Vocal Cord Cancer T3M0N0 newly diagnosed
I am 48 years old and suffered a hoarse voice for about 3 weeks so I quit smoking on Jan 1 2012 then want to general doctor on Jan 3 who sent to me to ENT who said looks like i had early stage cancer, next a biopsy confirmed cancer stage T2 refered me to Radiologist.who said could be treated with Radiation only, I got a second opinion from highly regarded HNC Surgeon at RUSH Chicago he was concerced about lack of vocal cord movement updated diagnosis to t3m0n0of right vocal and on false cord, so this means chemo as well as increased number of rad sessions I start treatment plan in 4 days consisting of 39 rad sessions with 3 cycles of Cysplatin So glad to find this forum Thanks to all of you for sharing such postive thoughts during this difficult and scary time.
Regards
Comments
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Welcome...
Similar to you in some ways, as many others are as well.
Was never a smoker, but STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer and a lymphnode HPV+. Nine weeks of chemo (Cisplatin, Taxotere, and 5FU) three week cycles. Then seven weeks of concurrent weekly Carboplatin and 35 daily rads sessions....
It's tough, but very doable...each of us have our own experiences as everyone is different. But we also share a lot as for temporary or some long term residual effects.
Again, welcome to the forum...
Here's a link to our SuperThread...tons of great information we've compiled for newbies and occasional reference;
SUPERTHREAD
Best,
John0 -
Thanks John, I was browsingSkiffin16 said:Welcome...
Similar to you in some ways, as many others are as well.
Was never a smoker, but STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer and a lymphnode HPV+. Nine weeks of chemo (Cisplatin, Taxotere, and 5FU) three week cycles. Then seven weeks of concurrent weekly Carboplatin and 35 daily rads sessions....
It's tough, but very doable...each of us have our own experiences as everyone is different. But we also share a lot as for temporary or some long term residual effects.
Again, welcome to the forum...
Here's a link to our SuperThread...tons of great information we've compiled for newbies and occasional reference;
SUPERTHREAD
Best,
John
Thanks John, I was browsing through superthread already, ramping up for the fight0 -
good luck
positive vibrations stay with you. it´s not easy to have a diagnosis, but keep calm. I´m also trying to.
eat healthy foods, avoid meat and have green tea.
0 -
We are neighbors
If you went to Rush. Did you consult with Guy Petrocelli? He is highly regarded at Rush. You are in good hands there. Equally good are The University of Chicago, North Western, and Loyola. All are highly regarded with variations on their philosophy toward treatment. Your treatment regime is exactly what I went through, 39 rads and three cycles of cisplatin every 21 days. I also chose to have a neck dissection post treatment. Loyola has a head and neck group that meets once a month on Wednesday evenings and The University of Chicago has one on Tuesday afternoons. PM me with any local questions about treatment. Best regards on you treatment plan. I'm coming up on 3 years post.
Dx BOT T1N2bMX July 2009, 39 Rads, cisplatin x3 every 21 days, selective L neck dissection0 -
Second Opinionratface said:We are neighbors
If you went to Rush. Did you consult with Guy Petrocelli? He is highly regarded at Rush. You are in good hands there. Equally good are The University of Chicago, North Western, and Loyola. All are highly regarded with variations on their philosophy toward treatment. Your treatment regime is exactly what I went through, 39 rads and three cycles of cisplatin every 21 days. I also chose to have a neck dissection post treatment. Loyola has a head and neck group that meets once a month on Wednesday evenings and The University of Chicago has one on Tuesday afternoons. PM me with any local questions about treatment. Best regards on you treatment plan. I'm coming up on 3 years post.
