QueenKong I recommend gentle massage to help drain any build up of lymphatic fluid. Stephen my husband is 13 months post mandibulectomy/lymph removal and the swelling varies depending on his level of activity and the coldness of the weather.

A couple of months post radiation, his face got swollen very tightly. And within a few hours it was dark red and huge. He was about to fall asleep but I insisted he get up and look in the mirror. At that point, we got in the car and drove straight to the emergency. It was a little scary but we didn't panic. The staff at the emergency were very happy we showed up when we did because it was an infection. They told us that after radiation people are more prone to infections. They are easy to treat with double antibiotic intravenous drips. Once the initial doses were given, they sent us home and we had daily visits from home health nurses come and administer the antibiotics for the next couple of weeks. We also had to go to emerge once a day for an extra dose.

At first Stephen was scared because he didn't know the difference between a general infection and an infection of his new jaw bone. Once we were explained that jaw bone infection would be much more rare, painful and that the oral skin would show signs of redness but not so much swelling we got the hang of it. We don't worry about his jaw swelling anymore, its a part of our daily reality though.

Once you have gained your strength and your body has healed from the trama of the surgery you can prepare for the radiation by focusing on sleeping, eating, drinking 2 litres of water and doing some jaw and neck stretches.

Stephen was lucky to see the speach pathologist and physiotherapist a week or so prior to his radiation. There is evidence that starting your stretching exercises before treatement increases your overall mobility.

I hope you are doing well and focusing on what you need today. All of this info can be put aside until you meet your oncology team.

Welcome to the OCF family, Sophie