I really felt kind of proud of my mental attitude regarding my RADs. I was so anxious and terrified at first but I settled right into my treatment schedule and have pretty much been a trooper. Now, I have completed 18 treatments and I am anxious all over again. I have lost a significant patch of hair in the back of my head (behind my ear) that I didn't anticipate. The RO had mentioned hairloss above my ear, but not behind. That really threw me - I know, just vanity. My throat is sore, my mouth sores are being pretty well controlled with Gelclair. It tastes awful (not really taste, just a bitter taste in my mouth for a long time). I have lost most of my sense of taste (bitter and sweet seem the best right now) which was expected. I have 2 really badly swollen Occipital Nodes in the back of my head that caused me great concern. The RO sent me straight back to the ENT surgeon and he confirmed that they are not cancerous, but highly pissed off lymph nodes from the RADs. That was a huge relief! I know that the worst is yet to come and I know that is weighing on me heavily, but I still remain more interested in knowing before it happens than being shocked and taken off guard as I was with this hair loss. 12 more treatments and I will be finished (hopefully). My RO has always said "approximately" 30 treatments which makes me a little nervous. I am seeing a psych that specializes in cancer and RAD patients. She says I am doing well and have "lots of great coping skills" but I am learning how to compartmentalize the fear and grief of the cancer dx so that it doesn't take over my life. I think overall I am doing well, but waiting for the other shoe to drop. RIght now, I am getting by with Percocet and Zofran for some nausea on occasion. I think I will probably need more in the next week or two. How do your guys think I am doing? I am still swallowing and eating, but soft foods and lots of water while eating. RO says I should be able to swallow throughout because just one side of my throat is being treated with Parotid cancer. We shall see.

1/11/16 Parotid Tumor Removal
1/14/16 Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Dx Stage 2, Low grade
1/29/16 Tumor Board agrees 30 IMRT RAD
2/12/16 PET says no MET, but "bilateral tonsils reactive"
2/17/16 RAD treatment began