Subject: Jen wellness update #23 (08Aug00) Saliva
From: Karl Horton
Jen Watchers,
Jen's big news yesterday was Jell-O. She got permission to give it a try and
succeeded in squeezing a few spoonfuls down. Hoorah.
Another humorous interlude; it is all my fault that Jen's radiation
oncologist now thinks she is a bit mad. I had this great idea about what to do
when Jen gets "dry mouth" later on....
Jen wrote:
Dr. Quivey,
I understand that I have my radiation simulation next week and that I will begin
regular radiation with chemo on Monday, August 14th. I'm psyching up for it.
I also understand from you that the salivary glands get affected and dry
mouth becomes a real problem. Given that at this point I have a serious excess
of saliva that I am constantly vacuuming out of my mouth with a little machine,
is there any sense in, as it were, "harvesting and saving" my own
saliva and freezing it for this time to come during radiation. I know that this
sounds like a strange idea, but it seemed worth asking.
Please reply at your earliest convenience so that we can know if we should
start collecting unpleasant little spit containers in the freezer...
Jennifer
Jean Quivey replied:
Dear Jennifer,
You get the award for the most creative idea of the day. No, I suspect you would
not benefit from making popsicles out of your sputum.....besides, it will make
the content of your freezer a little more appetizing.....with them that is.....
Dr. Quivey
regards, Karl
