Hi Lyn,
The first half of my mom's treatments went relatively well. I honestly think it was the brachytherapy that made her mouth so sore. Through the inital treatments of IMRT and Erbitux she did fairly well. She had some issues with the mucus, tussionex, a prescription helped that, she had some sore tongue issues but the oral balance products, sodium chloride water and lidoccaine aided her through. As for hair loss, she did lose a little through the back corner of her head where the rads exited. She really didn't lose a lot, it kind of thinned out some, but it has already grown back! My mom's RO did say that if it ever returned her could use rad again-on her, but just today I read on the recurrence forum Pandora said the same.
Oh, my mom has never had any problemwith swallowing, her taste was altered for a few weeks, but it is now back full strengh. Aquaphor works well on the burns, at least for the Erbitux rash.
Lyn, I think it's in your best interest to go for it, and think POSITIVE! Don't let the negativity take over, fear is such a tool that will rule all of your thoughts. You can do this!
Best of luck to you.
Donna