Dx BOT T1N2bMX July 2009, 39 Rads, cisplatin x3 every 21 days, selective L neck dissection
I actually got my second opinion from Guy Petrozelli, he upgraded me from t2 to t3 which was really upsetting to me at first since it changes the regimen to now include chemo, I am being treated at Hinsdale hospital part of Adventist, Thanks for the info on support groups0 -
PMA
sounds like your in good hands and with an early diagnosis you on the way to continued survivorship. by the way i believe they day you are told you have cancer is the day your a survivor. i did 38 rad sessions along with 5fu and Cysplatin together. my chemo's were given 24 hours per day 5 days in a row in the hospital on the first fourth and seventh weeks of rad treatments. that was back in the old days 1996. they have learned less chemo and now have thomotherapy for radiation that reduces the side effects. i am betting you will have thomotherapy at RUSH but would be good to ask. i know for certain Loyola has the equipment.
there are so many now that have survived the cancer along with the hell that goes with the treatments. if we here can do it we know for certain you can make it happen with having and maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude, Believing all will be fine and it will be, Maintaining your Faith and finally Never, Never, Never Give Up!
welcome and you have come to the right place for knowledge, experience and support
go now and kick butt
john0 -
We are always overwhelmed at firstvkelly said:Second Opinion
I actually got my second opinion from Guy Petrozelli, he upgraded me from t2 to t3 which was really upsetting to me at first since it changes the regimen to now include chemo, I am being treated at Hinsdale hospital part of Adventist, Thanks for the info on support groups
A suggestion is to NOT focus on these staging numbers. An argument is made that it is great you were upstaged. Your goal is survival. The chemo is added at the point of T3 because it improves your odds of living. If you didn't get the chemo, it would decrease those odds. Focus on getting through the process, one day at a time.
It sounds like you've got a good team, and a good plan. Best wishes to you.
Pat0 -
Chemo...vkelly said:Second Opinion
I actually got my second opinion from Guy Petrozelli, he upgraded me from t2 to t3 which was really upsetting to me at first since it changes the regimen to now include chemo, I am being treated at Hinsdale hospital part of Adventist, Thanks for the info on support groups
In all honesty, the chemo wasn't that bad compared to the rads... I wouldn't sweat it, and like mentioned...it'll improve the odds for survival and killing the cancer in remote locations and/or free floating cells..
Most of the few side effects derived from chemo (at least for myself) were only temporary, hairloss, finger & toe nail loss, taste....
Study the sheets or find the possible side effects of the chemo/meds prescribed for you, and watch for any of those symptoms developing.
One of the more common with Cisplatin is tennitus (ringing ears), another neuropathy (numbing of the fingers, toes, etc...)...
Any of those make sure to let your MD's know right away so they can adjust or address your effects.
Another especially with Ciplatin, stay very, very well hydrated....flushing your system....
Besides de-hydration, kidney damage is always a possibility, the better hydrated, the better you'll do.
Best,
John0 -
You can do it!!!!!
It didn't matter to me what my staging was.....I just knew it was important to the docs to figure out the best treatment plan was for me... The tougest part of treatment was WAITING to start the fight. I had to heal from a tonsillectomy, and also get a PEG tube and port placement, as well as dental work before I could start my treatments.
8 wks of radiation every weekday, plus 3rounds of high dose cisplatin (basically ever three weeks). Chemo was first day. I remember looking up at the bag of chemo, watching the chemicals drip drip drip into my body, and feeling sooooo relieved that the fight had started. Same day, I had radiation. I layed there strapped down by my mask, thanking God for the radiation entering my body....for the skilled and talented people charged with my care, for the technology created to cure me of this disease, and for the cancer leaving my body. This became my mantra, and I said it each and every time I heard the radiation fire off for fifteen minutes, every weekday for 8 weeks.
Fight the fight. Use the tools that are out there to do it. And lean when you need to. YOU CAN DO IT!
Jen0 -
Awesome....Jennfer39 said:You can do it!!!!!
It didn't matter to me what my staging was.....I just knew it was important to the docs to figure out the best treatment plan was for me... The tougest part of treatment was WAITING to start the fight. I had to heal from a tonsillectomy, and also get a PEG tube and port placement, as well as dental work before I could start my treatments.
