Hi Mary:
With 21 down and 12 to go you are getting to the point where any side effects from the radiation will begin to be at their worst. They will continue to worsen through the rest of the treatments and will stick around for up to 7 weeks after treatment complete. I hate to be the bearer of this possibly bad news, but I figure you are better fore-armed than surprised later.

If pain is a problem you will want to make sure you have enough pain meds. Likewise if dry mouth is a problem you will want to have a solution on hand and available. Mucositis, rope saliva and thrush are other problems that can occur that you will have wanted to think about ahead of time. Maybe you will get lucky and these problems won't occur, but if they do, you were prepared.

How is your mother's psychological state? Is she maintaining a stiff upper lip or is she becoming depressed? Having cancer is bad enough, but all the treatment is also a big attack on your body and that double whammy can be a significant thing for some people.

You seem to be doing a great job as caregiver, keep coming back here when you need more info or if you just need a little psychological boost for yourself. Many people have gotten through this, with your help, she will too.

Tony

Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good