Hi there.. .the average for radiation and chemo is either 6 small doses of chemo, or three large during the time of your radiation.

Radiation generally runs from 33-35 treatments delivered daily over 6-7 weeks with weekends off.

Usually the first 3-4 weeks are okay, after that food tastes like crap, everything burns or hurts going down, you end up with mouth sores, and swallowing becomes a problem.

This continues for an average of 2-3 weeks post treatment as radiation is cumulative and the worst of it is at the end.

Pain management is very important.

Also it is unusual that they only took 6 nodes - the standard is 30 and up, and normally with HPV related cancers they do radiation and chemo first because it responds well to to this treatment, often - unless the tumor is in the tonsil, they don't even do surgery so this leads to my next question.

Are you being seen at a ccc?

best of luck getting through it and eat up now.

Pain wise... some have a brutal time, some have an okay time. The rest fall into the middle with doable but bad.

Nutrition has a direct bearing on how you do. Eat healthfully, as long as you can. Make sure you get enough hydration and nutrition. This is how you heal and prevent serious stress on an already stressed out body. Nutrition boosts your immune system, and heals remember that when your loved one is arguing with you to eat or drink your dinner!!!

hugs.