8 wks of radiation every weekday, plus 3rounds of high dose cisplatin (basically ever three weeks). Chemo was first day. I remember looking up at the bag of chemo, watching the chemicals drip drip drip into my body, and feeling sooooo relieved that the fight had started. Same day, I had radiation. I layed there strapped down by my mask, thanking God for the radiation entering my body....for the skilled and talented people charged with my care, for the technology created to cure me of this disease, and for the cancer leaving my body. This became my mantra, and I said it each and every time I heard the radiation fire off for fifteen minutes, every weekday for 8 weeks.
Fight the fight. Use the tools that are out there to do it. And lean when you need to. YOU CAN DO IT!
Jen
Great view of the situation....you can't help but to be inspired and know you'll win with those words....
JG0 -
Thank You to All that repliedJennfer39 said:You can do it!!!!!
It didn't matter to me what my staging was.....I just knew it was important to the docs to figure out the best treatment plan was for me... The tougest part of treatment was WAITING to start the fight. I had to heal from a tonsillectomy, and also get a PEG tube and port placement, as well as dental work before I could start my treatments.
8 wks of radiation every weekday, plus 3rounds of high dose cisplatin (basically ever three weeks). Chemo was first day. I remember looking up at the bag of chemo, watching the chemicals drip drip drip into my body, and feeling sooooo relieved that the fight had started. Same day, I had radiation. I layed there strapped down by my mask, thanking God for the radiation entering my body....for the skilled and talented people charged with my care, for the technology created to cure me of this disease, and for the cancer leaving my body. This became my mantra, and I said it each and every time I heard the radiation fire off for fifteen minutes, every weekday for 8 weeks.
Fight the fight. Use the tools that are out there to do it. And lean when you need to. YOU CAN DO IT!
Jen
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your words of encouragment and hope for this newbie. I have browsed through this board for the last two days and read many of your stories, as I try and determine exactly what I am up against and what to expect. I must say I am truly inspired, you all have given me a new sense of hope on this the evening prior to treatment.
Best wishes,
Vic0 -
As Roy Scheider said in "All that Jazz,"vkelly said:Thank You to All that replied
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your words of encouragment and hope for this newbie. I have browsed through this board for the last two days and read many of your stories, as I try and determine exactly what I am up against and what to expect. I must say I am truly inspired, you all have given me a new sense of hope on this the evening prior to treatment.
Best wishes,
Vic
It's showtime, folks! Get up every day and just do it. The time will pass, and you'll have the thing under control. Vic, I'm currently on day 17 of radiation. But since I've had 35 days previously, you ccould make the case that I'm now on day 52. This time I got cisplatin/taxere for three cycles, and have been Erbitux for the last 13 weeks. Just take it a day at a time, and keep a positive attitude.
Best to you,
Pat0 -
New with vocal problem
Hi VKelly,
You have truly gotten some great advice from bothers and sisters in the know. Your situation seems similar to what I faced in 1991 and the treaments that have been outlined for you, as well as those described by John, fisrpotpl (1996) and Jennifer 39 ring a bell. The fact that brothers and sisters like myself and others are doing well after better than twenty years is a pretty good sign that simultaneous chem and rads can be very successful. When I had this treatment it was very new and I can only imagine how it has been honed. Like Jennifer 39 I remember the night I began treatment, July 28, 1991, and I couldn't wait for them to "hook" me up and start sending those wonderful warriors into my system to kill off the bad guys!
Remember you have a lot going for you including us. All the best, Josh r.0 -
it started ten days before treatments started, i told my mother on the phone in another state that the chemo came with a bright green color (keep in mind I had no idea what color it was) and i would glow in the dark the rest of my life. i talked to almost every day and said the same glow in the future. feb. 5th, 1996 1:45pm waiting in my hospital room with parents. in the room walks the nurse with the bright green bottle (just had a bright green plastic cover) I used my hands and said come to me, i have waited days for you. I recall this moment like it happened hours ago. Like josh r. said get those warriors into my system and kick butt with no prisoners.josh r. said:New with vocal problem
Hi VKelly,
You have truly gotten some great advice from bothers and sisters in the know. Your situation seems similar to what I faced in 1991 and the treaments that have been outlined for you, as well as those described by John, fisrpotpl (1996) and Jennifer 39 ring a bell. The fact that brothers and sisters like myself and others are doing well after better than twenty years is a pretty good sign that simultaneous chem and rads can be very successful. When I had this treatment it was very new and I can only imagine how it has been honed. Like Jennifer 39 I remember the night I began treatment, July 28, 1991, and I couldn't wait for them to "hook" me up and start sending those wonderful warriors into my system to kill off the bad guys!
