husband are doing well. I look forward to your updates.
All My Best,
Kim

Thank U…Im hanging in there. I do have lots of family and friends and this blog which I am soooo thankful for. Im sure Im just in a funk, when I wake up tomorrow I will be better. How is Mark doing? How did your lil guy do in his tourny? I hope all goes well and sson enough this willbe in our PAST!! Be well My Best regards to you and your family.
Elena

Aww…thanks for the compliment. Look at anna on here, it looks like she used the alternate chemo you were asking about. Maybe she has some advice for U.

OK…so your hubby will be going thru treatment. I dont like reading the negative (Im a sissy) lol…I try to stay positive thru this and so far everything is going well. The nurses keep telling me “EVERYONE with out type of cancer gets thru it.”

And I have to say Im 2 wks into rads and Im just starting to feel soreness in my throat. The Chemo wasnt too bad either.

Are they telling you hubby to get a Feeding tube? Are they mentioning “Ethyol” its a shot everyday B4 rads that will save his saliva glands? Thats what was making me nauseas….once I stopped, the nausea went away and its so much easier.

He must be anxious to get started, I know I was. I want this thing OUT Well good luck. Sorry to meet under these circumstances but WE WILL Conuer this for sure…..my best to your husband.

Elena