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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for December 2009

Results of Platlet Test
Hi Everyone: Hope y'all had a Merry Christmas. My husband Charlie got the results of his test on platlets. Seems they are coated with some sort of protein and doc says not to worry and that it's very possible they've been like this all his life! If they drop down in the sixties again, he would give him something to take…
GLUTAMINE POWDER FOR SORE MOUTHS
HI to all, I though I would post this as we get so many questions about what to do for 'Sore Mouth' and 'Mouth Burning' and 'Mouth Ulcers' etc all related to our treatments with Radiation and Chemotherapy. Very early in my treatment (70 hits of IMRT and Erbitux) I was put on Glutamine Powder (an essential Amino Acid) to…
More PET News
Hi all, just got home from my appt. with the surgeon. He had a copy of my PET report and the scans. On the phone, the Oncologist had said that they looked "normal". The report actually showed some uptake at the old cancer site on the base of my tongue and in the tonsil on that side. Surgeon was a little irritated I think…
Spicy Foods, etc.
Hello Everyone, My husband had stage IV tonsil cancer on the right side. He is 12 weeks out of treatment and doing awesome. We have our first PET on Thursday. My question is, he can't eat anything with pepper, mustard, ketchup as it just burns the inside of his mouth. Mostly around his lips. Can anyone tell me how long…
newly diagnosed and scared
I've been diagnosed with NPC and just had the PET/CT scan today so I've not been staged yet. The only symptom I had was a swollen lymph gland which I first noticed in March '09 and told my PCP Dr about it. He gave me a course of antibiotics (contra indicated by at least one study I found - I've photocopied the paper for…
did any one use the fentanyl patch for pain
my mouth sores are so bad the doctor rad and chemo doctor agreed to put me on the fentanyl patch for pain? it is a very high drug and i am thinking about this but nothing else is helping the mouth sore pain.. what are your thoughts on this. thanks diane w from wisconsin also email is rlwcpa@execpc.com
looking for lymphedema therapist Chicago area?
Hi everyone. Posting on the outside chance that someone in the Chicagoland area has used a lymphedema massage therapist in the greater chicagoland area with good results and could provide a recommendation. I got a script from the oncoman for it but my hospital dosen't have one. Perhaps someone knows a hospital that does or…
Black Hairy Tongue
Went to the dentist for my usual 6 month checkup and my hygenist (the person who discovered my swollen lymoh node 6 months ago) said that I have "hairy black tongue". (Dark colored bacteria growing on the surface of my tongue) She said it was not uncommon for someone suffering with dry mouth from radiation treatment and…
Thank you, You all amaze me!
Thanks again for all your advice and comments, I can't believe how this blog has calmed me down and reassured me that I can and will get through this ok. It's all because of your knowledge and caring attitudes on here that is helping me and others through. Sash you are so right when you say they are the experts, but I…
mouth sores
My tongue on both sides has sores that hurt so much they look like white canker sores, the ones that hurt the most are the ones on the left side of my mouth where my molar tooth rubs against it.. i have been told they are from the radiaiton not from chemo (erbitux) tomorrow will be my 20th radidation and 6th chemo then…
adenod cystic carcinoma of parotid
I have been fighting cancer since 2005. I have gone through 3 surgeries, 3 different rounds of radiation, 14 weeks each and 5 days of Cyber Knife. I can't have anymore radiation, so now I am on a Study drug, which I have been on since March of 09. The Dr's say my test show I am stable. My cancer started in the Parotid…
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma, Small Cell Type (Sinus)
I was originally diagnosed with Esthesioneuroblastoma on 12/15 but now find it was misdiagnosed and I actually have Neuroendocrine Carcinoma, Small Cell Type. I have been told it is even more rare than Esthesio. Has anybody had any experience in this? I am again looking for answers!
Blog of the journey
I have created a blog for those just starting out or getting ready to start on radiation treatment for head/neck cancer. I started the site to keep family and friends informed but also to educate others as to what the procedure is like etc. More for information for others with this same disease than me personally. There…
Radiation therapy
I'm new to this today. My husband has base tounge cancer. Its stage two and he's in his second week of radiation. He's doing well and only now starting to need softer foods. He refused a feeding tube. He's 42 and healthy otherwise so the doctor agreed to no feeding tube. If he loses more then 20 lbs though he has to have…
Update
