The hair on the back of the head will grow back but it will take at least a year. At least we can't see it.

Wow,
I had no idea it would take that long

What about the beard?
Everything below the jaw line fell out after week three and now the cheeks areas are patchy.

My whiskers never came back below my chin which is about the only positive thing that came out of the radiation. The whiskers above my chin first came back darker and heavier then settled back to pre Tx normal.

Don-

Another week down...how are you doing? Hanging in there???

[quote=davidcpa]My whiskers never came back below my chin which is about the only positive thing that came out of the radiation. The whiskers above my chin first came back darker and heavier then settled back to pre Tx normal. [/quote]

In my case, I had a beard for over 30 years (For two reasons; primarily I am too lazy to shave every day and secondarily for the amount of money I saved on shaving supplies over three decades) -- I still have my goatee and mustache, but the rest has gone.

Pete,
The only significant beard areas I have left now are also goatee and mustache.

I am OK with that, but I really dislike the bald spot on the back of neck. Maybe I can let the higher hair grow longer to help cover it.

The bald spot will likely fill in this is just the exit radiation.
Give it some time (couple of months).

At this point my sideburns have filled in again (a la Elvis). It is just fortunate that because of the radiation field they are at least symmetric. Everything else with exception of one spot is (still?) dead. The exception is a small patch right under my nose. Not the type of mustache I want!.

M

Stephanie,
I guess I am doing pretty good.
My MO said last week he very rarely has a patient do so well this far along.

Just seven more zaps left now, but as you know the bottom can fall out in that last week.

I developed laryngitis and coughing spells but I don't have much of a sore throat and my mouth is relatively fine (no sores). Although I doubt I could eat solid food; I am not needing to use any of the pain meds yet.

Saliva seem to come and go; not much mucous yet. I really hope the saliva doesn't get worse and dry up; as-is is pretty decent.

I stopped going out to public places because I don't want to catch anything.

Interestingly I was invited to a dinner party last night. They knew I couldn't eat, but figured I might like the company --- I declined Guess now I can't complain to anyone anymore about having "cabin fever".

I am feeling more tired, but not sleeping any more than I normally would, just dragging around the house, pestering the cat, watching TV and reading.

I am still holding all the extra weight I put on and I have never been this heavy in my whole life!

DonB,

Sounds like things are going pretty good for you. So glad to hear and hope it will continue. Only one week to go.. Wow I am sure you can hardly wait.!!

If you are having any problems with dry mounth try the Oral Balance from Biotene. It really helps.

Take care.. Diane

Don,

It sounds like you're doing really well. Are you still able to swallow? And are you stretching your jaw? I've found that the skin around my mouth is super tight, making jaw stretches difficult, but I'm doing my best to stay mobile.

Keep up the good work

- Margaret