Thanks all. I really appreciate your taking the time to reply to me.

The team was surprised by how red my neck had gotten - and asymmetrically. My regular doctor is out of town and the replacement doctor was great. She figured out a sore on the side of my tongue was due to secondary ionization from a gold crown that isn't covered during radiation.

My partner asked about stopping or doing fewer treatments and the doctor was calm but firm citing the literature. The she looked at me and said, "you've come this far. Keep going"

I forgot to ask about the asymmetry (have been assuming it's due to the face they are giving my a higher does on the side that had the primary tumor and metastatic lymph node) and sent an email after the visit.

Eating and hydration were evaluated as good; I am identical to the weight I was at my first pre surgery visit (this is because I put on extra weight between surgery and radiation.) Christine put me on the right track with eating and hydration. and I haven't deviated. My speech and swallowing pathologist who I visited earlier in the day said I was doing well. I can't emphasize enough to anyone just starting radiation how important the neck, tongue, and swallowing exercises are. She also contradiated my regular radiation oncologist by saying in her opinion I have no restrictions as long as I cut things small, chew very wel, and drink a lot of liquids with the food.

The other things they mentioned:
- sleep is unlikely to help me with the fatigue at this point
- if I can "change my view" at least a few times a day - go outside, go see a movie, watch people at an indoor mall - or should improve my mood. Not so sure how that works but I will give it a shot.

8 more treatments to go. I know I have it much easier than so many other folks; sorry to complain. I promise to pay it forward.