Hi Lisa, & Welcome to your new family!!! You are never alone anymore, you have us all, to talk with, to vent...anything. No questions to dumb or to anything! Ask away! You & I have/had the same SCC, what is on your L I had on the R. The radiation is no picnic! Get some Adavan! The mask is a bit much! I needed the Adavan, to help me stay calm during the radiation treatments! Take the drugs, they help! I hope the staff where you go for your radiation will prove to be supportive & a source of comfort for you also, I loved my "team". Well, you will loose weight, you will feel drained, your tongue & outer neck will be sore. You WILL get through it...one day, one week at a time. There are many drinks (fortified) that you will be able to drink. When the time comes for that, just ask...you will get all the best advice here from this group! (not from me, as I had the peg) I also had a IV daily, before rad. of Amofostine, this is (yet) to help with the saliva glands get working again! Just yesterday I had a gastroscopy done to strech my esophagus, (a side effect from radiation.) Its no big deal! I rather enjoyed my wait on the gurney, reading a magazine! I am able to eat (not everything of course) & just have water with me - always! My point Lisa, please try not to get discouraged, as your mental state has such an impact on your health. Aren't we so glad for all the medical advances available to us today? Go have a big thick hamburger & fries, & a sub & pizza etc...everyday, you are closer to staying cancer free!!! Best Wishes! Dianne