Radiation or not

is to get every one of those nasty cancer cells that may be still hanging around.  I can't give you reasons for wanting to live many more years....well, I could give you my reasons, but that wouldn't be the same .

My mom had a laryngectomy....and had 30 rads after (starting a month after surgery).  Since she didn't have chemo with her radiation, the thing she suffered from most was fatigue....I don't remember her ever mentioning a sore throat.  Much of her taste was affected simply by not being able to use her nose to smell food due to the surgery. 

I wouldn't skip it, since you've already had the surgery....why not carry the ball to the goal post?  You don't know what the future holds....this site proves that "online friends" are still very good friends.....if you meet them in person or not.

p

Kim,

I can only echo the words of the others above. Allot depends on what is involved for you as you state that you are alone. Fatigue will become an issue in the later weeks of treatment, not at the begining as the Rad's are accumlative.

I was able to drive myself to and from my treatments that were 30 miles away. It could take as long as 1 hour in travel time depending the traffic situation. I planned my treatments for 10:30 AM so I would be later then the morning rush hour traffic and done before the evening traffic. The final weeks, I did drive, but would take a nap in the afternoon.

I had the PEG tube, so getting nutrition in was a matter of me using the gravity method and filling up.

My Best to You and Everyone Here

Kim,

I agree with what Candi and Phrannie have said.  The rads will kill any lingering cancer cells they hit.  You want to be sure to get rid of it.

Regardless, your doctor will keep you on a tight leash and be watching for any reoccurrence (catch it early).

As said, the actual rads are easy; it is the (possible) side effects that will pinch you.

I was given all the options and chose surgery, rads and Erbitux, it was a bit _ _, but so far I am clear and getting better on all fronts.

I had my wife to care for me so can only speculate on a plan without her.  It is fathomable, it just will take more planning.

Best of luck,

Matt

When my husband started his journey in 2010 for laryngeal cancer, it was radiation and chemo first.  We were told that was the preferred method.  His tumor was large but had no spread anywhere.  Well they told us he was NED after his treatment.  Not true.  He had a complete laryngectomy, partial neck dissection and throat reconstruction (due to radiation) in March 2011.  I won't kid you head and neck radiation is the worse there is.  But it supposedly does kill cancer cells, doesn't mean they won't spread or return though.  He was NED for 1 year when he decided to have a TEP.  To our surprise and shock, a tumor was found at the cervical of his esopahgus.  Once again radiation and chemo, no surgery.  This time the radiation wasn't as bad on him as the first time.  His throat did close off but the specialist was able to open it without any problems this time.  The second round of radiation did shrink his esophagus. 

Since you had your surgery first, you might not experience what he experienced with his first round of 35 radiation treatments and that was the closure of his throat which required reconstruction during his largynectomy.  The only problems he had with the second round of 35 radiation treatments was the skin burned this time due to the skin graft on his neck.  Sore throat definitely but there is Magic mouthwash which helps and pain pills. 

Another site that might help you because it deals mainly with laryngectomees is www.webwhispers.com.  They are great when you have questions regarding laryngectomy.  This site is great too but there are not too many here who have had a laryngectomy.  All head and neck cancers seem to have the same side effects when it comes to the radiation.

Radiation will tire you out.  Many do radiation and chemo at the same time and that makes your sick.  Many people are able to drive themselves to and from their radiation treatments without any problems, while others towards the end need help especially when chemo is involved.  I know of those that continued to work during radiation and chemo and live alone.   We were told to notify 911 that my husband was a laryngectomee so that if a call came from our phone and no one could talk that was the reason.  I also found stickers that I have on our cars and house storm doors saying that there is a neck breather in the car or the house.   Webwhispers told me about these stickers and where to get them.

Just remember everyone is different in how they react to treatment.  Wishing you the best -- Sharon

kim, i am so very sorry that you feel all alone.  cancer is hard to deal with and especially if u think u r alone.  u sound like u have family but maybe aren't real close.  maybe u could tell them of ur illness and maybe they will surprise u and want to b ther for you.  i would certainly want to be there for my family member.

i too am a laryngectomee.  i had larynx cancer in 8/09 and went thru 35 rad tx.  in 2/12 the cancer came back and i had the surgery (laryngectomy).  i had family but i still felt ALL ALONE and very depressed.  this was a HUGE change in my life and i didn't know how to deal with it.  i stayed to myself and pretty much gave up on life.  it took me 1.5 years to realize that i still had a life to live!!!!!  my younger sister got seriously sick and it made me realize that my life is different but at least i'm ALIVE and CANCER FREE!!!  i wasted so much time be'n depressed over be'n different when i was actually the same person only w/o the cancer.  today i'm sorry for the time i lost be'n depressed and i live everyday!  i encourage u to think about the tx b/c your life will gt better!  the tx is rough but it is DEFINITELY  DOABLE!!  we will be here to encourage u and help u w/any questions u may have.  u can send me a pm if u want.  i will be praying for you!!  please let us know what u decide.

God bless you.

dj

the people on this board are some of the kindest,caring knowledgable people I've ever met, and yet, I only know them on-line.

In November 2011, I had surgery to remove my epiglottis, my surgeon used the di vinci robot to do a radical neck dissection. I knew there was the possibility of chemo and/or radiation. The lymph nodes all came back negative and I was spared these treatments..IF, my surgeon( who I love and will trust til the end ) had said I needed the treatments, I would not have though twice, they would be done.

I don't know your circumstances, but, it's time to start reaching out..we have almost become family on this board...it really is an amazing feeling to know you can come here and always find support.

We welcome you to the club that no one wants to belong to~~best of luck with your decision

Skiffin16 said:

Welcome Kim...

Radiation or not....

As mentioned, it's your choice and decision...

As my ENT whom I totally trust and saved my life put it to me this way...., and this was after I already had my tonsils out (STGIII) and had TPF.

You could stop here, but I highly recommend you continue treatment. For me that meant an additional seven weeks of daily rads, and weekly chemo..., along with the amifostine injections in my belly each day just before rads.

He said he has had some that didn't continue and so far so good..., a few that didn't and it didn't work out in their favor.

To me I went with the most aggressive and pro-active regime' offered...

Kill it straight out, full steam ahead...

Radiation is the one treatment that keeps on giving, you'll have various side effects going out to two years or longer.., most deminish within the first year or so. It's brutal, but you can get through it...

But, at least the chances of being here for many years is greater..., that's the plus.

I guess it always comes down to how lucky are you, or do you feel...?

Best,

John

 

As for me I do.  I have a biopsy (Aug 2012) and was benign.  MRI and CT scan reports, no word of C.  Decided to postpone my surgery cos of my holiday trip and marathon in Dec 2012.After I am done with, fixed my surgery on 24 Jan 2013 and was told to do another CT scan and MRI.  Still no word of C.  Surgery done and surgeon says he did a very clean job.  But post Histopathology report says SCC Stage 4 and lymph nodes not affected.  ENT recommended RT and chemo.  I also go ahead (becos I love myself) knowing what I will be facing with the side effects of RT and chemo.  Kim, if you love yourself, my advise is GO AHEAD and don't wait.  Yes, radiation on the head and neck area is brutal and there are side effects but after post treatment it will slowly gets better and better.  God Bless You.