 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Tough tough question but I will say this, this cancer is very aggressive especially when the primary is in the tongue.
I did not have any surgery but I did have the concurrent radiation and chemo and I plan to live at least another 20 to 30 years as it runs in my family. I point this out because even at her age I wouldn't find the side affects I acquired from my treatment are limiting at all. Yes my saliva is not 100% but it is close and the same for my taste. My thyroid was fried but a small inexpensive daily pill takes care of that. I have no as in zero physical limitations due to my treatment. Overall I view these very small inconveniences just that as compared to the potential alternatives.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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