.................you fill in the blank. I guess it all depends on the day. Dave has now had 10 of 20 rounds of radiation to his thyroid, and it's the pits! He has a very, very sore throat, can hardly swallow, and can barely talk. It's back to hot cereal, milkshakes and smoothies most of the time. When he takes his pain meds he is able to eat some soft food, but nothing too spicey. Anyway, he's still maintaining good spirits and still tries his best to get together with his coffee buddies as often as he can. I was asked as to why they didn't just remove the thyroid, which is basically a pretty simple surgery. I asked the same thing. I, of course, was thinking of myself and how much easier it would be to take care of Dave after having the surgery verses radiation, rather than considering the risks to Dave. I guess I let my guard down on that one. Anyway, surgery has the risk of infection and that would be a huge, life-threatening, problem. Dave's immune system is such that he can't really afford an infection, and the doctors don't want him in or near a hospital unless it's an emergency. Now, I understand their reasoning, and I feel like a total jerk wanting the easy way out. We will get through this radiation and onto better days.