Make sure you have pain meds and a ride to the pharmacy in line...they may not give you meds until you need them, but at least know WHEN you should ask for them.

I just finished my 25 IMRT's a little over a week ago and because I had no chemo (like you won't have) it IS easier...but still no walk in the park.

I sell on ebay and worked all the way through treatment but I did start sleeping 2 naps worth towards the end. I gave up eating and just did ensure at about 3-4 weeks (took 7 for treatment because of holidays) but I was still drinking/swallowing so no loss of the ability to swallow.

I ended up with the pain patch and hydroco...hoping not to need the patch but it is what it is. Had a mouth of sticky saliva, dry mouth very early for me because they hit the saliva gland first day and swelled it up and put it out of commission early. :o(

Do you have fluoride trays? You will need to rinse with salt/warm water and soda for mouth sores and sticky saliva.

My Dr. also suggested that I take 1 TBSP of honey 3 times a day - one just before treatment, one just after treatment and one 6 hours later. I did that for the first 3-4 weeks but quit when the honey hurt the sores. I do really think it helped...both in keeping the weight on and keeping my mouth healthy. Check google for manuka honey and radiation to see some info on it. Sure can't hurt! I don't know if the Manuka makes a difference or not but I did find some locally and used it.

They will give you some "mouthwash" that will have numbing power to use before eating and for pain...I used it but didn't particularly like it (maybe it just didn't work well for me?) and that is why I went to drinking...the Ensure goes down pretty well for me. Keep your teeth brushed as much as you can - even just with warm water - helps the sores stay clean/healing.

If there is anything you can think of to ask, please do and I will be happy to give my opinion! LOL No charge! Just can't think of anything else right now...

They will make a mask and probably a mouthpiece for you to wear. I did OK with those but you can get meds to make it through if you get stressed being locked down.

Good luck and ask away!

Michele in IL