 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | m sure you are very relieved that Joyce has begun to come around after the surgery. So glad she is doing better!!!!
Here in the US radiation will usually begin 6 - 8 weeks after surgery.
For oral cancer chemo enhances the radiation. Some patients only get radiation while others get both. To get thru radiation she will need to take in 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day. She will also need a caregiver to take care of her and watch her intake, medications, take her to treatments, etc. Hope she will have a very good support system in place for the next phase of her treatment as she will really need alot of help.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
