Radiation class

Sometimes you just have to laugh. Radiation is just a concentrated x-ray, right? We've all had x-rays, rights? No biggie. Not exactly!

My posts are never that organized so this will be no different. Try to keep up!
Good news: Valet parking is free during radiation treatments, I am required to see the doctor every week so that I can ask any questions and review any/all side effects and how to manage them. I can also "drop-in" anytime if I'm having issues. That's about all I can come up with on the good news side... other than the "it could be worse" point of view.
I should be fine the first 2 weeks and then the side effects start kicking in around week 3 and get progressively worse throughout the remaining treatments.
Side effects:
The skin in the treatment area may become red and itchy and may blister/peel (similar to a bad sunburn).
I'll feel tired (naps are nothing new to me).
Could get a sore throat making it difficult to swallow, therefore, difficult to eat & drink. Those are 2 VERY important things. If I start to lose weight, they'll put in a feeding tube. No thanks!
Change of taste, nausea & loss of appetite.
Hair loss in the treatment area. (My hair was already shaved a little bit behind my ear so I'm not going to worry about that one.)
Mouth sores.
Saliva changes (as in thick & sticky). The nurse said I would want to spit it out constantly, including in the middle of the night. He recommended sleeping sitting up about 45 degrees so I don't gag on it. (I think this is where I start to laugh. Really????)
If the mouth sores, sore throat or anything else cause too much pain, they'll put me on pain meds. If that happens, then we add a new side effect of constipation. I'm scheduled for a "Bowel Management Class." Really???? Laughing again.

There's also a list of things to avoid. Not that I'm a big drinker, but I'm really bummed that I can't have alcohol during the next 6 weeks. (We want what we can't have!) Also, no carbonated beverages, citrus juice, sharp-edged foods (chips, pretzels), or highly seasoned/spicy foods.

There are things I'm supposed to do to treat the side effects: (They actually gave me a checklist). These are all supposed to start on day 1.
Aquaphor ointment for skin burn - 3-4x daily
Baking soda mouth rinse - 4-6x daily (continue for 6 months after treatments stop)
Fluoride - 1x daily (continue forever)
Jaw, Neck & Throat exercises (6 exercises) - at least 3x daily (however, my plastic surgeon has not cleared me yet for neck exercises because I need more time for the surgical site to heal.) (Also continue these for several months after treatments)
Brush with Biotene or Sensodyne toothpaste.

That pretty much covers what we discussed in class. I then went to an exam room to wait on the team of doctors. They all came in -- about 6 people. One of the other doctors looked at my neck and they all left. Apparently they went somewhere else to review films and my proposed treatment plan and they all agreed. I got my radiation schedule, signed the consent form and left. My schedule is fine with me except for Fridays. All my appointments are late afternoon/evening. I need early appointments on Friday so I can hit the road and see my family! When I start on Monday, I'll see what I can do to change that.

(Side note: When I got home -- actually not even home, just stopped to pick up the kids -- I got a call from MDA that they had me scheduled for a hearing test on March 11. That would be today. I said "I don't think so!" I'm going to be there for the next 6 weeks! How 'bout they pick any day next week??? Well, I'm now scheduled for April 9. Argh.)