Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
Two weeks of treatments finished - and I've struck a hurdle - I just hope it's not going to be a big one.
My tongue is not in my treatment area and I have a device that goes into my mouth before radiation Tx to push it across to the right. My first SCC was on my tongue but it was a very small T1 with good margins so they decided that it was safe to leave that out of the treatment area. I developed a couple of small ulcers on my tongue just after I had the the mouthpiece and mask made and my simulation sessions. I put them down to a bit of trauma associated with that fairly arduous morning. The week before I was to start Tx I saw my ENT to have them checked and he discussed the ulcers (which were very small) with the RO. They decided that they should not delay my treatment (which including the tongue would) and that they would keep a close eye on the tongue, but not include it in the radiation field.
My tongue is now the sorest part of my mouth and the ulcers are bigger with lots of leukoplakia and red patches around them. My RO didn't like the look of it but she says that it does look superficial. I now have to see my surgeon on Monday afternoon (after rad Tx) The RO doesn't think these changes are due to TX as other changes in my mouth due to the Cisplatin and Rads are quite different. I guess once my ENT takes a look they will then discuss the options, which the RO indicated may be to suspend traetment to have this surgery (and restart ASAP afterwards) or to wait until the end of treatment and then have it. The way this 'thing' has grown and changed over the last week I can't see them waiting too long! Anyway, I will hopefully get some answers on Monday.
As far as the treatments go I am still coping well with some sore spots starting to develop in my mouth and throat. I am having to start on mushier, less acidic foods - orange juice and tomatoes now sting - and I have to watch crunchy foods as they seem to scratch my throat. I guess in another week or two I will be on all soft foods and liquids.
This is just a 'stress' that I could well do without at the moment!
Sue
