radiation seems to be the gift that keeps giving for a couple of my friends, both about 12 yr head/neck cancer survivors.

george is in great shape, a heavy weight lifter. however a few months ago, he was getting short of breath from going up a flight of stairs. so the docs put a pigs' heart valve into him...they said the original valve showed signs of radiation burn.

max had bypass surgery today. he had been having very low blood pressure. then one day last week he felt badly, measured his bp and found it was over 200. the docs checked him out and got him in for bypass asap... docs told him the problem was due to his cancer radiation.

what i learned from these guys, we survivors need to really pay attention to our health and if something changes, find out why.

as for newer radiation being more effective than older styles, i think that it maybe years (or decades) before there is enough data to really know. till then, let's enjoy the day.

cheers,
cu,
larry

'01 diagnosis.. jaw hing and base of tongue. surgery not possible. JHU used radiation and chemo to seemingly rid me of the beast. peg for about 19 months. 100 cases of 24 cans of liquid food. 9 months eating therapy. 3x esophagus stretches. non-smoker. previously a social drinker.