Update from Marc in Washington DC 4 1/2 weeks after last radiation treatment for Stage 4 SCC in Tons

Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving to all. I had my 34th and last radiation treatment on October 22, and today is November 22. My treatment began June-August with four treatments of Cisplatin, Taxitir and (for 72 hours via infusion pump) 5FU, 3 weeks apart, over 12 weeks, followed by 34 radiation treatments between early September and October 22. For the first 4 weeks of radiation I had Erbitux once a week by infusion, but the doctor stopped after 4 treatments of Erbitux instead of the planned 7. The tumor in my tonsil disappeared completely very early in the chemo phase, but of course I had all the rest of the treatments regardless. I had a very hard time with the radiation. The radiation oncologist - Dr. Daniel Clarke of Silver Spring, MD - who was wonderful, had to stop for a week in the middle because I had such a severe reaction in my mouth and throat. Nothing helped the pain, not Oxycontin, Morphine or Fentanyl patches. In fact, a few days ago, still in considerable pain in the mouth and throat, I stopped the narcotics because they are so addictive and they weren't helping. I am having the predicted mucus problem. It covers my mouth and throat. My top and bottom teeth stick together and I find brushing doesn't clean it unless I add baking soda to the toothpaste, and that helps, but the mucus is constant. I avoided the feeding tube altogether and have managed to stay alive and hydrated with Ensure, which even after a month I still cannot taste, and ice tea. Even plain water burns my mouth. My newest problem since about 4 days ago is dizziness. When I stand up from a sitting position I get dizzy and almost black out. Could it be one of the meds I'm still taking? I'm taking Mucinex, an antibiotic, an antiviral, an antifungal (I've had thrush twice in the past month), and Ibuprofin. When will I feel better? Does anyone care to share any helpful advice? Warm wishes to all and many thanks. Marc in Washington DC