 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Sue,
Whether or not you can have massage during radiation will depend on the type of radiation, where it is aimed and how badly you burn. I didn't have it during radiation because no one told me about it until much later, but I think I could have had it for the first 4 weeks. I had XRT and didn't burn neck until 5th week. You need to ask your RO about it.
As to not working, that depends on what you do and how soon the rads hit you. I went down for the count on day 9. Many people are able to work the first three weeks. If you are you also having chemo, it hits you a lot harder. I didn't so can't speak for that.
It's a nasty trip but you can do it. They are many people here to help you through this.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| 
