Hi Laurie - my experience with radiation (only) wasn't bad at all. Like the guy above, I drove myself to treatment every day, but it was also only an 8 minute drive. I did have some dry skin around the neck area, worse on the left side where the radiation was more concentrated. But, as recommended I used Aquaphor morning and evening and the skin never ruptured into open sores. I also took their advice and wore no shirts with collars for about 3 months.

Losing pretty much all my appetite and taste was the worst thing of all. The mouth was sore most of the time and with no appetite I just had to force the Ensure down, 5 to 7 bottles per day. The docs wanted 7 but a lot of days 5 was all I could do.

Many people have said I had a very easy time through the radiation treatment, with very few side effects. I agree, it was a lot easier for me than for others.

Who knows if you will be one of the lucky ones, it's certainly possible.

good luck with it.

Tony

Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good