Gino, I am very glad you are going to have rad, and hope you go the chemo route also. I did not have a terrible time. When the radiation burned my neck, I got drugs and it didn't hurt. The chemo was just time consuming. I got pretty tired, but not sick.

I had IMRT rad all around, I developed what the nurses called the radiation hairline on my neck, but it all grew back. I wear my hair up, and would not do that if it wasn't nice and even.

I had surgery, including a modified radical neck disection. The path reports looked good, but there was no question of my stopping there. My thinking was that I wanted to do this just once, so I wanted all the stops pulled out. That was four years ago. There are some ways in which I am slightly different physically, but I have to stop to remember what they are.

Looking at the big picture, the time you spend in treatment is a very small part of your life. It was not exactly fun, but I could have stood worse. It was all a pretty small price to pay for feeling so very good now and getting on with my life.

One reason statistics are pretty useless is that we are all different. What might not work for someone who continues the behaviors that may have caused the cancer, may be just the ticket for you. Bottom line, fight your best fight and forget about everyone else. Plain and simple, your best chance to survive is with the most aggressive treatment.

We have all developed many tips and tricks with which we can help you get through. Go in with a fighting spirit and you will find it will not be as horrible as you many have imagined. We will be here to help as much as necessary.

Joanna,

Thanks so much for your wonderful, uplifting post. It is great to learn that you're doing great after four years.

I'll be seeing the radiation specialist on the 6th. While my doctor did not say anything about chemo (he just recommended radiation), a couple of you have mentioned that chemotherapy should also be considered. Therefore, I'll inquire about it as well.

all the best,
Gino

Gino,

When I was going through my treatments my doctors told me that the chemo enhances the effectiveness of the radiation.

As for hair loss, I had it only in the radiation field. The hair on the back of my neck grew back. I don't need to shave the left side of my face any longer or below my chin. I did not lose my hair due to the chemo.

Good luck,

John

You see Minnie, I believe I am sensitive enough when need be. I do not believe that I make people look silly, they do that on their own, no help needed. I will continue to point out statements that speak as absolutes and, in fact I do skip over the clearly religious threads, they piss me off. My post addressed an issue with a statement, not the person. I was once invited to discuss an issue with that poster, and got jumped on for doing so. My problem with your post? Cautioning people not to defend me. Talk about personal.

Don't read my posts and I'll ignore yours. I believe my posts are a necessary evil(by your standards) and until my posting privileges are taken away, you will not change me. There are a few of us that provide a much needed balance here and a perspective on this disease I hope you never experience.

Glenn

Gino I went through the radiation and chemo treatment.My tumor was so far advanced by the time it was diagnosed I had no options.the chemo acts as a catalyst for the rad to be more effective.The effects on your body are quite a bit harder.One of the best things you can do besides the tough mental attitude is jam yourself with as much food and vitamins as you can to prepare your body for what your about to endure.Hang in there gino...You will make it

L8R Ryno

Gino,

I had the surgery and radiation. My BIG regret was not going for the chemo. Once this stuff is in your blood, you never know where it could show up. Just make sure the chemo option is well covered with your doctors.

Glenn

Gino, Ryno makes a great point. Unless you already have a lot of weight to lose, you will want to eat more than usual to put on some pounds as you will definitely lose a lot of weight during radiation. For me, that was the silver lining in the cancer cloud -- as much cheesecake as I wanted without regard to calorie count(grin). However, eating healthy food would be a better bet.

Gino --

Chemo adds about 10-15% effective to radiation, according to some studies and at least for my husband Barry, was the *least* problematic part of the treatment. He got carboplatin, it does not cause hair loss, the major side effect being some depression in platelets and certain other blood components -- but for him never to the point where he could not receive his (weekly) chemo dose. He was never sick, either -- it was a very low "radiosensitizing" dose.

The radiation caused hm to lose hair at the base of his hairline and on part of his cheeks and neck but now 4 months' out from treatment that is all grown back, except for a few areas on sides of his neck -- his beard is a lot darker now and he definitely has to shave regularly!

He had his primary tumor (right tonsil) removed down to connective tissue but no further surgery, it was not recommended to him by his RO or MO. The docs at Hopkins are finding very good results from chemoradiation alone in most cases.

The whole thing was definitely no fun but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Barry is pretty much back to normal now and we just got back from a pretty rigorous birding trip to Mexico. Of course he is being monitored very carefully (and regularly) so our fingers and toes are still crossed and will be for some years!

Gail

Ok Glenn, in the best interest of the board, I agree with you. Your posts are important here and I understand you better after your last post.
As far as me "getting personal" by asking others not to defend you, it wasn't personal, it was just being honest. I have no intention of ignoring your posts, in fact, I have a question for you. Why didn't you have chemo with your radiation? I've wondered many times why my doctors didn't go this route with me.
Minnie

The sad thing is, it was not common protocol back in 2002. They believed that the clear surgical margins and subsequent radiation would do the trick, and it did, for the head and neck. My problem has been with blood borne pathogens, they have given me cancer everywhere. I leave the house shortly for chemoembolization of my Kidney! I have had chemo now, after the cows got out! I have had clear nodes on the way to every cancer I have gotten!

Glenn