Hi All,

I'm starting radiation and chemo as an inpatient at Melbourne's CCC (Peter MacCallum Hospital) on Monday 30th November. I have had previous radiation to the left side of my jaw and neck and was told at the time that once treated that I couldn't have further radiation in that area.

Unfortunately due to a nasty recurrence in my tongue, which required two partial glossectomies to get clear margins I then developed metastic disease on and under(but not in) my left jaw and in a cluster of nodes in my right neck. All identifiable tumours were surgically removed on the 28th October.

I am now going to have a further 40 gray of radiation on my left neck and jaw and presumably 70 gray on the right side and my tongue will be included (it wasn't first time around). This will be delivered twice daily, at least six hours apart, over the course of 3 weeks. I will have chemotherapy (Cisplatin) on Tuesdays between treatments. My RO said that this type of regime would offer the best opportunity to knock out any remaining cancer cells, because they would have little time to grow back between treatments (not a direct quote but the gist of the converstaion).

He told me that this treatment is not without significant risk and that I will have a 20% chance of a significant disabilty on the left side including a 1% chance of spinal cord damage. He also said that some issues may take up to 18 months to 2 years to appear. I actually had to sign a form acknowledging and accepting the increased risks. I have agreed to the treatment plan since I'm really fighting for my life here and to do nothing is not acceptable. I also have been told that the side effects will be more severe and hit me much quicker than last time around.

I handled the treatment pretty well last time and had no naso-gastric feeding or PEG. I was back at work for 8 months before I got this latest recurrence and really was functioning fully both at home and at work.

I would love to hear from anyone who has been reradiated or had a short and sharp treatment regime like mine will be. What should I look out for? What should I expect? What was the outcome for you? Any information would be appreciated!

Many Thanks

Sue