Any suggestions that will help before and during radiation

I'm a little confused with your wording as you're talking in past tense as thought the radiation has already taken place.  Maybe that was just a typo.  But if you are preparing to begin radiation soon there are plenty of experienced members here for sure.  As for keeping the skin protected during radiation, I used Aquaphor as recommended by my RO.  He said there were other products that work well but that Aquaphor was effective and inexpensive.  Folks on here have used other products and they will chime in I'm sure.  I took a few 100% cotton tee shirts and cut off the collars to wear around the house while I kept my neck slathered with the Aquaphor (ecept for when I went for radiation as the skin needs to be claen and dry.  You will also need a sacrificial pillowcase or two to use if you end up using a product like Aquaphor because it's petroleum jelly based and soaks into fabrics that come in contact and ruins them.  I personally believe that our genetics come into play regarding how well our skin heals... I suppose the type of rads used does too.  I had proton beam radiation and my skin healed very quickly after radiation was complete.  I have no idea what you can do beforehand but believe that drinking LOTS of water would be a good idea.

Best of luck.  Keep us posted with your results.

Will you be getting chemo as well?

Searching4hope said:

Radiation is all they have

Radiation is all they have mentioned.  I asked at first about both chemo and rad.  They seem to think radiation is all I need.

The Superthread at the top of the posts is a wealth of info about what to expect, and what you might do.  ERomano's eperience with Aquaphor is the same as my husband's - it was greasy, but effective  The advice to drink massive amounts of water cannot be overstated.  This will help keep your swallowing function intact. You should know that the first couple of weeks may not be too bad.  But effects do start to compound, and the worst may be the week or so after radiation actually stops, when there may be significant issues with mucus.  Your salivary glands  and taste buds will no doubt be affected, much of which will ikely recover.  You'll awant to have a good juicer or blender on hand for nutritious liquid "meals."  There are varying opinions about whether to get a feeding tube "installed" right from the start.    Evperiences with radiation vary greatly...but the one thing in common is that they eventually end.  Wishing you all the best as you move forward.  This too shall pass!  

Searching4hope said:

Thank you!!  Great info.  I

Thank you!!  Great info.  I will do whatever to stir clear of.a feeding tube.  The surgeon office called today and I will see him Wednesday for a follow up.  Hopefully he will have an appointment set up for the onocoligist.  I have not met with them yet not have I seen a ENT.  So want to move forward and get this behind me!!!  I appreciate the comments from all!!

For sure you want to get this behind you.  Folks here say that recovery from radiation is measured in weeks, not days.  One day at a time is the mindset to have. It's  natural to want to avoid a feeding tube, but they can really help, rather than battling every bite.  Like you, my husband started out with surgery on his tongue.  His tongue developed "mucosal outbreaks" farily early on in radiation, and I've always suspected that the surgery made his tongue more suseptible.  It was tough having to get the feeding tube in the midst of radiation, but it turned out to be a big help.  And he says it wasn't so bad.  I forgot to mention that there are swallow exercises they'll probably teach you  - another thing to help you get ready.  Sending best wishes your way.  

Ditto to Russ and Proust. The Rad & Chemo Dr.s are supposed to know what their treatment will do to you. My very first visit to the Chemo Dr.: Power Port, Feeding Tube, and "Don't worry about the pain. We'll have you on Morphine." My tx was concurrent C&R with unknown Primary, so they zapped me in 20 places/session- over 11 years ago. I was given no advice on preparing, so I just dealt with during and after with "Magic Mouthwash" and Nystatin, along with Medincines.

From my experience, I would ask the Rad Dr. how many Rads (Gys) applied to the base of the throat, because the scar tissue result can cause complications. Hopefully the fact you've had Surgery and removals will limit the amount of Rads applied.

Good luck, and feel free to ask questions and let us know your concerns.

Overwhelming. Stay strong and resolute that you will get through this. So many have and you will too. Thirty treatments seem like a lot right now but they will go by pretty quickly if you take things one day at a time and one week at a time however it is best for you to work it out. I remember my first cancer diagnosis by my ENT and after that, I had to get a biopsy, then see a chemo doc and a radiation doctor for consultation, then get a feeding tube and a port put in, and a mask made, and then they set you up for all your treatment appointments. It is like a flood of stuff all at once and is certainly a load. The treatment center where I had my treatment done printed out a nice schedule for me so maybe they can do that for you. Also if you have been assigned a nurse navigator or someone to answer any questions you have to call them right away with any questions or concerns that's what they are there for and they want to help. Keep us updated on your situation and there may be some questions the folks on the forum can answer-Take Care-God Bless

I used Calendula cream (made from Mariogold flowers) every four hours during the day,(available easily online) and Aquaphor Ointment at night per my radiation oncologists recommedations. I had a schedule that my adult kids followed and checked off as I had chemo radiation which really can make you sick and I dont know if I could have stuck to it. I never had any burning just a bit of reddining of the skin. My skin on my neck looks totally normal after treatment .

Good Luck!

Nancy