Hi Jono,  I do not have your cancer and not familiar with it.  I had cancer 12 years ago and had radiotherapy for 20 sessions.  It doesn't hurt and is over quickly only symptom was tiredness. I was diagnosed with cancer again last year.  I just had one blast of radio this time.  I would definitely do everything you can to reduce the risk of reoccurrence  What do your family think?

Lee.  

Hi, Lee.

Thanks for your reply and sorry to hear about your diagnosis again.

My family and friends are mixed to be honest.

Some say do it, some say don't and some say "yeah, it's up to you, mate." ( Aye, thanks for your help ) LOL

It was the long list of side effects, possible/ not possible, that the consultant gave me that meant I was leaning towards not doing it.

But I change my mind every five minutes, which is why I reached out here to ask people who have experienced it.

Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts and hope you are well and healthy now.

John

Hi John,  it's up to you is really helpful :) .  The long list of side effects does not mean you will get any of them.  If you read the side effects of paracetamol it would scare you.  I don't mean to down play cancer , but you will likely not get many side effects and if you do they have medication to counteract them.  Radiotherapy I found was a lot easier than the chemotherapy.  I drove myself there and back to radio every day.  You don't want it to come back.  

Lee

Hello Jono64,

l live with the after effects of radiotherapy. For me it was the choice of doing everything possible to kill off the thing that was trying its best to kill me, and accept their could be a high bill to pay for doing so. 

Mine was at the start of my treatment alongside chemo in order to give myself a chance of surgical intervention. Along with post surgery chemo,the regime both took things from me,and gave lifetime problems to me. Like any other medical issues you collect along the way, you compensate and cope and find a new path towards the continued fulfillment of your life

Ten years on l look upon these additions to my life as a reminder of the gratitude l carry that l can and do lead an active life,and have a clear mind free of any doubts of not doing everything possible to be able to stand here today.

l live my future, not regret my past decisions, l wish you the best in reaching yours,

David

Thanks, Lee.

It was the possible damage to the reconstruction that I had on my chest that threw me most.

Still  recovering from that and the thought of doing it all again for a 5% improvement are the thoughts that are whizzing around my head.

Thanks again for your input.

I really do appreciate it.

Hello jono

Itts a hard choice. 1 in 6.5 odds verses 1 in 10 odds of recurrence. Possible side effects, fatigue, nausea, skin burns colour changes, loss of hair. Long term 15 years+ a small chance of a new cancer. Im sure your oncologist listed more. I had radiotherapy 10 years ago I still cant grow a beard on half my face and I have a permanent suntan but it has kept me cancer free with a good quality of life until last year. Increasing the odds 30% in your favour to remain cancer free is worth consideration. Modern machines give a more targeted and precise dose than the ones used on me 10 years ago. All the best whatever you decide.

Ed

Hi, David.

Thanks for getting in touch.

gruntifen said:

and have a clear mind free of any doubts of not doing everything possible to be able to stand here today.

Yeah, that is one of the major thoughts running through my head.

The whole " what if "

To be honest if the consultant had told me he was 85% confident of it not returning I would have shook his hand and skipped out of his office.

Now, my head is in a spin.

Thanks again for your input.

So glad you are still here and living your best life.