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Has anyone gone through the 30gy DART therapy, what is recovery like?

Posted by jagsromp @jagsromp, Jan 21 8:36am

I was diagnosed with HPV tonsil cancer SCC. Did TORS surgery with neck dissection. All margins clear but tumor had PNI-peri neural involvement. They are recommending DART 30gy chemo/ radiation treatment. Has anyone gone through DART 30gy. 2 week treatment? What is recovery like? Swallowing, pain, salivary issues, losing taste buds etc, very nervous trying to make decisions to do therapy or not….

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rebgen | @rebgen | May 16 4:10pm
In reply to @cara5 "@rebgen My husband begins his radiation/chemo 8 weeks post op as initially he wasn't going to..." + (show)
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@rebgen My husband begins his radiation/chemo 8 weeks post op as initially he wasn't going to do the radiation and when he did make the decision to do it, this was when there was availability. So far, he has been provided with his anti nausea/vomiting medications Dexamethason(taken the day before, day of and day after his baby dose of chemo) and also Ondansetron, Olanzapine and Prochlorper, on an as needed basis.(So many!) Did you need these as well? We will need to get clarification on how to discern when and which ones to take. He has not been given any of his pain medications yet, but I remember the nurse discussing the lidocaine mouthwash and pain meds, so it was helpful to hear what you were given for your treatment. And finally, congratulations on those positive test results and your son's wedding! It's wonderful that you will be able to attend especially while feeling back to your 'old self' again!

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@cara5 Yes...both the steroid and anti-nausea meds were on my menu. Good luck with the chemo "light" regimen. I reacted to both infusions immediately and the staff was terrific in managing the situation each time...Benadryl is a good thing!

I don't want to plant any unnecessary things to worry about but please do not hesitate to say something to your radiation team if your husband has any issues with the mask. I am not claustrophobic and I can tolerate (not enjoy) being in a CT/PET scan tube if I close my eyes and visualize. The custom mask that your husband will have made for him will 100% immobilize his head/chest. Since I was only 3 1/2 weeks post-op, I was struggling to breath easily laying flat and had a slight cough which is tough when your head cannot move a millimeter. I ended up managing the anxiety with an Ativan 30min prior to each treatment. My wife kinda took perverse pleasure in watching me navigate the waiting room while I was "relaxed." She nicknamed me Captain Ativan after I held court in the Charlton waiting room and having some laughs with the staff.

Your staff will have you all set up with your pain med regimen during the second week of treatment. You will have everything you need for success when you go home. LMK if I can be helpful anytime. PM or even a phone call if you need.

A good sense of humor and a positive attitude went a looong way getting me through the tough stuff.

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