Hey Pepper. I'm a 26 yr old OC Survivor cohabiting with my boyfriend. I've had a hemiglossectomy, radical neck dissection and a third surgery to remove some cancer left behind. Just finished 7 weeks of RADS. First I will start by saying that my boyfriend was very supportive through all my surgeries and when I was finally feeling up to it everything was fine. Though kissing was kept to a minimum and was closed mouthed. He never once (even still, 6 months out from diagnosis) asked me to do "anything else" if you know what I mean. And I'm really grateful for his understanding in this matter. I honestly am not sure when I'll feel comfortable doing that again but, just like this whole entire process - everything in time. About 3 weeks into radiation I was in too much pain, not eating normally and on 6 percocet a day. Sex was the furthest thing from my mind. I'm almost 4 weeks out of radiation and starting to feel a little normal again. Hopefully I can give you a little hope in saying that all kissing is not closed mouth anymore. We did sleep in the same bed all throughout BUT we have a unique situation in that my boyfriend is the one with sleep issues in general and will get up in the middle of the night to sleep in the second bedroom so that he doesn't wake me. He also gets up very early for work. I know this has been a trying time for my boyfriend as well but for once I had to be selfish and take care of myself and do what I knew to be right for me. Things will get better. You'll hear that a lot on here and eventually get sick of it. lol But trust me. It does.

MissB