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Erbitux
Let's just say my reaction to erbitux has been "enthusiastic." After my loading dose, I had a modest rash. After two doses life was getting uncomfortable. After three doses, my face is literally peeling off. How anyone could say this rash looks like acne is a mystery to me. I look like I've been under the heat lamp for…
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Anyone have head/neck radiation on HALF only?
My husband's doc may be recommending radiation on only one side of his head/neck. He has had a neck dissection, tonsillectomy and parotidectomy on one side, and now radiation is being recommended on that side only. I hope that means half the bad side effects. Comments, anyone??
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mouth dryness
Andy is 5 months out from radiation and lots of things are better in regard to radiation side effects. Lately though, he has really been suffering with terribly dry mouth during the night and upon awakening. We have a humidifier by his bed, he has Biotene spray by his bed, he's on Salogen, and of course, has water next to…
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Teeth
Finally, I have my full set of false teeth in my mouth. had the remainder of them surgically removed a few weeks ago. Had to complete my second round of HBO, Oral surgeon that removed the teeth said the gums had healed well. Aspen Dental docs fitted the teeth and now it's all go. Feels really strange though having my mouth…
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hello people any Divers
here. Did you have any trouble returning. Did you fill in your medical truthfully the truth now I will be able to tell LOL I am nt telling my body the onco said because they could not put a PEG in I will be fighting weight loss and low energy for the next 12 months. I am not telling my body because this is where I plan to…
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Is this normal? 2 parts
Wondering what you think about this... 1. I'm 11 rads in and now the left back side of my tongue is sore which makes sense because the bulk of the IMRT is focused on my L lymph and tonsil area. However, I woke up this morning and it feels like something is in my throat every time I swallow. It feels lower down my throat.…
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1st PET post treatment
We go tomorrow to dr to find out what the PET scan showed. Now I suddenly realize, I expect they'll tell us cancer/no cancer, but I really don't know what else to even think, what type of questions I could/should ask, etc. Any suggestions, info would be appreciated. I LOVE THIS SITE and ALL THE HELP!!
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Sleeping all the time
I have a question for those of you who have used the pain patch. Did you sleep a lot? Dad is on his 7th patch and all he wants to do is sleep. The oncologist said it would make him sleepy, but I worry that he is sleeping to much. His tumor has already responed to the chemo and the doctor says it feels much smaller. But, it…
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PET coming, Jim depressed
Jim's follow up PET is set for Monday, Nov. 7 and he is very depressed. Monday morning he said he had a bad feeling about the results. This worries me because I do too. The lump under his tongue which is about the size of a large pea is worrying me. Could the cancer have gotten that big in such short time? It looks like…
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Dentist appointment
Just had my teeth cleaned 3 months post neck dissection. Good report but I didn't get anything out of the treasure box. Well, I guess I did, new toothbrush and more Biotene. My backround with the dentist, as a child had horrible experiences, as an adult, I had my kids visit first and if all went well then I would go. I…
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Checking In
Hi all: Haven't posted in awhile but have kept up with everybody! Been on the road a bit. My sister came down last Wed. and we went to see our 93 year old aunt in Albany, GA then over to our brother's in Thomasville and had a nice visit with him and his wife and got to see my niece and one of her little ones the one was…
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Recovery - Base of Tongue, Right Tonsil
My husband is now in recovery for Base of Tongue, Right Tonsil cancer (HPV positive) not a smoker or drinker. He had his last treatment on August 29th (7 weeks external beam radiation, with 3 chemotherapy treatments of cisplatin). It has been 8 weeks out of treatment, and he is slowly improving. The treatments were not a…
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if it returns
Thank all of you who replied to my personal thoughts of "should I find out or would it be better not knowing" Your replies answered, and again thank you for your personal thoughts. What would we all do without this great network of friends.
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Day 1 - Phase 2
Well the day has finally arrived, I will be having my first radiation treatment tonight @ 7:30, the machine of choice is a rapidArc, supposedly takes less time , 10 mins from start, getting me positioned, mask on, to finish. I told my sister and neice to time from the moment I walk in the door to the moment I walk out. Had…
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erectile dysfunction drugs and head and neck cancer
I googled the ed drug in regard to head and neck cancer and found this VERY interesting so wanted to share the link! I know the study at Johns Hopkins started in 2009 but it does not look like it is ongoing and I can't find any results. They do have current trials with cialis and multiple myeloma so there must be some…
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Any suggestions to help me get through this? Encouraging words?
It's the calm before the storm. I've done 9 rads out of 35. My next Cisplatin is next Wed, hopefully no hiccups this time, will be on Zantac and Lorgactyl on top of the usual anti-nausea cocktail the first 3 days. I'm losing my taste and trying to eat is a chore, but I do it, and I'm drinking supplements in between and…
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if the cancer doesn't kill you , my job will
is there anyone out there with this? My family ,my wife is my support she is fantastic. I found out last week my employer walmart is trminating me because i have cancer and can't go back for full duty, i was released for light duty but thats not good enough for them. I will loose my insurance for my wife and myyself , they…
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WATER ?????
Is there anything better than water to try to get food down the water seems thin and washes away any lubrication I have in my mouth I don’t need any thing with acid in it last week I tired ½ Ruben sandwich with tomato soup as long as I took small bites cut with fork I could get it down with the soup the last two days it…
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My newspaper article
One year ago today found me not at my desk at the Ashland Times-Gazette but in another universe; in a Linear Accelerator receiving the first of my 35 radiation treatments. I was battling Stage 4 tongue cancer. After a summer of not feeling well, I was diagnosed by my local ENT who advised me to have treatment at the Ohio…