Cancer Support

If there was a chance that a tooth had to be pulled during or after the chemo (plaxitracin?.... a nasty one) then bleeding or infection would be a major problem. Chemo plays hell with the immune system and electrolyte balance. I found it very odd that the chemo would kill sense of taste but enhance the sense of smell to near painful levels.

I still do not know how my wife was able to do all that she did for me plus take care of the puppies, cats and the bird while continuing her teaching and grading. She must have slept sometimes between feeding me every two hours, often by pouring the puree she had made directly down the stomach tube without even waking me. The alternative would have been hospitalization but there is so much of a curing effect from puppies and home.

Best thing to do has been mentioned already, get checkups often and catch the cancer early.

I must add: All praise and thanks to the wonderful staff at David Grant Research Hospital at Travis AFB. They were superb, even to an old sailor.

If you are young, get the vaccination against the HPV virus. If you know young people, urge them to do the same.

Cheers