I'm recovering from a horrible cold: sore throat, runny nose, cold sore, dry mouth from breathing through it. On my bad side I've had two selective neck dissections and at the moment that side of my neck is tender with one palpable node about the size of a smooth little pea. It's between my ear and collarbone but ironically I can't feel it right now!

I thought I'd give it a month to go down and ring the hospital if it doesn't subside. I'm not anxious, I'm really not, but I feel puzzled about the situation with nodes when we get a virus. I mean how does the lymphatic system work when we get sick when lots of its usual holding stations have gone?

How do other people cope with colds when the mouth is already dry and you can't breathe through your nose?

1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.