Oh your poor dad, he's sick, tired, in pain, scared to death and probably thinks the pain means that he has fought for nothing. On top of that he probably thinks it is his job to provide for his family and to be the strong one and he just can't anymore because he is at the end of his tether.

Somehow you have to reassure him that he has not let you down, and his feelings and emotions (including his fear) are perfectly understandable. You can also be sure that if his under ear pain has responded to antibiotics then it probably is an infection and isn't caused by any cancer.

When I read about the ulcer, I was not surprised as radiation makes everything heal so slowly. I thought it was quite logical that he would still have sores and ulcers. Alex's sores actually kept developing after the radiation and I am sure he still had one when he went for the PET 12 weeks later.

You have been such an educated and caring support for your Dad and it is just a few more weeks to the PET. If you could just hold it together for just a few more weeks, and know that we are all rooting for you, your dad and your whole family.