Hello all! I had my second of 33 RTs today. I have had something strange happen this afternoon-- I have developed a very hard large (feels like about two inches across) tender area at the top of my neck incision (just under my ear). The rest of the incision is no harder and no more swollen than usual, but I am definitely feeling a lot of pressure under my ear and even a little into my back teeth. Is this typical of lymphedema? Is this just coincidental to happen my 2nd day of radiation? I don't know if I should be worried-- but this is not comfortable!

Well, the tenderness was gone when I got up this morning but the left side of my neck and face were tight and swollen. The RO looked at it this morning and felt my parotid salivary gland is inflamed. The ENT agreed, put me on an antibiotic in case of bacterial infection, and told me to push liquids, massage the area, and apply warm compresses. The ENT said I could be a little dehydrated, or this could be from the radiation, or it could just be bad luck. I said it must be bad luck. Either that or I am on the advanced program to develop side effects from RT-- it has only been 3 treatments! Hope this is no indication of what is to come!

I got my parotid gland after the 1st treatment. It has finally gone down some but zapped that sucker for saliva early and hard. :o) I had forgotten or I would have commented for you. Sorry!

Michele in IL

Michele,

Thanks for your response. How long did it take your parotid to go down? I have been trying to follow your posts to see how you were doing as you are about three weeks ahead of me with the RT. How have all the other side effects been for you so far?

The gland is better but not sure it is totally down. Some of the dissection scar has tightened up (inside or the scar itself) from radiation so it is rather tight right now too.

I had trouble from after the 10th treatment to about the 15th treatment. I am at 18 right now and the last couple of days have just been tired and so-so. I was having really bad days of hurting, etc. and now not so much. Kind of odd...don't feel all that bad right now...but Monday may be an entirely different thing! :o)

It is nice to follow someone and see how they are doing - that is what Nate82 and I have been doing as well. He started about the same time as I did too.

I am Michele Forrester on face book if you want to look it up - have a few posts there on how I am doing. Just let me know you are from OCF when you request friends.

Feel free to ask any questions. Happy to help you along with anything I can.

Michele in IL