Firstly, thank you to everybody who has responded to me as everythng really looks like great advice. I've got my mom combing through this thread as well as others to gather all the things I will need throughout my radiation process.

JAM, you will laugh but we actually have a secret room in our house that our kids don't kow about and sounds like i will be speding alot of time there. never planned on keepin it a secret for this reason.

One more question I have for everyone is the plan of radiation they gave me. I ha a .5cm tumor on back left side of my tongue which was removed with thin deep margin and in situ carcinoma on medial margin. Sloan is recommending I get high dose IMRT on left side of tongue and lower dose on right side. They dont plan to radiate my neck area on either side as they think it is very unlikely cancer spread to nodes. Do people agree with this approach or should I insist on being aggressiv and radiate the neck. What are the additional side effects of moving down to the neck. Isn't it good to save the ability to radiate my nodes in the future god forbid i need to?

Warren, I won't venture to second guess Sloan, but I will say that I am really glad you have a "secret room"- and I hope your wife gets to use it every now and then too. Are you eating alot of great food now? Please do. Amy

Warren, I'm not going to second guess Sloan either. It does sound like you had a very small tumor. I'm guessing things like the swallowing problem I have had for the last year wouldn't have a chance to happen when the neck is not radiated. Be grateful you're getting off this easily (and trust me it won't seem all that easy--so eat up!)

I'm anxiously waiting to eat up but unfortunately stil recovering from the 4 wisdom teeth they made me have extracted the other day. i still have a few weeks and have made lists of everything i plan to eat

warren

Warren, I'll guess the Sloan folks know what they are up to. If they do a 'boost' or 'field' as part of your IMRT, your neck nodes will get a pretty good dose. Your tumor was/is small and that really helps the IMRT plan be really focused. Don't forget to do the tooth fairy thing with those wisdom teeth . I had all mine pulled and didn't get to keep a single one. I'm guessing my oral surgeon scored big on that deal. Be strong. We are with you, Tom

So tomorrow is Day one with i think the dry run session. 33 sessions to come high dose to left tongue and lower dose to right tongue. thanks to everyone for helping me to ge physically and mentally prepared for this. gained 7 pounds since i first read to bulk up finishing up tonight at peter lugers. you will be hearng from me soon

we'll be thinking of you......

Warren, glad to hear you have gained some weight. Get your "secret room" stocked with liquid goodies for when rad starts. Best luck. Amy

OK....get ready to strap that 'mask' on and take the ride. The rad treatments are a piece of cake..it's what will they do to you that side effect wise that will make it interesting.

Everybody gets most or all of the usual stuff like Mucus flow, nausea, pain, fatigue, etc. It comes down to the DEGREE it will affect YOU and EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT!!!!!! Just can't stress that enough. You just flat don't know until you go through it.

Good luck.....

From Warren - always seem to be logged in under my wife

1 down 29 to go (they chanhed it to 30 bec notgetting my nec radiated). Gary, learned quickly you are right on in that the physical aspect of getting zapped will be the easy part. Also, surgical gloves for aquophor application a brilliant idea.

Any thoughts from everyone on how quickly i might start losing taste and feeling fatigue