Pat, Minnie, and Cathy,
First let me say hello and hope all is well today. I also had XRT and everyones side effects that a typical survivor goes thru I have and they have not improved. That is O.K. with me because that is the price we unfortunately pay for survival. I was wondering if rad dr.s today give choices to newly dx. patients or do they just recommend tx. regimen and move forward. Or has IMRT proven to keep pace or increase long term survival. In a self comforting way I tell myself that all the lousy side effects we have long after tx.reminds me that radiation is a very powerful tool to DESTROY cancer cells. If I ever woke up and saw hair growing on my face where it used to I think it would scare me more. I think it is wonderful that we have choices today and Pat is right when she says 20 yrs. ago we would not have as many weopons at our disposal and Cathy and Minnea are walking and talking proof that QOL can be achieved regardless of tx. regimen. Sharing stories is one way of helping those behind us make difficult decisions and to raise awareness for a Cancr who's death rate is much to high.

IMRT like XRT is just a tool in the fight against cancer. Now IMPT (Intensity Modulated Proton Therepy) is being used by a few Tx centers which may be the next tool available in the cancer arsenal. I went with IMRT because my RO recommended it and he has written books on IMRT and is considered one of the country's leading authorities. Moffitt was located 40 miles one way from my home and I could have had IMRT 5 miles away but decided to go to the most knowledgeable source.

Hello Bonnie,
I just want sound off and reiterate what my fine board members have already stated. This is very doable. January 11 I had my one year anniversary. Within the past year I had a modified neck dissection, IMRT radiation x33 plus 3 rounds of chemo, a peg feeding tube for 4 months , I even had 39 HBO treatments. Simply stated Bonnie I put all 50 lbs that I lost back on, I was so worried about taste and swallowing, for the most part taste is back to normal, somethings just do not taste the same , especially sweets but I can do without those. I am always being told I am lookin' great these days people don't believe that I went through all this just a short year ago.Bonnie this will not be a picnic for your daughter but she can do this. With support of the likes of a mom like you she will do this easy. Hang in there and know that we are all here for you to lean on when needed, there are some awesome, strong, wise and humble people here for you .
Lenny

Bonnie,
I'm 4 years out, had IMRT and have all of my taste and most salivary function back. It took over 18 months for the salivary function to fully return. My sweet tooth is just fine and eating is normal, no trismus either. But it was no walk in the park during and immediately after Tx but you'll get through it one day at a time. For me, it was my only Tx (with ct). I also kept all of my teeth and still have all of them.

There may be some permanent side effects from the radiation. About 2 years post Tx I started having regular muscle spasms from the radiation damage to the neck muscle. Not really a big deal - Valium and Codiene fix it up just fine when I need it, which is not all that often.

I'm about one year out of XRT, have some saliva and much of my taste back -- I had Amifostine for about half of my XRTs until I became allergic to it.