Joy, Welcome to Houston!!! When did you get in? Glad you came, good luck with tday, remember be patient with your appt. times, expect them to be at least 2 hrs. later (haha) Keep me posted!

Good Morning everyone, Today is a new day for me...I have no back teeth! (on the right side) I thought is would be a little easier than it was, but at least its over. Didnt get the stint, to much swelling, so going back on Thursday to do that. Can anyone tell me what to expect? I feel better when my mind is prepared for this. The stint is used to protect my other side and my tongue, correct?

Ok, the stint is made and i go for simulation on Monday. Then the big day arrives on August 7th. I have been thinking about switching to "currently in treatment" but i dont know if i have that right yet or not? I kind of feel like im out here in limbo...waiting (always waiting) 10 days to the count down...So i guess its time for me to take all of ya'lls wonderful advise and prepare for the upcoming dreaded "Radiation", so im out of here for awhile, until i feel i have earned the right to be in "Currently in Treatment" (which will be the first day of rad. im sure) So thanks guys, its been fun, we will talk soon!

Linda,
Radiation was the toughest part of my treatment. Be ready for some difficulty in eating, as swallowing was nearly impossible for me at the end (mandibular SCC III/IV). Nutrition and hydration were critical - my wife is a registered dietitcian, and milk shakes made with Boost nutritional supplement and cocoa wheats cereal got me through without a feeding tube. No five years past the surgery and doing great. I lost one toothe due to resorption after treatment, and of course 5 due to the surgery. Fluoride treatments every night seem to be keeping the teeth I still have intact.

Best of luck to you.

Hi Linda,
You were pretty close about the appt times--mine was 3 hours late, not 2! I'm getting ready to fly back Tues. I am having an FNA (before surgery) on several lymph nodes in my neck that the radiologist read as "suspicious", with some on the OPPOSITE side of the neck from my tumor. I am sure hoping they don't have to do a dissection on both sides of my neck. I'm dreading it but at the same time I sure wish it was over... Also I am told that if more than one node is positive I will need radiation, which is a shock since none of the docs could feel anything during the physical exam. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Joy, it is great to hear from you, i was getting worried about you...i thought you were still waiting to see the doc!! HaHa. Although, it is bad, your appointments are never on time! But i promise you, M.D. Anderson is so worth it. Im keeping my fingers crossed for you and praying at the same time. Let me know how it is going for you. Good Luck and God be with you.

Tomarrow is the official day...the day i have so dreaded and yet the day i cant wait for it to start! After tonight i will be "officially in treatment" My appointment is at 6:45pm! So, here i go...I hope i didnt forget anything, and im truely ready (or would i have ever been really ready for this?)I took everyones advice on what to do to make this go smoother(been gathering up all my supplies)so the only thing that is left...is me walking through that door! I wanted to leave this site "introducing yourself" with a little something that was sent to me...www.thesurvivormovie.com just click on this and enjoy! And thank you to all my new friends on here, all of ya'll have been a true blessing! See ya'll on "Currently in Treatment"

Do not forget to put a big X through tomorrow on the calandar when you get home, because you will be one day closer to being finished with treatment. Good luck!

Best luck, Linda. Keep talking to us. Amy