I had 6 weeks of radiatio last year with he last 2 beig twice a day! It has left me with some side effects such as a feeling of a "lump" in my throat which is especially hard every time you swallow & damage to my epiglottis. My voice has changed & I am generally tired a lot....but...I am cancer-free and this is a great thing! This type of cancer treatment is Very difficult!!

I did radiation on a tomotherapy machine. My protocal was two times per day for 7 weeks. It was amazingly difficult! Some problems I have had are:
extreme dry mouth but with excessive mucous
Sores on my throat
My tongue turned into one big blister
Because of all that I ended up on a feeding tube.
This treatment helped shrink the cancer but it did not get it all.

My dad sis this treatment....It was extremely difficult for him. He had alot of mucus, trouble swallowing, sores on his neck, and thrush in his mouth, especially his tongue. It helped to shrink the cancer that was left after surgery but it did not get it all.

I have to get a PET/CT next Tuesday to see if there are any CA cells. My jaw joint is sticky way out. That is just above where the previous tumor was. I'm trying to stay positive though. The radiation caused 2 fillings to crack, now because of cavities I have to get 2 crowns. $$$

How are you doing? My dad is going through the same thing & I wondered how you are doing. I know this has been an extremely hard process for you, I can't imagine.

I had 36 radiation treatments. They did not work. The cancer had more time to grow. Now I'm getting chemo. I'm bald, so I guess it is working. When getting radiation have a good daydream (imagry) ready. It helps.

My husband had 39 tomotherapy sesssions 1x @5 days a week. The last 2 weeks were the roughest. Excessive mucus is an unfortunate side effect. It has taken 3 months before the mucus is gone. PET scan last week shows cancer totally gone. It did damage the nerve going up the side of the throat and into the ear. Still painful to eat see comments on eating.

I had 35 radiation treatments (once a day, Monday-Friday for seven weeks)to both sides of my neck and throat, and my upper chest. My throat, mouth and tongue were so sore I could not eat anything solid. Everything tasted horrible by week three. I started out at 186 lbs. and went down to 165. My oncologist said if I hit 160 he was going to insist on a feeding tube. I concocted a hi protein high vitamin milk shake that I drank four times a day and I managed to avoid the feeding tube. Ten years later, I still battle dry mouth since my two major saliva glands were killed by the radiation. Would I do it again? Absolutely. I am alive and walking today because of the aggressive approach to treatment.

I agree with Pastor Bob. I had 3 rounds of chemo (in the hospital for 5 days on a 24-hour drip), 70 radiation treatements (2X/day for 7 weeks), and radiation implants.

I still carry my water with me wherever I go because my salivary glands were killed. It was a tough battle, but I would do it again.

I'm going through raiation right now and have 7 more treatments to go which will bring me to 30 treatments and 3 sessions of chemo.

It's not easy and it's tough because they tell me they don't see any signs since my 2 surgeries but they want me to do the rad/chemo anyway... and they won't know even afterwards because there is no way to test for Tonsil cancer. All they can do is look for a mass. but I'm doing it since I want to keep breathing.

My sense of taste returned to normal several months after radiation treatments were over. I still get cramps in my neck, for doc told me to use a "U" shaped neck support with heat. Mine does not have heat but it vibrates and works great when my neck cramps. Chemo for life for me, always write down any side effects when you experience them so you will remember to tell the doc. Our lives are so much more than our cancer. You can do this.

Reading this discussion gives me some hope....I have just answered one that left me totally hopeless BUT here are some positive things being related.

I am on day 10 of radition therapy....I have had 3 heavy (week long) chemo sessions & now have weekly lighter chemo sessions.

I seem to have all the side effects that everyone else here has related....the sore throat, mouth & tongue; not being able to wear lower dentures & the absolute loss of taste & dry mouth necessitating at least one bottle of water everywhere I go. It did raise my spirits some that some taste buds regenerate.

The upside of my treatments so far is that the large pecan/small walnut sized tumor can no longer be seen with the naked eye....part of me wishes they would rx a PET Scan to see if it is gone so they could stop all treatment but I know, logically, they have the experience as to how long it takes to kill the cancer.

The other problems for us is the cost...it is 75 miles roundtrip to the cancer center I go to. The American Cancer Society does have grants for gas money but no set schedule for the pay outs. I have been told that the money may not come thru until after all treatments are done. While they still will be helpful, trying to get the money together with the fluxuating cost of gas is a big trial. Just figured out the bills for this month &, if I don't cut back in some places....food???? (I get Angel Food to help with this), I don't know how we are going to make the everyday trips. Even with an economical car, it still runs about $15 every 2 days, which is almost $200 a month. Terribly frustrating.

Shoot, I've written enough here....guess I'll take another Ativan & see if the nerves & worries get down to a more stable level before I have to leave for today's radiation.

Down to 4 more radiation sessions & 1 chemo, which I will get on Friday.

Missed yesterday's radiation as on Monday, my throat, which the doctor described as looking like "raw hamburger" really got to me, so cancelled appointment & stayed home. Is a bit better today, so, hopefully, can take today & tomorrow's treatments...rest over the weekend...& then complete treatments on Monday & Tuesday.

Wish more people would write on this site as it makes me realize I am not alone with this pain but I can understand their not...somedays I am just mute because of the pain.

At least the end is in sight & maybe, in a few weeks things will be better.

Does anyone know how the professionals know how many radiation treatments are necessary when the cancer was surgically removed, and the pathology report states "did not extend to the margins"?

I have received 18 treatments 1 x daily x 5 days weekly so far. At treatment #13 I could not swallow because of the pain. I stopped treatment (on my own) at that time and after 2 weeks, the pain was gone. Now I am undergoing another 20 - 25 treatments with a lesser dose of rads in order to hopefully prevent the throat pain this time.

There is no tumor to look at or measure. This is strictly for "prevention" purposes. How many treatments are necessary? I can't seem to get a straight answer...

Thanks

I had a co-worker whose husband went through this type of radiation, and he ended up with no saliva in his mouth. He had to carry water with him all the time and he could not eat solid food. He was taking ensure. He is still around 6 yrs later, so I think he overcame the ca!