Hi again,
I got the pathology report from my surgery (tongue resection) on Aug. 15 and my neck dissection (RHS) showed microscopic cancer cells in one lymph node out of 19 removed. I am so upset by this because before surgery I was told I would 99% need only surgery and was pretty floored. Does this mean I must have the radiation to both mouth and neck or just to the neck? I hate the thought of radiating the healthy tissue in my mouth and does radiation to the neck affect the vocal cords? I am a professional singer and am so worried that this is it. I am going to meet with an oncologist, currently only have a surgeon, to discuss options. Any one have any advice? Thanks for your time.

Hi Pamela
I too am a singer and have been since I was tiny, so I know exactly how you are feeling because I've been there.
I had 6 wks intense radiotherapy to my neck and was told that I would never sing again! I refused treatment at first because of this, but my tumours were so aggresive I ended up not having a choice.After my second neck disection my lower lip and my tongue were paralysed, so I couldn't talk never mind sing but I had speach therapy and my voice came back. All through the treatment I was 100% positive I would sing again and with my husband encouraging me, telling me my audience was waiting!I kept myself going by saying 'This won't beat me'
All I can say is, yes, the treatment is tough and you voice will change , I had speach therapy for a few months as my voice was very weak. But 7 months after treatment I was back on that stage in front of 500 people with all my hospital team including my surgeon in the audience amazed. My surgeon actually uses me as an example for his patients
My advice to you is THINK POSITIVE I know its a cliche but it worked for me

Best wishes
Tracey
ps I have sent you a private message

Hello Pamela

Your oncologist would be able to advise you best. If radiotherapy is needed. the newer machines and techniques are more tissue sparing.

TomoTherapy Highly Integrated Adaptive Radiotherapy (HI-ART) is a new radiation therapy option now available in the USA. It combines an advanced form of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) with the accuracy of CT scanning technology and advanced tools so that planning and delivering radiation therapy is done with one machine. According to the maufacturer's, "An on-board CT scanner helps the care team determine if the tumor has shifted or changed shape since the last treatment. This information allows the radiation oncologist to plan the treatment better to avoid damage to muscle tissue, the spine, the lungs and other sensitive organs."

You can read about it here:

• TomoTherapy - Revolutionary Cancer Therapy
• The TomoTherapy Hi-Art System
• TomoTherapy HI-ART

Hope that helps. Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod

Dear Tracy,
This is my first post to you and am glad to make your aquaintance. I am the general joker in the pack and enjoy chatting with everyone in this extended family of mine.
I am really more then just happy for you - that you can sing once again. Trust me thats a huge achievement. Singing is normally just another part of normal life but when you go through the problems it becomes something special, which you have to destroy to get back - and you have.
I recall asking my doctor if I could talk in chinese and he asked me to go ahead - there was just one problem - I do not speak chinese (I now,I know -its a stale joke but do laugh or at least smile!)
One thing we have in common and that is doctors words of think potitive. I think almost everyone here does and at times when one feels down everyone rallies to get the depression out of one life. I think I have to think positive as I am the eldest male in the family since my father pased away ( and we are very large familY) Cancer did not make things easier but I guess it was my attitude towards the cacncer that pulled me through. Its been seven years now and I lead a very normal life, except for a few scars and problems Cancer left for me to remember him forever.

So with that last line, I sign off and do look forward to your postings and by th eway say Hi to your hubby.
Love,
Ananth

Hi Ananth
Thanks for your post, Its good to have a joker in the pack, theres enough doom and gloom where this illness is concerned don't you think.
I don't think we ever get over it completely as you say we have all got scars, both physical and mental that we have to deal with on a daily basis. I have a scar from one ear to the other,which even though I am in front of large audiences each week don't bother me.The way I see it I'm proud of my scars because I am still Here, and I don't mind talking about what I've been through either. The problem I find hardest to deal with is depression.....I have come through the worst possible surgery and treatment and yet 2 years later I am struck with this illness, which I find very hard to shake off.
But luckily I have this forum to moan to....as you all understand better than anyone else how I feel.

Best wishes and keep telling your jokes
Tracey

Dear Tracey
Wow !! Its great to know I can add one more lovely woman to my female fans ( eh, all you ladies, please do tell Tracey you are my fans).
Tracey - noone ever gets over the scars of what has been the a persons worst nightmare but one thing what they show is the guts you have to put up with it. Depression is only and excuse and trust me we all go through it ( Even I do! )- but everytime you know you are begining to feel low just think logically - the clock cannot be turned back and we just have to carry on with what we have left. There is nothing more in life that can be thrown at you as you have endured what most people would not last a day.
The mere thing that you have a lovely voice and can stand up and sing in front of an audience is not a small achievement and I am sure it was your dedcication and your true friends who egged you on to do something that you really loved. Yes, priorities change but most are for the better. Look at the positives that you have got out of the cancer and you will find so many. We often look back with nostalgia as to the kind of life we used to lead and what has it turned into. I used to miserable as I have lived such a full life that there are very few things I have not done and the ones I have not done were not worth doing. To suddenly have that cut short, not being able to have a drink or a smoke was bad enough but imagine seven years without eating or drinking and having the same old stuff everyday pumped into my stomach. I used to really feel it when the family was going to a eating joint and I would refrain - but now I know that I cannot be a part of it and so I have just accepted the situation and can sit with everyone while dining without feeling bad.
Even with all the trauma that has hurt you - you are still able to communicate and sing. Life is destiny and one cannot change things( a lot of people disagree)- so just live a full life and just let life take you through some wonderful moments and thoughts that would never have passed your way had everything been ok.

So cheer up and you really cannot imagine where you have landed up here. Every person is family and care for each other. We all have been though a lot and can understand each others pain and am sure there will be everyone here who will want to chat with you, make you get over what you feel and get back to living a full life. Just remember - You got friends and most often then not friends are more important then family.

Keep writing and take care and lots of love and a hug,
Ananth

Hi Pamela
I havent posted lately as hav e been going through a rather traumatic time with my throat, I have been having R/T for the last 5 and a half weeks and have 2 more weeks to mgo , and aside from the exoected throat dryness and soarness i can still talk but you do dry uo a lot during the treatment.
I am sure that the return of your voice will occur and you will prbobably get a nice husky voice to go with it, The em[nd result is probably more inportant that you will end uo with the ability yo go on living and enjoying your own family and friends. keep us posted as everyone on this site has an interesting result to their individual SAGAs
Stay Strong,
TREV