Hi all,

Wish I had known about this website when my sister Connie was diagnosed with SCC two years ago. It's so informative and the support everyone gives is great and I know it makes a difference in dealing with this. My sister is 3 weeks out since completing 35 IMRT's and 7 cisplatin. She had rad surgery in July '06 and SCC went to it's 3rd site, the neck surrounding the carotid artery. Tumor too large and location made surgery not an option. Went thru the treatment, and is just this week regaining the ability to swallow. Has had a peg tube since January, as she lost the ability to swallow, even before treatment began. The suction machine has been a godsend, we went nowhere w/o it. It's nice that she hasn't had the need to use it the last few days. Unfortunately, Connie is still having pain, the tightness of the neck, we figure it is due to the scar tissue, but it is so painful, she is taking morphine for it, especially bad in the evenings. Also a burning in the throat. Does anyone know if others have experienced this or something similar post treatment?


Caregiver to sister Connie, dx 2005, scc tongue, 4 surgeries inc. radical left side neck dissection 7/06, 35 IMRT, and 7 cisplatin 2/07, passed away 8-11-07, 51 yrs. young, fought with courage, strength and grace, found peace on her new journey.