Hello Tessa, welcome to this forum.

The effects of radiation on saliva are felt almost immediatly. The amount of time it takes to gain back any saliva (if at all) is quite variable. Each person will have different recovery. Right now I don't think anyone can tell you what you will experience. I did not have Ethyol (amifostine) but several here have. It seems some are able to tolerate it well, others have had trouble and it makes them ill. As I was told it was developed for the military to combat radiation sickness if we were ever to have a nuclear attack. (I have not confirmed that). It does appear to help some people with salivary function especially after the radiation treatments end.

Many here have been through what you are going through. We are here to help as you progress through treatments. It can be scary at times (I know that first hand) There are several things you can do to help adjust to the low amount of salivia. Get a good humidifier or two and put one in your bedroom. Stay well hydrated, most of us had to carry a water bottle for quite a while. There are several dry mouth products out there, The Biotene product line Laclede web site is one that many of us found to be great. You can find Biotene at larger drug stores. Eating will require more liquids. I found that Whole milk worked very well as a saliva substitute.

Your bigger challenge for the weeks ahead will be maintaining weight and fighting fatigue. Try to make this your only job.

You have several good things going for you, including that you are being treated at one of the best (if not the best) centers in the US.

Radiation is a beast no doubt, but it works.

Take care and feel free to ask questions and/or vent here. Tell us a little more about your self. Do you have family or friends to support you as you get through this?

Take care.