All,

It's been awhile since I've posted here so I just wanted to give everyone an update on my progress. I completed my first week of IMRT and chemo (Cisplatin). I started the chemo and rads on a Tuesday, so it's only been four days. I have a few complications that I wanted to run by the forum for feedback:

1. My left side of the neck (where I had the SND) swelled up really bad on the 3rd day. I saw my RO after my tx and he said that it was a salivary gland(?) issue that was really rare - he hadn't seen it in years. But, he said it could be solved by taking Tylenol. I've been taking Tylenol but it hasn't decreased a whole lot yet - I will take it up with my RO tomorrow but just wondering if anyone has experienced this.

2. I developed a really bad cold late on Friday - I can't breathe through my nose, have a bad headache, coughing, dizziness, etc. I also have been hearing very high pitched noises in my ears. Sometimes it will be in one ear, other times in the other ear, and very rarely both. I don't know if this is considered "ringing in the ears". It's a steady high pitched sound that lasts for about 10 seconds or so. I thought it was because of my sinuses but I don't recall having that before when I had a cold. Again, I will mention it to my RO, but wondering if others had this experience before.

3. Related to the info above, is it okay to continue having rads if you have another issue like a severe cold or flu going on?

4. I have 30 rad appointments scheduled, with chemo as a booster. The chemo is scheduled 21 days apart. I've read other's stories on here that indicate they only have 30 IMRTs and 2 Chemo treatments. It sounds like 2 chemo treatments are normal if you only have 6 weeks of rads instead of 7 weeks. I'm tempted to get out of the last chemo treatment if I'm not having rads that day as I don't really see what the benefit could be.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Gina