Hi there ...

It's always hard deciding ... if only we had a crystal ball... but we can only weigh up all the info, for and against ... you are the only one ultimately that can make the decision ... but it has to be your choice... it's your life .. don't let any one push you one way or the other ... like our parents used to say .. you make your bed... you lie in it .. l think meaning was, then there's only us to blame if it goes wrong ..

I'll tell you about my journey ... at first l felt a lump in my Brest... l knew it was cancer .. as I'd had 4 call backs with other lumps, that were fine ... this was different ... I left it for nearly 2 years ( letting nature take its course) for many many reasons ... it got picked up on a chest x ray ... and I had to face it ..

I was going to leave things as it was ... not through being scared, but other reasons ...wanting just like you to have quality over quantity.... but my oncology surgeon told me it was very near comming through the skin ... and if it did the smell from this is unmaskable ... nothing would stop it .. he gave me a week to think things over ... my wonderful niece and l had a heart to heart ... though she would support me no matter what l decided ... my whole family were right behind me ...

I came to think it was a no brainer .. my lump was a grade 3 ... l agreed to a total masectomy on that boob .. as the thought of it comming through was my worse case sinario... l had the op .. luckily it was contained and low risk of spread .. so didn't need chemo .. but was recommended radiotherapy... I also too a week to think about it ... I weighed everything up .. and as I've got many bone problems, decided not to have it, as the risk to my all ready weak bones was the governing factor ...

I did go on the tablet 'tamoxifen ' for a few years .. which early on had a few side effects but has settled .. I'm nearly 65 by the way .. I'm blessed to say, I'm still here and doing well nearly 2 years on .. l made all my decisions .. my surgeon was the most wonderful man lve ever met.. supporting me all the way .. while saying he would be just a phone call away ... l can't tell you how much it ment to have control on my journey.... even if it had taken me, l wouldn't have regretted my decision... 

I've had an amazing couple of years ... Christmas in Florida .. and the time with my amazing grandkids are priceless ... every day to me is a bonus .. every day l wake up and say .. oh my, I'm still here ... loosing a boob was a small price to pay for the time I've been given ..l wouldn't be here now without the masectomy... looking cancer square in the eyes and staying true to yourself is the way to go ...

Now you need to work out what is right for you ... take a little time ... then do what your heart and brain tell you .. and once you decide, don't look back with regret ... and fingers crossed you make the right decision for you ....

Chrissie xx

Thanks Chrissie

Really appreciate your comments. Shame that Radiation is so invasive otherwise the matter would be much simpler.

With thanks Alan

Hi Alantc!

This is such a personal and hard decition... There is a group of lovely people in this forum who have been/are going through radiation for throat cancer and may give you their experience which I think is the most valuable. I guess you have discussed this with your team but there is a lot of people with this kind of cancer that get rid of it thanks to the treatment. Our amazing [@RadioactiveRaz]‍ was biking as a champion through Spain some months after treatment so I am sure she will guide you in this situation.

But at the end this is totally up to you. Love :love:

Hi 

this is Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz the radio is invasive but honestly manageable like I say I am a 62 Now year old wimp who cried if I broke a nail !!! Now I can talk people through treatment from having a mask made to coping with nasal feedingbtube and 3 rd degree burn in neck .But the decision atbthe end ifvthe day is yours. What tumour stage are you if you know ? And are you h p v 16 + all those things do have a factor in treatment outcomes. 

I was T2N2NM0 h p v 16 + 

which translate to Tumour 2-4 cm nodes 2 but by time treatment scan nodes were at least 5 one which was too close to spinal,cord to be operated in but fine for radiotherapy,now the accuracy is a high degree . N0 is no metastatic spread .

hope this helps if you want to send me a friend request I will reply in a personal replyl if you want .

take care H x

Hey Alan Sorry you find yourself in this situation. My husband is going through radiotherapy for throat cancer at the moment . I’m hoping that I can change your mind , your quality of life will only change for a little while . I know everyone is different but my husband hasn’t spent one day in bed yet and his treatment has almost finished , yes he feels rubbish bit just his throat not the rest of his body that still functions. The treatment is manageable you are closely monitored by the team all the way through , pain medication is very controlled as is your diet and speech . Perhaps join the chat group here under radiotherapy for throat cancer and I promise you that  you will get loads and loads of support from us all there people like Hazel , John , Anchor & Newly married to name a few  . You are still young my mother in law is 88 next week ! And you too could have many years left yet. It’s a very treatable cancer with a high positive outcome . . Please do it or at least give it a try . Best wishes Ginny x 

Thanks Hazel. I have been reading your most helpful blog. What I like most is the honesty of it, telling it like it is and that is important to know. Glad you are making progress. 

I have only spoken to one person who knew someone who was too late for treatment to be effective, so that nature took its course. It didn't sound at all pleasant, but like, taking the treatment, it is an aspect that needs to be known

Thank you Ginny for reponse and best wishes for you and your husband.

I will be pleased to join the chat group under radiotherapy for throat cancer, if I can find it.

Regards Alan

Hi Alan it’s under Living with cancer sub section 

Radiotherapy for Throat Cancer started by Anchor 1707

h x