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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for August 2011

Monday, Monday
I just got the call. Cooking (oops! radiation) begins Monday. A little bit lower than last time, hopefully not so many problems with the mouth but who knows with the throat. I will have the Amifostone as long as I can handle it (4 weeks last time). Prayers and well wishes are appreciated.
Try again - Vacation
Last time we went on a cruise I got a butt kicking case of pneumonia (aspirated food - again - into lungs). Well Carnival is leaving Mobile Al in October so we figured we'd better take this last cruise before they depart. Then we are off to Fla for grandson's birthday and hopefully I get to meet Skiffen and see who can…
When does it get better
Steve is 4 months post treatment from tonsil cancer, he is still sleeping alot and he says he still does not feel good. I know it takes some longer and some less time to feel better, but does anyone remember when you did start feeling the new nomal and was able to enjoy life again. Linda
Court Case ruling..What do you think* Xrated*
I thought I would share with you a HIGH PROFILE civil case that was tried here locally. Verdict was received today. This is a cancer story, not head and neck. (well maybe) A gentleman has surgery by an urologist to be circumcised. When the doctor started the procedure he discovered that the patient had cancer and removed…
tongue pain
I thought yall might have sone insight as to when my tongue would quit burning? i am 13 weeks past treatment and anything i eat still burns my tongue. I tried to eat eggs this morning and they burnt. I dont know if its the texture (which feels like sand) or the burns on my tongue that are just still sensitive. I really…
Just updating....
Hi Everybody...I'm just updating my status so some of the "old timers" will know what I've been up to lately. As most of you "oldies" may remember I was treated for NSCLC in left lung and Laryngeal cancer in 2009. Everything went into remission and I've been able to enjoy life...until February 2011 when the CT scan showed…
Very Special Day Today
This has nothing to do with C but something I would like to share will all my friend. Today is my 37th anniversary, my wife and I got hooked on each other back in 1974 and they said it would not last, little did they know. The last 9 years have been very trying for both of us in dealing with my C but if it has done…
Speed dating has nothing on my Oncologist
My first visit after radiation commencement actually into my second week lasted 3min 37 sec I know because i use a dicta phone so I can transcribe and keep an actuate record of what i am told and have to do. I have learnt nearly all I am to expect from here and reading all my literature. I am feeling a tad peeved . oh PS…
Caphosol
Hi everyone, My husband is using Caphosol and it works great, however, it is very expensive. I've seen where folks have been lucky enough to come across someone that had some products leftover/couldn't use and passed it on to another patient. Is there a place here in CSN where I could check for something like this? Best…
Another feeding tube
Well I finally agreed to my wife and doctors advise and I am going to have a feeding tube put in again. I have been out of treatment for 6 months and have not been able to gain weight. Started this whole mess nearly two years ago at 290 and now 141. I really hope I can gain some weight and get some muscle mass back as well…
encouragement
Hi everyone, My mom was diagnosed with cancer in July - squamous cell carcinoma. The cancer was on the back of her tongue, spread a little to the floor of her mouth, and to some of the lymph nodes on her neck. She was a heavy smoker, but she quit about 4 years ago. Her getting cancer has been a fear of mine since I was…
Diamox
I have been on Diamox for about 5 or 6 months, it was to help with the excess water build up on the brain, now that I am off of it everything taste like salt. For a while I was thinking my wife is just using too much salt in everything. But now even my bottled water tastes salty, the Diamox made all my food taste different…
Has anyone heard from Jeepman?
I was just wondering if anyone has heard from Jeepman? I have not seen him post in awhile.
What if caregiver gets cancer? update 8/25
Went to doctor for CT result yesterday, just couldn't wait over a week. CT clear but since I found the lump on my tongue refered to ENT ASAP. See ENT this afternoon. Please pray it is something else other than cancer. Debbie OK, I have not posted this question sooner because I know you all will tell me that it aint cancer…
Biologic therapy vs, chemotherapy
My husband has Tonsil Cancer that has travelled to two lymph nodes (no where else so far). The oncologist wants him to take erbitux along with his radiation instead of the chemotherapy. Can anyone give me their experiences and / or thoughts?
