Jamie-

Hang in there...for my husband it started getting bad around the 3rd week. Everything the others here have told you about chemo/radiation at the same time is what we were told...and my husband is now cancer free...so, though it was "hell" we are both glad it was done that way. This is especially true for my husband because he did not have a neck dissention, because they found the cancer after his surgery. The chemo was not only to help the radiation work better but to catch anything that had spread into the lymph nodes.
My husband had the worst reaction to treatment that the cancer care center had ever seen. We are not sure why... and as everyone tells you here ...everyone reacts differently. My husband found the Aquaphor and Biafine to be helpful and yes, make sure it is all washed off and that your mom's neck is clean before radiation...it will make the reaction worse. Unfortunately my husband developed 2nd and 3rd degree burns from his upper cheeks to his upper chest area. The physical therapists that treated him when he was hospitalized (the week all radiation & chemo ended) were GREAT! They put Silver Sulfadiazine Cream USP 1% (referred to as silvadene cream) on his skin...this is a prescription medication that they put on burn victims. It was amazing...my husband said it feels cool going on and though we changed it several times a day...removing it with gauze soaked in saline solution...he developed NO scars and his skin is beautiful! It healed in 2 weeks...we were utterly amazed at the quickness of the healing. I hope your mom doesn't have to deal with any of this, but just in case...ask about that cream.

As far as the ulcers in the mouth...my husband's were horrible. He had to eat via his PEG tube, even for water, for 6 months. The baking soda and water solution worked great to clear out the "gunk" and help with the irritation...salt made things worse and really made the "dry mouth" issue unbearable. He also used carbonated water to get the really thick "gunk" out of his throat...for some reason it didn't hurt.

I hope this helps a little. I am also in Southern California, so if you want to send me a private email I will give you my phone #. I don't mind receiving calls any time of the day or night!

Sending lots of prayers and love...

Lorie

Lorie/wife of Don, DX:8-7-03, Tonsil cancer left side stage III, IMRT x 35, 6 chemo (Cisplatin/Taxol), clear CT Scan 12-26-2003. Mets to both lungs & AML 11-6-05, mets to brain Jan 2006, mets to liver & bones April 2006, passed away July 20, 2006.