tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3415937412580189741.post9066933807237343068..comments2008-04-17T10:50:22.908-04:00Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00822319387747777385noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3415937412580189741.post-18583550553789861252008-04-17T10:35:00.000-04:002008-04-17T10:35:00.000-04:00i just came upon your blog and though i have not read much of it i wish to send you good thoughts. the reason i'm commenting on this particular post is that when i saw your mask it totally reminded me of what i went through in 2003 and into Jan. of 2004. I had mucoepidermoid cancer of the minor salivary glands on the hard and soft palate. a strange place to have it; and i wasn't a smoker...in fact they said smoking was not a cause of that type of head and neck cancer. i went through 3 surgeries, and up into the nasal passage to get it. then they did a forearm freeflap transplant to cover up the hole in the roof of my mouth...and i could get rid of the prosthesis i wore for a while. the 35 radiation sessions weren't too bad, really...i did get quite tired, and eventually it did burn the heck out of my mouth. i lost 35 lbs. in no time flat. i couldn't eat, and could barely drink...i had about 1 ensure a day, that's all i could handle. BUT the good news is, that 4 years post surgery i am still totally cancer free...even though i'm told this can recur as far out as 20 years later. i just totally avoid thinking of that! now, i told you my story...and ONLY to give you hope. you WILL make it, and your mouth will heal and you'll learn to adjust. i wish you well! janJan Doblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12844013803699228989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3415937412580189741.post-71841677859104423922008-04-11T03:10:00.000-04:002008-04-11T03:10:00.000-04:00You SIR are a braver man than I. My mask was so hot when they made it, it burned my face. It's all in the archives! <BR/><BR/>I hated that thing! When my last day came they handed it to me and said I could take it home! LOL WHY??? They said some people like to hang it on the wall or burn it in a fire. I never wanted to see it again. I handed it back! <BR/><BR/>I have no problem with the MRI or CT Scan but I NEVER want that mask on me again. I know it's only like 10 minutes a day.<BR/><BR/>You should feel fine until week 4 or 5 then...well just have some help around.<BR/><BR/>I drank Noni Juice before treatment and Aloe Vera Juice after. The doctors said it wouldn't hurt, but didn't suggest it. But, they couldn't figure out why I sailed through radiation without taking my pain med's. It was just uncomfortable for me and the Chemo/Rad wore me out physically. I'm sure using the feeding tube also helped keep the pain down too.<BR/><BR/>Thank your for your comment on my blog, I left you a comment back.<BR/><BR/>Peace<BR/>B<BR/><BR/>http://beyondtheglassdoor.blogspot.com/Dr. Swillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054768538653182642noreply@blogger.com