BOOST

Hi Kara,

I'm in no way an expert. But from my experience. After they started the boost or resimulation or whatever it is called. What I did notice in time was the redness outside on the face shrunk overall because they were now focusing on a smaller area. But inside the mouth, I actully think I got worse (not much and not bad) just a bit worse. Because you are still receiving the same dosage, it is just more concentrated. So I got a few more sores right around the tonsil area and it got a bit harder to swallow. Nothing unbearable.

I looked at it as a garden hose with a nozzle on the end of it. Originally it was turned to a big spray pattern to water a big area. But then the boost was like twisting the nozzle to a hard narrow spray for like washing down the driveway. Same amount of water through the hose both ways, just directed differently.

-Blessings

Rick

Rick, thanks for asking....

At 4 months out of treatment, I'm doing well. Got some saliva and about 30-40 % of my taste back. I had a CT scan done last week and see my oncologist and ENT this week for results. So far they've been pleased enough that they waved off the planned neck dissection.

I hope things go as well for you (and evryone else here). The 2 or 3 weeks following the end of your treatment are the worst, after that things improve markedly.

I wish I had found this board earlier, theres a lot of info here I wish I had earlier. But, hopefully, I'll be here for a long time to help others following me on this road like some others have helped me.

Best of luck with your treatments, we'll all be watching and praying for your successful completion.

Mike 

Ditto, Kara & Julie!  My husband just wants to get through it. He researched heavily as soon as he was diagnosed, and once he was satisfied that his treatment was 'right on' and he had tremendous confidence in his team at Huntsman Cancer Institute, he just does what he's advised to do and is kind of just waiting it out.  He has a very positive attitude, but I am so grateful that Rick & all of you post here and everyone is so very supportive and doing so well at each step along the way.  Thank you so much. G.

Mike, such good news for you! Congrats. Thanks for posting. Gwen