CancerCompass message board discussion started by Michael12 on 12/29/2005 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,3857,0.htm Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Help! My mind is on information overload. The most stressful thing for me is all the varying opinions. The first issue is choice of facility. I was diagnosed On December 19 with squemous cell carcinoma where the right tonsil (although removed as a kid) meets the base of my tonque as the primary site and it also was in a collar bone node. There are also some other small questionable nodes in my neck. My surgeon is at Sylvestor in Miami which is about an hour from me. They have an affiliated radiation center at Lyn Regional Cancer center in Boca. My surgeon heads the Center and reccomends only radiation and does feel the adverse effects of chemo are offset by a meaningful increase in the cure rate. Nor does he feel more surgery will be needed unless the radiaion doesn't zap the remaining questionable nodes. Life style considerations are very important to me. I am 61 and have a 14 year old at home. Many of my friends are saying do the radiation and second opinions in New York. We have appointments with Dr Erskind, Harrison and Culline at Beth Israel. Their names keep popping up. However, on a very preliminary basis before seeing my records, he says they usually follow a protocol of radiation, chemo, radiation pellets and then surgery. This scares the hell out of me. I am also trying to get into Sloan Kettering however that may delay treatment. It has also been recommended that I be geno typed if I have Chemo. Some metionned a mouth guard for the radiation. What exactly is that. I am seeing a cancer dentist on Saturday for the impressions for the flouride trays but I am not sure how to describe the mouth guards. Also I am quite active lifting weights, play tennis, tai chi, martial arts etc. Once I start radiation will I be able to do any of these things to keep in shape? Since I am already at my goal weight, should I have a stomach feeding tube put in? I can't afford to lose much weight. I am also pre diabetic which has been controlled by diet alone but really limits what I can eat or drink. My mind is mush and would appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, experience with the facilities or doctors or any thing else that can get me refocused. I leave on Tuesday to go to New York but I don't know how much I will accomplish. Any input on any of these places or issues would be greatly appreciated. My preference would be to stay home in Florida for my treatment. That is where my support system is and everyone seems to be telling me that is as important if not more important than anything else unless there is a material difference in the facility. I have minimal support in New York City. These decesions or should I say indecesions are ripping me a part and are extremely negative influences on me. I don't know what to do anymore and I am scared that delay will hurt me. God Bless. Mickey Michael12 Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT