Would you do it again?

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  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #22
    Bart T said:

    Yes and No

    Obviously a very personal and very important decision. After surgery, my surgeon felt I was borderline as to if I needed radiation or not, and suggested a consult with the radiation doctor. I’ve often wondered if asking the radiation doctor if I needed treatment was like asking a barber if I needed a haircut.

    The radiation doctor recommended it, and in retrospect, probably downplayed the side effects, and I went through with the treatment. One way or another, I’ll never know if I made the right choice. If I live cancer free for another hundred years, I won’t know if it was because of the treatment, or if I would have made it that long even without the treatment.

    I am now one year post treatment. The treatment was 5 days a week for six weeks. Prior to treatment, I was about six weeks post hemi-glossectomy and neck resection, feeling very good, and almost 100%  of my normal self. The treatment itself was very rough, but from what many tell me, I did better than most. I never needed a feeding tube, I never had to be hospitalized, and I never got screwed up with pain killers. I continued working for the first three weeks, but by the end felt so miserable that every morning when I woke up, I wished I hadn’t.

    After one year, I’m doing 100% of my normal activities, but consider myself a safe distance away from 100% of my normal self. My quality of life has taken a hit; not a total loss, but a decent size ding. Everyone’s decision as to how much they are willing to get dinged up before they conclude it wasn’t worth it is a very personal and private decision that should be respected by others. It may be influenced by factors such spiritual or religious beliefs, age, family circumstances, other health issues, etc. A decision such as this also depends one’s risk aversion which is also a very personal choice. Some of us race motorcycles and jump out of airplanes, others of us won’t cross the street.

    As to me, If it turns out that I I bought myself a batch of extra years because of the radiation, I’ d do it over again, but keep in mind I’ll never know if it was the radiation that would have bought me the extra years.

     

    Whatever your husband’s decision, I wish you both the best, and trust you’ll respect and support his decision.

    Second Guessing Post tx

    It's easy to second guess when you are alive and surviving....

    Me personally, I believe that you being here and participating in this conversation and forum is proof that you made the right decison...

    It's a gamble I was willing to play..., how little treatment can I get away with and still have favorable long term results.

    Best,

    John

  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    #23
    katenorwood said:

    Would I do it again

    Most of us go into the dxing  with blinders on (so to speak).  We hear the C-word and it blows our minds !  I have a rare dx....not understood, and researched far and few between because there are too few of us.  But I have friends who are fighting hard with this dx....adenoid cystic carcinoma every single day.  Our type doesn't respond to rads., or chemo like most others.  In other words it's not currative....just gives us a few more years, in some cases a few more months.  (trials mainly....as mainstream traditional tx's won't touch it)  I need to clarify this.....if clear margins were not achieved during surgery, or if we have mets or a re-occurrance.  And this dx will return, anywhere from 2-20yrs.   

    And I'll tell you something.....age range is all over the charts.  From late teens to late 80's.  I hear about quality over quanity alot.  But I have fought hard to find tx's, with little hope.  Please have your husband really think hard about this.  If rads or chemo or a unison of the two will knock this cancer out of the park.....yes please fight !  Facing the fact that my body can't handle anymore literally pisses me off.  As I am a fighter from the word go.

    Re-occurrance is always an issue.  But with tx's and the type of dx.....life can be very, very good after the battle has been done.  Stay on board here, and continue to post.  These people have a way of throwing us all a life preserver to hang onto.  They know their stuff, and will help you two through this.  I hope he decides to fight, and I'll be keeping positives flowing for you both !   Katie       

    ACC

    The mother of one of our best friends, and a good friend of ours has ACC.  Above the right temple, and spreading in every direction.  This is one of the most horrible kinds of cancer I know about, so if you have been fighting and surviving ACC for some time, you are one tough person!

    Mike

     

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #24
    Would I do it again?

    In a heartbeat. You betcha. Without a doubt. No questions asked. Where do I stand in line. Without hesitation.

     

    I hope this helps

          Jeff

  • Eddie J
    Eddie J Member Posts: 23
    #25
    Quark said:

    Do It Again

    Thank you all for responding.  You are all super stars.  I mean it, simply stellar.  My husband has decided to go for it and keep on keepin'on.  Life!     Thanks again,  Quark

     

    DO IT AGAIN

    GOOD CHOICE WHILE HE IS GOING THRU THE DISCOMFORTS PAIN AND ETC ETC KEEP REMINDING HIM THAT HE IS ALIVE AND ABLE TO FIGHT THIS DISEASE NO TREATMENT WOULD TAKE AWAY THAT ABILITY TO FIGHT AND THE CHANCE TO SURVIVE

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