CancerCompass message board discussion started by partridge on 7/28/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,14799,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I've had surgery for parotid cancer and they removed the cancer and I am not showing any more anywhere in my body.  I have been given the choice to receive radiation or not.  I am not sure what my choice should be.  If any others have been in this position I would love to know what you decided and the results of that decision.  I know there are a lot of side effects to this treatement. partridge Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi,  I had sub mandibular mucoepidermoid salivary cancer.  I was told at the time that if it had been parotid and low grade like it was, that I would not need radiation.  Since mine was sub-mandibular, then I did have to have radiation.  Had 33 treatments.  Taste buds are returning pretty well. (finished tx in mid June)  some dry mouth which appears to be improving but will probably always be there to some degree.  My thyroid got fried in the process and now am on thyroid... which I can live with.  My eustacian tubes also got burned a bit, and they do not drain my ears as well as pre-radiation... but everything is getting progressively better.  So basically, it wasn't that bad.  I guess one of the deciding factors would be what stage you were at and type.  It is still a hard decision though.  Good luck kim50 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT I had surgery in June to remove two tumors of the parotid gland and was told they were benign at first and then my surgeon discovered that they were low margin, slow growing and cancerous. I finished 7 weeks of radiation therapy three weeks ago and was told at the time that I am cancer free. However, despite the fact I am elated over this truly great news I am experiencing terrible side effects (sore throat, dry mouth, no saliva) and worst of all , a loss of taste. I am losing a lot of weight and find it hard to eat anything solid or even drink the suggested milkshakes. And I am someone who loved to eat and cook. I read your email and was given some hope although. I was told by my radiation oncologist and the nurses at the cancer center that my taste may not come back ...for quite some time...if ever. Could you tell me about how your taste came back, when it came back and did you take any zinc sulfate to help it come back? Any information would be so appreciated. I am beginning to be very depressed and scared. Thank you. hayfields Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hello!  My husband had the same surgery in late August.  We were told initially that it was benign, but once they opened him up to remove the "lump" it was decided to be malignant!  Our lives changed!  We went to Dana Farber fafter the surgery for a 2nd opinion and were told it was a high grade, aggressive, squamous cell cancer of the parotid gland!  Even though this type of cancer does not respond to chemo, it was their opinion that he needed both radiation & chemo.  The chemo would help to rid any cancer cells that might have escaped into his body.  Perhaps because yours was a low grade, the chemo was not needed. He has completed both the radiation & chemo.  The worst of the side effects was it destroyed his ability to taste.  He lost 30 pounds!  It has been 3 weeks.  He still does not have any taste.  He is taking 130mg of zinc in hopes of speeding up the return of taste.  We were told this might help.  He is now thinking it is beginning to return, though not alot---just an inkling. We hope for more every day!   Have you tried the Boast Plus drinks?  They are a high calorie drink and are very good.  These have gotten my husband through the last two months.  He has also gone to GNC and found a high calorie protein drink--Mass XXX---with 900 calories per drink!  He has gained 1 & 1/2 pounds this week.  The doctor was concerned with the amount of protein in the drink, as it will have some bad effects on his kidneys, so he has cut them in half, for now.  Hang in there!  Things will get better!Jean  NHquilta Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Jean - thank you so very very much for responding to my email with your personal email,. I am sending your husband good wishes and positive thoughts, I was told by my ocologist nurse to take 220 mg of zinc sulfate 3 x a day! That that was the requirement  - it seems like a lot but I did some surfing on the web and found that that is the dosage. Maybe your husband wants to up his? Cancer is a terrible thing for the whole family. I use to cook supper every night for my husband who drives from our farm in northwestern NJ into Manhattan to his office every day! Now I have no desire, esp, no taste, to cook any meal. But he is my rock and we will get through this nightmare of sorts. hayfields Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT