Radiation almost done!

And of course a whole new set of side effects to deal with. As I write this, there are only two more sessions of radiation to go through. I dare say it has become routine. We go down every day after school for the 4 PM appointment. The actual treatment only takes 10 minutes and so we’re out of there at about 4:20. The area they are treating has some overlap with tissues that you really don’t want to get any dose but which do. Close at hand are the left salivary gland and the back of the tongue. As Tim gets to the weekend, his mouth has been getting dry and his ability to discern taste has become troublesome. Many things just don’t taste good since the taste buds are not processing the taste and signaling the brain the way his is used to. Things with salt and/or sour components seem to be the most difficult. So he’s kind of back to some bland foods and cereal. But he is experimenting with foods to see what tastes good and what doesn’t.

In addition he has developed quite a distinct sunburn. Although it’s in an area he doesn’t have any feeling in from the surgery, it looks like it should hurt. He looks like he’s spent a day out in the sun in the middle of summer.

All three of these issues should subside within weeks of the conclusion of radiation which is Tuesday. We are expecting him to be the worst near the end of this coming week since the effects are cumulative and the reaction should peak around then. Hopefully, all of it clears up and we move on.

--bob