Hi I am new here, second time I have had cancer, This time its on the soft pallet, I am told I need 7 weeks of radiation to cure it, I have heard all kids of horror stories about side effects, Can anyone share with me what they have gone through and was it worth the side effects. I am concerned about the quality of life after treatment.
Any help would be a god send.
Don

I will say this web site is very confusing and not sure if I posted on the right page. It seems very convoluted on which page I should post and how I can read what someone has replied.

Hi donaldb

Welcome to OCF.

You say this is the second time you have cancer. If you don't mind me asking Where was the cancer the first time ? Was it Oral cancer ?
As for Radiation treatments it not to bad. Of course you will have some side effects such as some swelling and burning maybe some blisters but you will get through it. You can ask the Radiation Oncologist for some pain Meds. to help.

Of course its worth the side effects, it may save your life.
What ever treatments you have to take then I would say do it.
Oral cancer can be very aggressive so don't hesitate . Get the ball rolling and battle this cancer head on. You Can Do It !

Also you may want to get the Peg tube for extra nourishment. you could have some problems eating for a while and you certainly don't want to much weight loss.

Good Luck
Heidi

Don, if you can add a little more background information, other members will be be able to answer some questions better or direct you to that area. No one can definitely say what may or may not occur, to what extent, and involves many other processes, including where radiated, the dosage, bilaterally or ipsilateral, concurrently with chemo, etc, but I can say 100% you will have some type of side affect that will have to be managed, and most do get through radiation, although it can be difficult.

The soft palate is part of the oropharynx. Wether this is the original site of the primary cancer, secondary cancer or metastases from another area.

Good luck

Welcome to OCF. I'm sorry to hear about the recurrence. There is no way of sugar coating that radiation is a tough treatment process. Everybody struggles but gets across the finish line.

Wish you well and visit often.

Don

My personal experience with chemoradiation therapy is the only discomfort I had during the treatment was some burns around my neck that healed quickly after treatment was over and some nausea, usually a few days after a chemo infusion. I had (and continue to have) more discomfort after treatment is over - a lot of pain from mouth and tongue ulcers that seems to improve very slowly overall, peppered with new hot spots that spring up randomly. I continue to have difficulty swallowing due to the pain but mostly due to the lymphedema, swelling, and muscle fibrosis. It also is slowly improving so I just kind of go with the flow, eat what I can eat without too much pain or trouble, and sometimes go for a "stretch" where I don't give a darn how much something is going to hurt or how much I'm going to choke, gag, and hack - I'm going to eat it and that's that. Stubbornness and determination can cause you some pain and you certainly don't want to cause injury to yourself but some of my major advances, like going out to eat in a restaurant in public, came as a direct result of pushing the envelope.

Everybody is different with regards to your medical condition and needs, and everybody is different in regards to how you approach challenges. Everybody is different as to what motivates you - for some people, quiet personal satisfaction is the key and they don;t like for people to fuss about them, while I like to get feedback from my family and doctors about what a great guy I am when I do what I do. Hee, hee - it's true - express surprise that I can slug down a glass of water and I'll throw a handful of my pills down the hatch and follow with that glass of water to up the ante. I don't care how juvenile that sounds - it's what works and I know it. Get to know yourself - and be honest - and do what works for you. And tell us about it - we won't judge - you will only find support and positive feedback. I see this as my new normal - it's not the life I would have chosen but it's the only one I have and I'll be darned if I don't make the most out of it.

Best wishes and don't be a stranger.

Lee