I used to take Safeguard like you do. But I try to take it 7 days a week nowadays (when I remember to). With the tumor in my trachea. No, I didn't have a feeding tube. I dad no soreness in my throat or mouth at all. The treatments would make me a little bit weak. But not bad. I wish I could remember the type of radiation I had that time. I don't believe it was IMRT like the kind they did on my lungs because there were a lot more treatments and the tumor in my trachea was larger. But like the IMRT it was a pin-point treatment, all computer controlled, and based off a program that's built from a CT scan. It takes a couple of weeks for the technicians to build that program. Before a treatment the machine always takes a quick CT scan of the area to be treated. That way they can see the exact area to treat because the tumor is changing a little everyday as it shrinks. The machine also lines up every time to 2 little pin-point tattoos they put on my chest and side. The technician would lay that days CT scan over the original CT the computer program was built from and when my radiology oncologist approved the treatment, it would start. In all, everything took about 10-15 minutes a day. I never felt a thing. Those treatments were 5 days a week. I believe I had 33 in all. One thing I've come believe from what I've experienced and from what others have told me is that not all cancer facilities have the same treatment to offer and sometimes it might not be the most modern and up to date treatment you might find elsewhere. If you have any more questions, just ask. I'm definitely no expert but I've been through a few things. I know how personal the decisions you have to make are. One thing to keep in mind, if you think at all you need a second opinion, get one!
