I have to rely a lot on sugar free candies and chewing gum during my lessons, which really help to make me speak better throughout the lesson without drinking water. Mark's concern about the teeth is true but I have no alternative. It is impossible to drink water all the time when teaching and after a sip, it only helps for a very short while. More frequent dental check and mouth wash. When I am home, I don't eat candies. I don't speak much and if I have a phone call, I have a bottle of water in my hand. I would consider mouth dryness to be the worst side effect of radiation on me. Others may think differently.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.