Thanks for all the reassurances about tight mask! I've just finished my 7th day of radiation. No symptoms so far but met w/Doctor for my first of weekly visits. He said by this time next week I'd have blisters and begin the really painful part. What shocked me was that he said that around 4 weeks it peaks but that then it will be several months before we're talking about success. The tumor will still be there! He said because it is deep in my throat. How about you folks? Did all of this just continue after the radiation? Ugh. This is a wonderful forum. God bless everyone and thanks for all the comments.

I'll be your ray of hope here but take everything I say with a grain of salt because I think I am an exception to the norm. I did not have any side effects, except for a red neck, until I was in my sixth week of treatment. At that point I had the cracking and oozing skin on my neck and bad mucositis in my mouth. The mucositis probably lasted about two weeks after treatment and my neck healed up after about a week. I never really lost my taste either, except sweet, which came back after about a month. I'm sure there are side effects I have yet to experience that will take time to show up, but I finished on July 31st and have been doing really well here lately. I am also in the process of dealing with either a blood sugar issue or an immune system issue, so you're never actually quite done with everything!

So, I am young and I healed really fast, so I'm basically just here to say that it is possible to fare better than the doctors expect. Hang in there!!!!

Nancy,

I didn't start to get really uncomfortable until about the fourth or fifth week of treatment. Miraculously, my skin remained in good shape until about two weeks after radiation ended and even then it was only a couple of raw spots and some serious dryness. My poor tongue, on the other hand, is still raw and sore nearly six weeks after treatment ended. As everyone one here says, everyone is so different and your results may vary.

Also, as far as the mask, I got to the point where I would take myself away from that room and pretty much fall asleep. I didn't lose any weight during my treatment so the fit never really changed. The amazing thing is, within two or three weeks, the whole thing felt like a distant memory.

Good luck.

- Margaret

Margaret,

Tell me about it! I had totally forgotten about even having a mask until it was mentioned here! In the grand scheme of things, I guess it wasn't very important. My tongue, on the other hand. I DO remember that very well. It took mine a few months or so to heal.

Lani

I believe it was the beginning of week four that my taste went haywire.

Other than neck burn I had no other side effects until week seven (final week) when I had bad nausea and diarrhea.

Post RT my mouth has been rather sore and my tongue and the roof of my mouth has peeled. Also I think post RT I have been more tired, but that may be because I am trying to do too much too fast.

I was never really bothered by the rads and chemo. I got the usual rash on my chin and neck . My tongue and inside my mouth still give me problems, but I think that's from the Rasdiation seed implants in my tongue. I truly believe, it's that uyou have to keep the positive attitude. I'm a few years older than you Nancy at 72 and if I can handle it, you can too. I hate to put that age out here. LOL J/K I am proud of that age and don't look any older than 82.

Week 4 was the start of my downfall but my biggest problem was keeping up with the daily liquid food and water that is soooo vital to a smoother treatment. Not sure what he means by peaking at week 4. Most of us had our worst time in the few weeks post Tx. I also didn't have much in the way of skin issues. Again stay on top of getting 3000 cals of food and 48 ozs of water EACH and EVERY day and you won't regret it.

I just finished my 2nd week and my Doctor told me the hard part is coming up...just stay strong, eat and drink. He told me to try to shoot for 64oz of liquids per day. After Rad Txs are over he also said a two to three week burnout will happen and about 4 months post tx you'll start to feel better.

best wishes

Ray,

Your Doc is right on. Though some have had it easier(I hope you do), and some have had it harder, that's pretty much it. I had it harder, so I'm going to share some of my "shouldas" with you:

I shoulda said yes to the G tube earlier
I shoulda used it
I shoulda not been so darned stubborn

Also, I got very dehydrated, so I had to start getting hydrated by IV 3 times a week. That maybe could have been avoided if I had done those "shouldas".

I'll be watching for your posts to see how you're doing.

Lani

Right on EZ Jim. I'll be 67 Oct. 11 so I'm gaining on you. Thanks to all for your comments and "God bless us each and every one" (Tiny Tim). I'm very confused about how to reply. What is quick reply? switch to full reply screen? Any way to delete a reply you're in the middle of? I wanted to reply to several of the above but ended up here. I started a reply to Margaret and lost it. Help! lol Nancy