Hi bassbuddy.

Its a crucial decision and probably deserves a bit more deliberation after asking questions of the consultant. The all clear does not mean that all the cancer cells are gone just that none were found in the samples sent to the lab. The radiotherapy is a belt and braces approach to mopping up any possible remaining cancer. 11 years ago I had radiotherapy to jaw neck and throat after a radical neck dissection with removal of parotid gland and lymph nodes. The process is tough especially last few weeks and a fortnight after. It took me around 6 months to recover. My side effects were dry mouth, loss of taste, extreme difficulty swallowing food. Raw sore mouth, Skin burns permanent loss of beard on one side of face. Hardening of neck throat muscles Long term (15 years) increased risk of secondary cancer and osteonecrosis of the jaw. However I got through it with the wonderful help and care of the radiotherapy team. The prognosis was one year survival without treatment and long term remission with radiotherapy. Ive had 10 very good years of life since. The cancer has now come back and is incurable but I am taking a chance on every treatment offered to slow the progress and Im still enjoying life just returned from a weeks holiday in Portugal. Modern radiotherapy machines are even more targetted with less side effects. Listen very carefully to your wifes consultant write down the questions to ask and the answers given. Then take a bit of time to finally decide. Personally I would take every treatment offered to give the best chance of beating this very unforgiving disease. 

Ed

Hi bassbuddy.

Its a crucial decision and probably deserves a bit more deliberation after asking questions of the consultant. The all clear does not mean that all the cancer cells are gone just that none were found in the samples sent to the lab. The radiotherapy is a belt and braces approach to mopping up any possible remaining cancer. 11 years ago I had radiotherapy to jaw neck and throat after a radical neck dissection with removal of parotid gland and lymph nodes. The process is tough especially last few weeks and a fortnight after. It took me around 6 months to recover. My side effects were dry mouth, loss of taste, extreme difficulty swallowing food. Raw sore mouth, Skin burns permanent loss of beard on one side of face. Hardening of neck throat muscles Long term (15 years) increased risk of secondary cancer and osteonecrosis of the jaw. However I got through it with the wonderful help and care of the radiotherapy team. The prognosis was one year survival without treatment and long term remission with radiotherapy. Ive had 10 very good years of life since. The cancer has now come back and is incurable but I am taking a chance on every treatment offered to slow the progress and Im still enjoying life just returned from a weeks holiday in Portugal. Modern radiotherapy machines are even more targetted with less side effects. Listen very carefully to your wifes consultant write down the questions to ask and the answers given. Then take a bit of time to finally decide. Personally I would take every treatment offered to give the best chance of beating this very unforgiving disease. 

Ed