Hi Cathy:

Just want to welcome you and your mom to the OCF Board. Luckily, you came to the right place to get sage advice from radiation veterans.You'll probably have tons of questions as you go along so feel free to send them our way.

By far, the hardest part is being present while someone you love struggles to eat, get comfy,breathe, sleep, and function in general.There are many moments when running as fast as possible and as far away from the radiation department as possible seems a much saner choice than wading through the hell that is radiation. However, many here subscribe to the motto-"when in hell keep on going" and have made it through and your mom can too.Try really hard (and I didn't believe it right away when I was told by the folks here) to keep in mind that radiation is short term awful for a long term greater good.

Best to you and your mom & keep us posted,

Kim

kcdc
Wife of Dave,diagnosed with Stage III Tonsillar SCC,August '02
Modified radical neck dissection followed by radiation therapy
'There is glory and radiance in the darkness and to see we have only to look"