My black fuzzy sweater did its job.

[alfredo]

I knew my hair was going to come out, so it was no surprise when I saw whiskers all over my sweater.

My jaw has been sore and sensitive for a few days so I knew something was up.

[Solly Mack]

1. I thought about shaving my head bald but the doctor told me to wait and see.

I had some hair loss but nothing really noticeable to others.

How long have you had a beard?

[alfredo]

2. August 22, 1969, the day I left the army.

[Solly Mack]

3. Your beard is older than my husband.

[alfredo]

4. Ha!

Today I vicariously ate a deep dish pizza. It was a real delight.

My wife thinks I desire that she is eating, and has denied herself pleasure. I bugged her to try a pizza from a place I discovered before I went into treatment. She enjoyed it, and I enjoyed watching her pig out.

[Solly Mack]

5. lol! I've done that with my husband.

I'm older than your beard, btw.

The evening before surgery I went to the best little hole-in-the-wall seafood place in Shreveport. We asked around and everyone said if I really wanted good seafood to go there. The kind of Mom & Pop place that only locals know about - it was awesome! I had a great "last" meal.

Now I can only watch my husband enjoy it. Way too spicy for me.

[alfredo]

6. Being landlocked, good seafood is rare here, but we have a small place named "Charlie's Seafood."

They have the best fish sandwich in town. It's a big slab of Cod on a hamburger bun. The filet is thick and twice as long as the bun is wide. Tartar sauce is supplied.

Their business is selling fresh fish, but if you are lucky you can get some ostrich, gator, and turtle soup.

[Solly Mack]

7. Food aside for the moment - How are you doing?

Call about the pain? Did you get that shake?

Ask about the magic elixir? I went through a couple of bottles of it. It will numb the throat. Mine had 7 ingredients, which is about all I can recall about it, other than it being pink.

[alfredo]

8. Yes, I talked to them. Right now Tylenol seems to help. I will ask about the elixir.

Dry mouth bugs me.

[Solly Mack]

9. The first time I got it filled, the pharmacy clerk was going to give me all the bottles

to mix it myself and the pharmacist stopped him. We all laughed. Each bottle of the mixed product was 16 bucks, and I almost got away with everything I needed to mix up three bottles worth for the price of one.

The prescription listed each ingredient and the amount to be used, and the clerk kept bringing bottles of stuff up to the counter and bagging them.

The military hospital wasn't allowed to make the mixture so I had to use another place. They weren't licensed to mix on the spot. I did get some of my money back on it though.

[alfredo]

10. Will it relieve the dry mouth?

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Water's the best. I carry a water bottle with me everywhere, over 7 years out from treatment. It

does get better with time. I take Salagen daily and believe it has helped me greatly. I can now survive 45 to 50 minutes without a sip of water.

[alfredo]

12. My camel back is with me, just like an extension of my arm.

[Solly Mack]

13. No. Numbs the mouth and throat though, and allows you to eat.

Water and dry mouth products, that's what I used. Lots of water - every few minutes I'd drink a sip. I still go through lots of water.

[alfredo]

14. I was thinking of a clove infusion.

[Solly Mack]

15. OK. Don't know much about it.

Let me know how that works for you.

[alfredo]

16. I will wait on it. A bit of nausea right now. Mouth and nose burning.