Radiotherapy after a neck dissection

Thanks x

Hi Where in Spain are you? There’s an organisation called MABS in Javea on Costa Bianca they are staffed by English nurses and both I and Dani knew   She was in from Extramaduea Cacares  and they were a huge help to her and her hubby. I can locate the number if you’re interested ? 
 Hazel 

I'm about 2 hours from Javea. There's none near us we're in sort of the middle of the mountains, but thanks anyway

Welcome my friend was 650 km  away but they still helped her over the phone. 

Hazel 

I have absolutely no regrets about not having radiotherapy last time. I had two years of good health and was in a fit state to support one of my children through a life threatening illness which I certainly would not have been able to do if I had had it.

  I feel that many people say they want quality over quantity in life but when it comes to the crunch it is a very difficult decision to make! Certainly this time the decision has been a difficult one as my surgeon is pretty sure there are still cancer cells lurking in my neck. The oncologist told me there are inevitable changes after radiotherapy. It is really a case of trying to assess whether they are liveable with when you dont know what they will be. Quite a quandary!

Like you I am uncomfortable with the mopping up radiotherapy as a large amount of tissue has to be covered. I think I would cope better if there was a tumour to aim for.

Good luck with your decision and the good thing is that, whichever road you decide to travel, you will never know where the other road would have taken you.

Thanks for your reply Screech Owl, I was in this position 14yrs ago, different cancer, and although a lot younger I didn't hesitate to refuse further treatment after surgery. I ended up with a wonderful 14yrs in which I did everything and more that I ever wanted. This time I find myself possibly bowing to pressure.

The horrendous side effects would definitely reduce my quality of life as for me travelling and dining out, trying different foods is the main part of my life. 

Again like you I'm hesitating more because I have no target and also if I use this one chance on no target, what happens if it returns. Then I've already used my one go.

Yes to most people it seems a silly idea to opt out of a possible life saving therapy just because of saying 6-12 months misery, but like you I can't cling on just for the sake of it.

So thank you for your words. I'll be interested as to what your final decision is and I hope you choose the right path.

Hi Screech and Tbpm I had radio therapy and chemo first before my neck dissection and have just finished chemo and 5fu in June .  Unfortunately there is no answer that works for us all and really we can only be guided by the doctors or our own gut feeling. I have no regrets as got diagnosed in 2020 so very happy still being here and will take any treatment rather than the alternative at the moment but I can fully understand having a different view if in pain and discomfort . Let's hope we dont have to go down that road please God . All the Best Minmax 

Hi Screech Owl,

I hope you are well. I don't know if you made your decision, but wanted to let you know my experience now. In the end I opted for the treatment...60gy over 30 sessions of radiotherapy plus 2 chemo.

I'm now halfway through week 5 with just 8 sessions to go. So far the only side effects I've had is loss of taste, or shall I say taste has been substituted for a not too nice one! However that's more an annoyance than a life changer. I researched well and put into place everything I could think of, with the results of keeping the effects at bay. I have had no pain as yet, not even a twinge as I've kept my mouth wet throughout. I'm still eating solids although much smaller meals frequently. No neck burns. I had severe nausea for about a week after the first chemo so I did lose a couple of Kg but overall I've actually gained 1kg since the first day of treatment.

I just wanted you to be aware that these horrific side effects do not always happen. I hope this can possibly help with your decision.

Thanks for letting me know Tbpm. I have taken the opposite path - let's see where they lead!  Good luck with the rest of the treatment and I hope you get through without any long lasting negative side effects.  So, happy days and many of them!

That's a very brave decision and I have total respect for you taking that path, as I did 14yrs ago. Trust your gut is what I always say. 

So good luck and likewise many happy days ahead.