Decision about treatment

luvofmylif
luvofmylif Member Posts: 344
edited September 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
We met with radiation oncologist and oncologist today. Basically we had some good news. We are being put in a study to do less radiation because he had surgically proven negative nodes on the left side, which means he will have radiation to the right side only. He will still need chemo though. Of course the dr explained some of the radiation will end up on the opposite side but all in all it will be about 60% less then if he would have had positive nodes on the left side. Because he had BOT laser surgery they will not radiate that area.

I am somewhat relieved but just hope that the cancer at BOT does not recur since that will not be receiving the direct radiation. So, all in all I guess the surgeries were worth it.

Best wishes for health to all of you kind people.
Joan

One other thing though, they wont' be starting treatment for another 2 weeks so that will be 8 weeks since surgery. The standard of care is 6 weeks so I am a little concerned about they delay. Worried what the cancer cells are doing....

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    let's do it
    Joan,

    Good luck, sounds like the treatment clock is ticking.

    Best,

    Matt
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    Concern about delay is something we've all had to deal with....
    it was like from the moment of Dx to the first treatment took so darn long, we all get into a bit of a panic about what is this cancer doing while I have to wait???!!! Trust me, it will be ok....the cancer isn't going anywhere real fast, and things don't change in the time it takes to set up treatments....

    I was a wreck...my Dx was on March 5th, and I didn't get into treatment until April 21...I couldn't believe they were taking so much sweet time just getting me in to see the Radiologist and the Oncologist, let alone get going on treatment. The Dr.'s assured me that it would be ok....as did the folks here. This is the hardest place, the waiting phase...once treatment starts tho, it's like a whirlwind....

    p
  • VanessaSLO
    VanessaSLO Member Posts: 283
    #4
    phrannie51 said:

    Concern about delay is something we've all had to deal with....
    it was like from the moment of Dx to the first treatment took so darn long, we all get into a bit of a panic about what is this cancer doing while I have to wait???!!! Trust me, it will be ok....the cancer isn't going anywhere real fast, and things don't change in the time it takes to set up treatments....

    I was a wreck...my Dx was on March 5th, and I didn't get into treatment until April 21...I couldn't believe they were taking so much sweet time just getting me in to see the Radiologist and the Oncologist, let alone get going on treatment. The Dr.'s assured me that it would be ok....as did the folks here. This is the hardest place, the waiting phase...once treatment starts tho, it's like a whirlwind....

    p

    The delay
    My dad was diagnosed May 30th, his treatmennt started July 25th!!!! We were freaking out because it lasted so long... Just two days before his tx finally started he felt a small lump on the other side of the neck (he had clean area before that) and doc said that this does not change nothing at all. She even said she expected that this could happen (??). She said to us that delay does not mean that cancer will progress that much (if at all).
  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    #5
    It's Mostly Wait.
    Waiting is sometimes the worst part of the whole ordeal.
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #6
    A good plan
    It's good to have plan. I was another who experienced the panic and frustration of what seemed like a very long wait. All will be well.

    Deb
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #7
    D Lewis said:

    A good plan
    It's good to have plan. I was another who experienced the panic and frustration of what seemed like a very long wait. All will be well.

    Deb

    Started late
    I started late too because of the open wound on my leg (removed fibula to reconstruct jaw). My 1st CT w/contrast came back NED. First PET next Friday.
  • luvofmylif
    luvofmylif Member Posts: 344
    #8
    hwt said:

    Started late
    I started late too because of the open wound on my leg (removed fibula to reconstruct jaw). My 1st CT w/contrast came back NED. First PET next Friday.

    Good luck to you with your
    Good luck to you with your scan. This is all new to me so not even sure when the first scans are performed post treatment. I guess worry will be the norm from now on all because of one phone call saying you have stage 4 cancer.
  • luvofmylif
    luvofmylif Member Posts: 344
    #9
    hwt said:

    Started late
    I started late too because of the open wound on my leg (removed fibula to reconstruct jaw). My 1st CT w/contrast came back NED. First PET next Friday.

    Good luck to you with your
    Good luck to you with your scan. This is all new to me so not even sure when the first scans are performed post treatment. I guess worry will be the norm from now on all because of one phone call saying you have stage 4 cancer.
  • Hard12Find
    Hard12Find Member Posts: 218 Member
    #10
    Joan
    Sounds like you and John got a much needed break, that is such good news.....we are all pulling for a positive outcome. I know what you mean wondering what the cells are doing. My first treatments were delayed a week due to infection around the peg. Feeling better and starting on Monday.
    Jim

Discussion Boards