First I would like to say how happy I am to hear that Mikes (landranger25) Petscan came back normal. That really gave me a boost. Mike you have a great compfort to here. Christmas was great felt good and had whole family over and with the twins truly a christmas to remember. Well thought thursday was my last rad. #33 but…
Coughing and dry throat
Has this happened to anyone else. It has been exactly 8 weeks since I have finished treatment, my feeding tube is out, and I am eating fairly well. I am slowly gaining weight. I have always (since after treatment)have lots of phlem and a very dry cough through the middle of the night. It seemed to have lessened, to the…
sore throat when dry
any one experiense dry throat pain on swallowing Im 4 weeks bast 34 rad treatments it is a sharp pain when I eat or drink it appears ok
Diagnosed last Monday (Squamous Cell -throat cancer)
Hi, I'm very new at this. I had a lymph node removed a week ago and when the results of the biopsy came back the ENT surgeon said it really surprised him and his colleague, as they were sure it was Hodgkin's lymphoma, but it turned out to be Squamous Cell and throat cancer with an unknown primary. I'm to undergo a Pet scan…
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
Merry Christmas Everyone and Blessings on you all as you celebrate Christmas or whatever your religion observes at this time of year. There have been many struggles and many rewards for everyone on our website. My prayer and wish for you all is that this special time of the year is meaningful to you no matter what stage of…
Laryngeal Cancer
Long story short… My father was diagnosing with laryngeal cancer stage 4 (Aug 3) He had 2 options either to have Chemo/Radiation which the doctor couldn’t guarantee the cancer will be gone, or surgery. The surgery was a major one. It took 16 hr. He had a complete Larygectomy and bilateral neck dissection of the neck. He’s…
Had a swallow test..what to expect now
Hi All, My husband finished radiation and chemo on November 10, 2009. He has been unable to eat or drink anything since 10/10/2009. He had a swallow test done today and the results were that when he swallows it is heading down his windpipe. The therapist recommended 2 swallowing exercises and on 1/5/2010 he will have…
PET "Normal"
Hi all, just an update to what I have found out so far regarding my PET scan of last week. Don't see the Oncologist until 1/15 so wasn't really keen on waiting that long to find out. I called his office this morning to inquire and although they don't normally give test results over the phone he agreed that waiting over the…
Post Treatment Fatigue
Hello Everyone, I hope that this message finds everyone doing well with treatment and recovery. I am 7-8 weeks out of radiation and chemo. I had my peg tube out a few weeks ago. I was really feeling quite good. So good, that I worked (2) days on a stone masonry project with my crew last week. I am from the Boston area and…
Just Updating
Again...can't thank everyone enough for the advise, support and prayers. Past few days have all been the same. Sleep 2 hours...get up pee...do my mouth rinsing...go back to sleep. LOL pain is about a 5 but constant. Gets annoying but just think about how bad it could be if not for everyone on here. I think of every…
OK come clean guys
This is to all the male cancer survivors on this list. Have you even played the cancer card with your wife when she needed your help even when you were really feeling better? Kevin is a little more than 10 weeks post treatment. He is finding more and more energy every week as he recovers. Energy especially for things he…
Radiation damage
It's six years since hubby was first diagnosed with Cancer of the Larynx (cleared last year)and now he's been told he has progressive bulbar palsy/ A.L.S. The E.N.T. doc. said he had radiation damage and then referred him to a neuro who dx P.B.P./A.L.S. Anyone heard of radiation causing this or similar disease?
weight
Am 17 days past end of 34 rad treatments having a problem maintaining weight appitite not good and no taste effects this also any advise I donot have a feeding tube any advice I have lost 50 lbs
Platlet Counts
Hi All: My husband Charlie, saw his oncologist on Thursday - good report; sees no evidence of cancer. Praise the Lord! He's seeing both the rad onc. and reg. onc. every three months now. His blood work was great except his platelets are at 65,000. They've flucuated between 108,00 to now 65,000 from June to now. But in…
Vals tonsil Cancer (update)
Hello all I would like to thank everyone who has helped me with advice for this cancer. I had my appointment the other day with my ENT. He brought all the info from my biopsies,MRI, and quadroscopy together to discuss what comes next.. Yep the appointment started with " We are going to have to make you very, very sick to…
Esthesioneuroblastoma
Just diagnosed two days ago and in a state of shock. Looking for any info to help make informed treatment decisions.

Head and Neck Cancer

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