Remember you have a lot going for you including us. All the best, Josh r.
had to share one memory
john0 -
how did it go ?fisrpotpe said:it started ten days before treatments started, i told my mother on the phone in another state that the chemo came with a bright green color (keep in mind I had no idea what color it was) and i would glow in the dark the rest of my life. i talked to almost every day and said the same glow in the future. feb. 5th, 1996 1:45pm waiting in my hospital room with parents. in the room walks the nurse with the bright green bottle (just had a bright green plastic cover) I used my hands and said come to me, i have waited days for you. I recall this moment like it happened hours ago. Like josh r. said get those warriors into my system and kick butt with no prisoners.
had to share one memory
john
VKELLY: I hope you sailed through your first few days of treatment !0 -
one day under my beltIngrid K said:how did it go ?
VKELLY: I hope you sailed through your first few days of treatment !
none of the side effects have set in yet well maybe just a little light headed. It was a long day ,rad session at 9:30 that was a breeze the 20-25 minutes with head and arms strapped down (I used imagery and thinking of my kids) went faster than expected,
then on to Chemo Session for 6 hours total ,2 hours saline drip "emend iv" to prevent nausea. also heard nurse mention something about steroid.
one hour to drain the Cisplatin IV followed by two more hours to get
more fluids for Hydration.
read ,napped and surfed (note to self bring snacks and fruit)
I dont know if its psychological or what but I swear to god I am able to speak just a little better and I dont feel that scratch in my throat when I swallow
Warmest Regards,
Vic0 -
You are not imagining thisvkelly said:one day under my belt
none of the side effects have set in yet well maybe just a little light headed. It was a long day ,rad session at 9:30 that was a breeze the 20-25 minutes with head and arms strapped down (I used imagery and thinking of my kids) went faster than expected,
then on to Chemo Session for 6 hours total ,2 hours saline drip "emend iv" to prevent nausea. also heard nurse mention something about steroid.
one hour to drain the Cisplatin IV followed by two more hours to get
more fluids for Hydration.
read ,napped and surfed (note to self bring snacks and fruit)
I dont know if its psychological or what but I swear to god I am able to speak just a little better and I dont feel that scratch in my throat when I swallow
Warmest Regards,
Vic
My cancer recurrance was soft palate. I had a signififcant post nasal drainage and ear pain. My first chemo session was carboplatin and taxotere. Within 24 hours the drainage was completely gone, never to return. The ear pain was gone within 2 days. Medical oncologist said, "that's typical of rapid tumor response to chemo." After 3 sessions I had my follow up PET scan, which showed no tumor at all.
So this response is not in your head. Well, it kind of is in your head, er, neck, er....0 -
Identical diagnosis...vkelly said:one day under my belt
none of the side effects have set in yet well maybe just a little light headed. It was a long day ,rad session at 9:30 that was a breeze the 20-25 minutes with head and arms strapped down (I used imagery and thinking of my kids) went faster than expected,
then on to Chemo Session for 6 hours total ,2 hours saline drip "emend iv" to prevent nausea. also heard nurse mention something about steroid.
one hour to drain the Cisplatin IV followed by two more hours to get
more fluids for Hydration.
read ,napped and surfed (note to self bring snacks and fruit)
I dont know if its psychological or what but I swear to god I am able to speak just a little better and I dont feel that scratch in my throat when I swallow
Warmest Regards,
Vic
Vic, our diagnoses were identical as were the treatment plan. I had 3 sessions of Cisplatin with 35 sessions of radiation. Within a few days of my first treatment my voice was back and almost sounded normal. I had almost completely lost my voice before I started treatment.
I won't say it was a walk in the park but the treatment is definitely doable. March will make 3 years and I have not had any problems since!!
You will do well,
Glenna0
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