Squamous cell carcinoma

We seriously can't offer you advice on your clinical condition. 

We can offer support based on our emotional and clinical experiences. 

On that basis I would say take time to think through the options offered by your clinical team (they are the experts).  Speak to your clinical nurse specialist and understand the risks and benefits.  Involve your family in your decision process.  You need to make the right decision for you.  Pain can be controlled and you can be kept as safe as possibly by the hospital bearing in mind your co-morbidities.

Good luck and keep us involved in this site if it helps.

Like a few of us have said in your other thread. Please be guided by your medical team. They are the experts. 
And to answer your other question about losing hair with radiotherapy the answer is basically no, not like some chemo drugs. 
I had the machine deliver my radiation to the back of my tongue by going all round my head, concentrating on the one side. I lost a little crescent of hair at the nape if my neck but that has grown back a little. 
Men tend to lose their whiskers and that can be permanent. 

Hi Mummy13

I'm so sorry you're having to make this decision - I can read the anxiety in your posts.  This forum is a great place to be for support and advice from people who have been through similar treatment.

Where abouts on your tongue is the tumour?  Is it on the base of your tongue (ie on the part of your tongue in your throat) or somewhere else?  I've had surgery to remove the tumour from the base of my tongue together with a neck dissection to remove lymph nodes and followed 4 weeks later with radiotherapy.

Do you have other family as well as your daughter who can help support you during your treatment?  Not forgetting friends too. 

Linda x 

Hi Linda the lump is on the underneath of my tongue.my hubby and 15 year old daughter is here and my friends.i am seeing oncology Tue and 3 hour pre op Wednesday.hope your treatment went ok .x

Hi Mummy 13

Good luck with your appt tomorrow.  I'm assuming it is to discuss your treatment plan?  If possible make sure you have someone with you to help make notes/ask questions/remember information.  It can be a lot to take on board.  And please make them aware of all your concerns so they can reassure you and come up with a suitable course of treatment.

Do keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on and good luck for Wednesday.

All the best

Linda x 

Hi Linda just got home surgeon said op was a 25 percent chance I would not get through the op and if I did would not get through the recovery without a dangerous infection.so going to be every day radiotherapy for 7 weeks going to.be a tough journey.still not got results from left neck Mandy 

Hi just quick  message I i did 7 weeks Radiotherapy and 2 big. All day  chemo sessions for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes.Its tough and brutal but if I can do it as a 61 year old you can do it ! There’s a lot of us in here for advise we’ve been there and done it and come through the other side I am now 19 month post radiotherapy .

my blog is below with links to others any help we can give just shout out

Hazel xx

Hi Mandy

Thanks for updating us on the outcome of your meeting.

There are many of us on this forum who've had radiotherapy and we're here to tell the tale so plenty of support and advice available.

It can be a tough treatment so do ensure you let your family and friends know so they can help with practical things.

Incidentally there are  a few on the forum at the moment who also  have additional underlying health problems and are about to undergo treatment - no doubt you've read their posts.

I wish you all the best.  Take care.

Linda x