Maybe that'll end it
Forum Spam, whould've thunk. best, Hal
Bad couth need help
Along with my other problems like dry mouth and can’t swallow Since Radiation I have a couth it is worse in the morning but I have through the day bad again late afternoon I couth up flame like you do with a chest cold sometimes I don’t have control over it I couth and it goes in the floor or on me has anyone had this…
Pet Scan Results
Doctor just called said no sign of cancer in tonsil, node, or whole body area. But Steve did have a spot on his right face show up the first time he had a pet scan, so they rad it to. ENT & Chemo doc think this is a false reading, no this pet scan has lite up a small area again. Doctor said it could be inflamation, or…
waiting is the hardest
Here I set waiting for Steves pet scan results, we called and she said they are typing them up and will have the results this afternoon. Steve is taking a nap and here I set with a million things running through my mind. Why can't I stop being scared, I hate this feeling, I know his out look is good, the doctors can't even…
smells
I know everyone is different, but has anyone continued to have an aversion to cooking smells? Jim has gotten sick from food smells from day one so I have had to eat fast food or take out for the last two months. If you had this problem, how long before it went away? I am craving home cooking and the expense is putting a…
saliva
My husband had about 70% of his tongue removed,and 36 lymopnodes. He then had 33 rounds of radiation. I was wondering if anyone could tell me aprox. how long it takes for the saliva glands to start working. Thank you.
hypopharyngeal cancer and post-treatment neck pain
Is there anyone on this board who had hypopharyngeal cancer and then had back-of-neck pain after successful treatment? Jim's treatment was radiation and chemotherapy, no surgery, no neck dissection and was completed a year ago. He has had two nerve blocks to treat the pain from nerve damage directly behind and what seems…
eating again
For the last three days Steve has been eating with me, he has cleaned his plate, and even asked for seconds on my salad. God is good, I feel I can breathe a little better each day. I try to keep up the brave front for him, but after watching my first husband pass on from cancer, the old fright returns. Steve is not just my…
Thyroid Math...seems to leave me still sleepy and cold.
Well here are the numbers... Test Result Reference* TSH 2.29 .49-4.67 Normal Total T4 7.1 4.7-11.7 Normal Free T3 2.16 1.45-3.48 Normal (lower end) Free T4 .9 .7-2.2 Normal (lower end) *I realize that reference numbers may vary between labs. My numbers suggest that all is well...or wellish, however I remain FREEZING.. even…
Hope this helps...Part 2
LLLT has been evaluated for the treatment and prevention of mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation and/or chemotherapy, demonstrating potential promise for reducing severity and incidence of oral mucositis in this group of patients. The laser is directed at affected areas of the mouth and…
Hope this helps some HNC patients...Part 1
Laser Therapy Reduces Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis caused by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy among patients with head and neck cancer. These results were presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American…
How far out were you when were you able to eat regular food again?
My husband completed chemo (taxol & carboplatin, 9 times, once a week) last week. Yay! He has 9 more rads (of 34) and he's finished! What a happy day that will be! :) He has lived on 3 high calorie, high protein shakes a day & has been able to keep the weight on without a peg. He is wanting to eat regular food so bad. When…
Neck dissection pain
My husband had a radical neck dissection 15 months ago. He is cancer free and we are so thankful. He has been fighting head and neck cancer for 5 years. What I am wondering is, does the pain ever go away. We have asked numerous Doctors, Neurologist, Surgeons etc and never have gotten a straight answer. I have seen on the…
Chef daddy Mike Son Up-date 8-23-11
Mike called a short while ago to up-date me on his Sons condition. They were able to do the bone marrow test and it showed that the leukemia is no long in there, but his Liver has stopped working. If you remember I posted about his heart running supper fast, well that was because of the liver not working, his heart just…
Still kickin'...just not as high
Thank you all for your posts. Sorry I have not posted earlier, but have been feeling a bit numb. The good news is that no disease was found in the neck. Even the hot spot they were watching is no longer visible. Hooray! Unfortunately, there is a questionable site in my right lung. I will be going to Mt Sinai for a needle…

Head and Neck Cancer

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