Hi CathyG,

I would personally not use the word horrible to describe the radiation treatments. Granted some people experience worse than typical side effects, but even with that, the opportunity to win the battle over this disease is enhanced significantly by having the treatments. Your mother, if in good health otherwise, has a resonable chance of 10 to 15 additional years maybe more. That is a pretty big chunk of a lifetime still left.

Where I would use the word horrible is when describing the cancer left to run it's course.

Take care


Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.