Hi Sherri, and welcome to OCF...so sorry to hear of your mother's diagnosis. As you can see by our 'signature', husband is also a survivor of SCC. He is 77 y/o and has done extremely well since his treatments ended last fall.
Our thoughts are with you and your family as you begin this journey. We'll be here to support all of you, no matter what decisions are made.

Lois & Buzz in NC

Thanks everyone who has posted. I think my mom is leaning towards getting the radiation. Has anyone received radiation and had the cancer return to same area? How did they treat it?

Thanks
Sherri

Well it has been a little over a month since I last posted, but to update everyone. My mother has decided to receive the radiation, she will get IMRT 6000(I guess is the dose)X30. she is being treated at Kaiser in Hollywood, however she did go the UCLA for her dental trays and tongue depressor to be made. Last week she was fitted for her mask and had a ct scan. Next week more x-ray's and then she will start treatment. The only problem she is having right now is trying to practice keeping the tongue depressor in her mouth for 30-40 minutes, she says she can't swallow and it makes her panic. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Sherri

I didn't have to use a tongue depressor but like anything dealing with the mask and the radiation she will just find that she will adjust to it. I can only think that she may have some panic issues with the mask as well. Some have had to take an anxiety pill to get through the rad sessions but mine only lasted 15 - 20 minutes except on Mondays when they did their weekly measurements so that 30 to 40 minutes time frame may be on the very high side assuming that is to be worn during the rad sessions?

During my radiation treatments they played cd's/music which helped in distracting the time. My radiation treatments lasted almost 45 minutes. I even brought in some of my own cd's.

I'm just glad rads didn't last as long as chemo or I would have probably embarassed myself. LOL Had time to wax my van while doing chemo.

Sherri,

My best to your mom and you as she goes through this regimen. My sister had anxiety issues too, the mask fit tightly and caused pain because of location of tumor. She would take 1 mg of ativan about an hour before treatment, along with zofran and morphine. The zofran was to counteract the nausea from the daily amifostine shots (to reduce dry mouth after all radiation completed). She discontinued the shots after 3 weeks as she usually vomited after half an hour and feared vomiting during the radiation. The most important part is to be there or be sure someone is there for your mom during this whole ordeal. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Nancy

Ativan and Zofran were my friends during radiation too (like Nancy's sister, I had amifostine shots through most of my treatment and I definitely needed the Zofran).

My radiation sessions lasted about half an hour I think--except when they did xrays weekly when it might have been more like 35 or 40, but honestly the Ativan caused me to sleep through many of them after about the first week. It's something you think you'll never get used to but you do.

Nelie

Thank you all for support and suggestions. I will pass this information on to my mom. I will also update the boards once she starts tx.

Sherri

I have to laugh now when I go for an MRI and they ask me if I get claustrophobic. After going through 7 weeks of radiation with the mask clamping my head and the lolly pop in my mouth, an MRI doesn't bother me. The treatment was rough, especially after the first 2-3 weeks, as the radiation started to effect my mouth. I just tried to tune out the surroundings, meditate in my mind as best I could. If the situation gets too stressful, I can certainly see asking for medication.