Bethers, I can't tell you how painful it is to read all this. Damn. Wish I could help in some way.

Numbing: I do hope that the lidocaine helps you. Try it straight if diluting it doesn't do the trick. I also found that just keeping it in my mouth for a minute or two or whatever the prescription said didn't really help. I needed to hold it in there and swish it for at least 5 full minutes to get any kind of numbing effect.

Nausea: I was on Fenergan and then later Carafate liquid. Neither helped. It wasn't until I finally got some of the old tried and true Compazine that I got any relief at all. And that was after three solid months of non-stop nausea. So if what you're getting doesn't help, please ask about Compazine.

Voice: yes, no surprise to hear you're losing yours. Do not despair, it will come back fine. I couldn't speak above a whisper for the better part of 2 months, maybe more. You will get better.

Overall: DO NOT DESPAIR. I know I said this before, but it bears repeating. You WILL get through this. The side effects of neck radiation are horrible. They start out bad and get worse. But they do improve eventually. You have two tough weeks ahead of you and then another period of weeks to a few months where things will be equally tough, maybe even tougher. But everything I've read that you've written here has me convinced that you're a strong and smart person.

Lean on all of us. Ask your doctors every stupid question. Mainly, be of good heart because I'm convinced you're going to be fine.

And I'm never wrong!

With you.
David 2