Hi QueenKong. I haven't had a radical neck dissection but just want to express my sympathy. Aren't there stronger painkillers you can take/ask for? When you have the port put in, can you ask for more pain relief? Or is that what the port is for? Whatever the reason for the pain, I firmly believe you should be relieved of it in this waiting and healing time before RT and chemo.

I found Oxycodone wonderful for moderate pain and great for its feel good factor but if I had severe pain I'd want something stronger. Sometimes Oxy made the pain worse but allowed me to cope with it better. Weird ... we're all wired in strange ways.

Can you talk to a dietitian about weight and nutrition? I'm not sure if you need to put on more weight but I do think you should be out of pain as much as possible and enjoying your food. You sure as hell won't enjoy it for a while when you lose your taste. Then it will be a duty not a pleasure.

Are you having counselling? Seeing a cancer nurse for emotional support? Relaxation exercises? You are going through a horrible ordeal and need to be bathed in support.

Best wishes
Maureen