Decisions Decisions Decisions

Lindielou said:

So hard to know the right decision.

It’s a difficult one. 
RT is a challenge but most of us make a good recovery. 
Would your surgery involve a neck dissection as well? 
PFJTHS Peter delayed Radiotherapy and was on regular frequent routine check ups but ended up having it anyway. Have a look at his profile. Not quite the same as you are dealing with but very similar. His cancer was found then it disappeared on further surgery. 
He is the first to say that he did a lot in that 2? years he was on watch and wait and wouldn’t have done it any other way. 

No denying that RT is a very tough gig, I was 68 at diagnosis managed the treatment.... Best to let the professionals guide you, they have the experience.... try not to be influenced by Google....at the end of the day the decision will be yours.

Good luck

Peter 

I was in the mind of throwing everything at the cancer to get rid of it, and willing to go with anything the team told me was needed, to get rid of it. The treatment is certainly very challenging, but it does give very high cure rates.

 Good luck with whatever you decide Ray.

Hi, there was a split decision from MDT regarding the surgery v chemoradiation route. I met with the surgeon who was suggesting robot for internal surgery and traditional for external bit and then met the oncologist who went through the chemoradiation process. I also asked for another MDT to review my case and spoke to specialists via Cancer Research UK and Macmillan. I eventually opted for the chemoradiation as my lump was over the guidelines for surgery only. Every professional I spoke to said that given the size of the lump, I'd almost certainly have to have radiotherapy after surgery.  It was very difficult having this difference of opinion but to be fair, my main consultant had - from day 1 - recommended chemoradiation route.  The treatment is brutal but do-able. I had a a feeding tube fitted but didn't have to use it. The mask is weird but you're not on the table long so you can distract yourself.  Weirdly, the 6 weeks goes by quite quickly.  For me, the first 2 were fine; the second 2 were a bit of a challenge and the final two were pretty tough. You need to factor in time post treatment too before you actually begin your descent and road to recovery but like I said, it was do-able. I am now 18 months post treatment and pretty much back to normal.  A few taste issues (largely things that are different now to how I remember them) but otherwise all good. If you want to chat more, drop me a message.

Best of luck, Lisa 

I had no choice

wish I had of had

go with your gut is telling you

Hi yes neck dissection as well.

Wish they'd not given me the choice to make. Alot of crying today.

Hi if it’s any help. I would want to throw everything at it I couldn’t live with the thought ….. had a teeny cell escaped. You could turn the question round to the consultant and say ok I’m your wife what would you recommend her to do. I did that with my 3 rd chemo session I was undecided as I had done really well and didn’t want to push my luck. I do think it’s unfair to put onus on patients 

Plus I had chemo radiotherapy would I do it again the answer is yes I’ve had a fab 7 years and look g do the next decade or 2. at least  . Reckon a year out if my life was worth it in the long game  but that’s my look on it  

hugs Hazel. 

Lindielou said:

Wish they'd not given me the choice to make. Alot of crying today.

I bet! How awful to give you such a choice.
As I’ve said before I would throw everything at it. Much is said of how brutal RT is. Yes it’s really rubbish for a few weeks but it meant, for me, that I would be “cured” and I have thrived since then. 

RadioactiveRaz said:

Reckon a year out if my life was worth it in the long game

Me too. I’ve had fab years since  treatment end.  

RadioactiveRaz said:

You could turn the question round to the consultant and say ok I’m your wife what would you recommend her to do.

The trouble with that is that a surgeon would say operate and an oncologist, radiate.