How many of you had your IMRT before surgery and what was the reason? We were told (as the second opinion) that Don could get the IMRT first and that would "get" the tumer on his tongue and toncil and we would be avoiding the much more invasive radical disection and jaw split. We would only have to have a modified for the nodes. I was concerned about surgury after rad because I read how the flesh is harder to work with after radiation but the Dr. said not to worry, he "made no bones about that" he was confident that the IMRT would kill the tumors and he was going in for the nodes. (Not his words exactly but...) Now 2 1/2 months post rad/chemo Don went in for the modified neck disection only to come out 45 minutes later. Dr did a biopsy on his tongue and it's still positive
Dr said that only happens 1 in 20. It's persistant. Now he has to endure the major surgery, possibly even some jaw loss... bone from leg. Forearm flap. 8 hour plus day Monday April 12th. Doc said if he "had a crystal ball" he would have done the surgery first. I don't know if they will take less because of the tumor shrinkage or have to take all the treated area (and then some) They were so confident now I don't feel that. We're scared... And now second quessing. Now Doc says no more IMRT after but I've read on the bourd that some of you have had more. They said they gave him the max (70 grays) but I've seen some of you post 72. I need to know where to go from here if they say after surgery "we've done everything" I'M NOT DONE!!! WE'RE NOT DONE!!! Were any of you positive after RAD before surgery? What did they tell you? Doc told me, and Don's mom and dad that out of five people at this point only 1 will live past 5 years!!! We weren't ready for that! It sounds like the doc lost his confidece even before the surgery! We won't give up. I passed along one of the quotes from the board that really boosted him. Either 100% you'll make it or 100% you won't. And we talked about this surgery and how scary it is but then somewhere I think I found wisdom and said to him imagine someone in a car accident... What that Dr might have to work with. This is a VERY precise surgury that he has had time to plan. Just where the wounds are, how they will heal... how to help us with therapy..and as a bonus he'll be coming off a Easter meal and he's all Don's on monday morning! I'm looking for insight and rattling on now just the venting helps me. I wish I could take my computer to the hospital. Don is a 51 year old mill worker and has never touched a computer ( I'm working on that) so I'll need to be his voice here. Thank you all for YOUR strength. Gods speed as we all heal. Prayers are needed and welcome if you respond to my postings!!!!!
