Hello. I have only posted once since I learned recently of this site but I have found it nearly impossible to get through most days lately without logging on and reading everyone elses posts.
Anyway..I am going on Friday to meet w/ the oncologist who will tell me his opinion of whether or not I need radiation. I have had early stage cancer twice in the last 3 years on my left lateral tongue. The cancer was removed both times surgically. Of course I strongly wonder if it was ever really gone the first time since it came back but I guess I'll never know. Needless to say I am terrified about the idea of radiation because I have been trying to learn all I can about it & the reality seems a little bleak as far as going through it.
All of you seem soooo strong that I keep wondering "how do you do it????" If I could just exit my life for a few months & get the treatment(anotherwords..not have to worry about the fact I have 2 kids counting on me every day, a husband that is great but is a truckdriver that has to be gone most days & nights to make our living, a job that doesn't pay much but that I have to keep to provide our insurance) the list goes on & on & I just want to know how do people that need radiation &/or chemotherapy get by during the process.
Please forgive me for feeling incredibly sorry for myself right now but I am so scared about the effects that the treatments to the mouth area can do(have I been reading too much on the side effects?) during & possibly after the radiation that I don't know how to be brave right now. Please give me some advice & or encouragement that there will be a way to do this!