Sandy, one week down six to go. Glad you are still able to eat fairly well. It will get progressively worse as time goes by so enjoy it now.

I was treated with radiation to the left side for two different tumors. One was behind my top left molar and the other was inside my left cheek. I didnt have any lymph nodes involved, both were a stage 1. My doc told my my salivia would suffer and couldnt guarantee that it would recover suffeciently. Even the right side would take some scatter radiation.

Im about 20 months post radiation and I am almost 100% as far as salivia goes. The left doesnt work but the right side does. I do not need to carry a water bottle like most do post radiation. Even though everybody is different in their side effects and responses to tx, thats one area that I did ok with. There is hope for you to get thru this with similar results smile

Dont forget to keep stretching your mouth open as wide as possible several times per day so you dont end up with trismus. Thats a side effect that I struggle with daily.

Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile