CancerCompass message board discussion started by Memah on 9/14/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,16176,0.htm Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ father, 88, stage IV base of tongue cancer, lymph node involvement both sides of neck My father is completing seven weeks of radiation, M-F, with weekly chemo of Erbitux.  He started out having seven weeks, which should end today, plus three makeup days (Labor Day, and two days in the hospital).  However, he is now scheduled to have one additional week, as he told me on Wednesday that he has 8 more treatments.  That would take him to a week from Monday.Why do you think a week would have been added?  Any ideas?Also, he is so encouraged, saying, "I think the cancer is gone" because his two oncologists examined his throat visually and said they could not see anything.  This, of course, is different from what his throat looked like before treatment started.  I am afraid he might have his hopes up prematurely, as he has not yet had any scans.  But I am not doing anything to dash those hopes.Anyway, I am interested in what he might expect once his treatment ends.  How long will it be until he has a PET scan or somesuch to determine the effects of treatment?  How will he feel?He has had a PEG tube since before treatment?  Will he continue to need it?  Will he feel better?  Worse?He has had minimal, but bothersome, side effects.  His voice is raspy, he has been quite tired, his mouth is dry, he has no saliva.  These were all expected.Also, I would like to ask this question.  His abrasive personality has become much moreso.  Do you think this has anything to do with the cancer?Thank you for your time.Maggie Memah Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT