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Joined: Sep 2006
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"OCF Canuck"
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"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2006
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Well all my questions about future treatment were more or less silenced. When we met with the radiation doctors, they had already reviewed my file and decided upon a treatment plan. I begin 33 radiation treatments on - expected date - Jan 7th. I had my mask made yesterday, CT scan, etc so they will do the treatment "planning" to get started Jan 7th or earlier if possible. They are also aware of the consult with Medical Oncology (chemo) and feel that both attacks are the best way to proceed.

For me, the worst thing they could have done was say - "oh no....we can't do this and can't do that..." instead I was shocked (AND DELIGHTED) with the proposed treatment plan.

Re-radiation is possible because of the excellent job that the radiation doctors did the first time - where they were extremely careful to only radiate my left side - 32 treatments. They will now be just as careful to radiate only the right side - but 33 treatments in total (28 to most areas and an additional 5 to my tongue and the area where the lymph nodes were positive). Do I think this will be easy? Nope. Am I willing to go through it? ABSOLUTELY.

As I said before this is an aggressive disease, and at age 53 I want to be as aggressive as possible in treating it. Radiation is never fun and those of you who have been through chemo before know that it isn't a picnic either - but I WILL GET THROUGH IT.

Interesting that my husband thinks I am looney for being happy to have the radiation. Some friends and family think that too, and only a few see things from my viewpoint. I'm sure there will be far more understanding on this board than I've heard so far!

Important message - RE-RADIATION IS POSSIBLE.

Donna


Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
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Donna,
I am so happy for you!!
My mom's rad-onc told me that if she were to have any recurrence, re-rad would be possible.
At least this time you will have an arsenal ready for what you may need through this journey-especially friends here at the OCF!!

Donna


Donna
CG to Mom, dx 4/25/07 with tongue cancer,T3N0,tx began 7/6/07, 31 tx's of IMRT, 8 cycles of Erbitux. Brachytherapy, surgery, left neck dissection and temp trach placed all on 9/17/07, trach removed 10/17/07. ORN of jaw, late effect of radiation symptoms. **lost my beautiful mother on 5/5/11.
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Donna,

My dad just finished up radiation to the right side at the end of August. Tomorrow he will start 7 weeks of radiation to the left side along with chemo once a week. We too were worried that they would tell us that radiation again, especially this soon, was not possible. We were relieved when they laid out the treatment plan.

Dad too is looking forward to starting his treatment tomorrow, mostly because you can see his tumor getting larger by the day, and his pain has increased to the point where he does nothing but medicate to control the pain. Hopefully the radiation will shrink the tumor and it will stop pressing on the nerves.

Your outlook is fantastic. No, it's not going to be easy, but I think you are going to get through this just fine with your strength and determination.

Best of luck to you and I will hold you close in my thoughts and prayers.

Joy


CG to Father, 75 yo with SCC of the mouth; upper maxillectomy and neck diss. performed on 5/23/07. Father also suffered heart attack during surgery and now has CHF. RT complete on 8/28/07. Cancer back 11/27/07. RT and Chemo to start on 12/17. Cancer back 6/17/08. Finally at rest 08/08/08.
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Good luck to you both!
Joy, please let me know how he does.


Donna
CG to Mom, dx 4/25/07 with tongue cancer,T3N0,tx began 7/6/07, 31 tx's of IMRT, 8 cycles of Erbitux. Brachytherapy, surgery, left neck dissection and temp trach placed all on 9/17/07, trach removed 10/17/07. ORN of jaw, late effect of radiation symptoms. **lost my beautiful mother on 5/5/11.
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Pandora99, I completely understand your reaction. I have only gone around once, but when I learned I would get the chemo I wanted with the rad, I was just about jumping up and down, to everyone else's complete confusion. You are correct that we understand here. I also believe that a positive attitude helps a lot, and you are well positioned in that regard. Good luck!

Joined: Nov 2007
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con Offline
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45
I just got word that my squamous cell is back. Same place - on my left side of my tongue. I had 33 rad treatments the first time - 6 years ago. My ENT Dr. said he is going to consult with the radiologist. He mentioned that there is a rad implant that can be implanted into the tongue. Anyone ever hear about this?


con

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