Hi all, I'm male, 46. I had surgery on 2/17/06 to have a mass removed from my upper lip. It turned out to be cancer (poro-carcinoma , very rare)it also spread to a lymph node on the right upper neck. That node along with 17 others were all removed. The additional 17 nodes were all negative. My lip reconstruction looks really good considering the Doc had to remove 40% of my upper lip, I'm very pleased with the outcome.

I am now in prep for 6 weeks of radiation. I've just had all the dental prep done, 2 deep cleanings and 3 extractions. Next I get my dental trays made. I go in on the 18th to get my mask made and the area to be radiated mapped out. The treatments should start around the 1st of may.

I feel great right now. I've read about the possible side effects of the radiation and I know I will be feeling worse about 2 to 3 weeks in, but I'm ready for it.
Well that's my story so far.

Considering what you have gone through so far you really seem to have done well. Hopefully the radiotherapy will go just as smoothly.
It depends, partly,on how much of the face,neck, throat and tongue area being irradiated.
I found things getting difficult into the 3rd week. At the beginning of the 4th week I had to spend a few days in hospital on an antibiotic drip to clear up my many mouth infections.It did the job and I just about held out for the next few weeks of RT (33 sessions in all) I did have a large area irradiated tho. Both sides of the neck, my tongue and throat.
You'll be ok. Make sure you keep up your calorie intake and take vitamin supplements.

Good luck mate - Tony

Thanks Tony, My Oncologist says I should do well through out the radiation treatments. The area being treated is half of my upper lip area and the right side of my neck. I will recive the mimimal dose 5 days a week for 6 weeks. I've been told to expect to loose my facial hair on the right side, loss of taste ,possible loss of saliva, and sore throat. I've been eating protien like made the past few weeks and I've gained 11 pounds. I've read a lot of horror stories on the effects of head and neck radiation and I hope I come through it as smoothly as possible.