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One down 32 to go
First rad tx done, 32 to go. The folks and Cancer Ctr are all so nice. I,m gonna ask for strength for all of us. Luke
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Recurring cellulitis
I'd posted just after Thanksgiving that I'd developed swelling in my neck (selective dissection 10/16) that after a black Friday spent in the ER, turned out to be cellulitis. I was prescribed a 10 day course of Keflex (500 mg) and being diligent with my meds, completed the entire course and my neck was back to normal a…
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What did you do with your mask?
First off, congrats to Nelson for graduating from RC (Radiotheraphy College), with his diploma (mask) proudly displayed in his photo. His post sparked some comments from others about their own mask and what they did with it after their graduation. So, maybe there's enough for a new thread. As I left RC for the last time I…
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2012 has been one heck of a year
I haven't been posting as much lately because life has come back with a vengeance. It's funny how everything seems to go into slow motion after the cancer diagnosis... or at least it did for me. It took a while to reconnect with life, and just when I thought I was back in the swing of things, my job went kind of sideways.…
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Dad starts radiation tomorrow
Hello New Family, Well, tomorrow marks the 1st of 33 rads for Dad. Hmmmm..."Rads for Dad"--sounds like a rock group. (I see I still have my sense of humor!) Anyway, last week was weird...the mask fitting, sights, sounds, smells...all came back in memory of 20 years ago when my husband was being treated. Different, but…
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I feel so different
I love coming to this site because people are truly my friends, but lately I have felt out of place. Yes David has head and neck cancer, but the plasma cell leukemia is ruling our lives right now. The doctor came in today with a new chemo regimine for after Christmas and it doesn't include Cisplatin any more so none of the…
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Sore mouth
Hi everyone, I just found this site, and wish I had found it earlier! I finished my chemo and 35 RAD at the end of October for BOT with one node removed. . Now I am recovering from the side effects of the treatment. Has anyone had a problem with sores on the side of the tongue ? I assume it is a burn from the radiation? It…
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base of tongue/node Rad & thyroid?
With radiation on the back of tongue and one the lyphnode has anyone had any damage to their thyroid gland? I just was worrying about it. thanks for any feedback Sue
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY UPDATE
I stopped by a local SS office Friday, and found out the following facts. My diagnosis will qualify my for the "compassionate clause" basically meaning I will qualify for benefits. I have to be either out of work or making less than $1,000.00 / month before I can apply for disability. presently I qualify for $2,315.00 /…
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Radiation Ending Soon
How long will I feel bad after radiation ends (finishing 35 treatments). Can only get down a few cans of Ensure a day and some milk and a little pudding. Was wondering how soon after treatment ends before things start improving. And how fast?
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My mama
Hello everyone. My name is Steve Herrera my mama was just diagnosed squamous cell cancer. It started off as a nasal infection and low and behold they found squamous cell. We found out that the tumor is about the size of a baseball :( and it is pressing up against her optic nerve causing double vision. She is nauseous, and…
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Desperate for Help- Pain
I am desperate to find some assistance for my Mum, who was diagnosed with Tonsil Cancer (Stage 4a I think) in September 2011 and is continuing to experience significant pain and disability as a result. Mum had a neck dissection with her left tonsil as well as nodes in her neck and shoulder removed. She had 35 treatments of…
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Katenorwood / Katie - your name is on my mirror the next few days!!!!
Katie.... Your name is on my mirror for the next few days as of today! Each morning and each night I will whisper an "extra" prayer when I see your name. It's not that I need it in front of me to remember, I just want to make sure you know I am in the trench with you and I am fighting along side of you.... You are cared…
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I'm weak and I must confess
Friday night, I went out with 3 girlfriends, small bar, everyone knows each other, band~~anyway, all my friends are smokers, and I caved and had some smokes....now, I'm craving and I need to get over it..just needed to tell my friends on here, as I'm sure you'll understand
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Recovery going well
Hello Friends....I haven't posted for a while as my issues seem insignificant compared to some of the others here, but wanted everyone to know I am doing OK with recovery, get my first pet scan in a couple months, and do my 6 week post treatment with my ENT next week, I hope he addresses my esophageal stricture, eating…
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Gratitude
Another great week for Nelson's recovery. His first post treatment CT scan officially showed no remaining cancer! He can now say he HAD cancer! He is in the survivor club! He is eating well, driving again and working on getting his energy back. If he continues to maintain his weight without using his feeding tube, it comes…
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Bad breath symptom?
I searched looking for folks having bad breath symptom and surprisingly did not find much at all. How many of you have experienced this condition? ENT says it happens due to the cancer in the throat and not much to do until treatments start. I have tried everything and nothing seems to work. Don
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does the ACS really get the HPV threat?
I wonder. Recently, Maria Blair (National Vice President of the American Cancer Society) wrote a passionate, well-meaning plea to create a cervical cancer-free world for women and girls. That's terrific, as far as it goes. Creating a Cervical Cancer-Free World for Women and Girls Unfortunately, nowhere in her article does…
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Scans..What ,When and Where? ..AKA if I could remember anything it would be nice..
Sometime ago, someone posted a great chart/table* about scan follow up based on initial staging or something or other... What I am trying to figure out is this: What type of scans Pet, Cat, MRI? When Every 6 months? Where Full Body, just neck? My doctor only wants to do yearly CAT on my head and neck only. In ALL other…
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Chemo Brain
How long does it last? And is is usual for it to get worse the farther from treatment? I'm sure everyone is different but some generalities? Hubby has not had chemo (cisplatin ) since June 19 and been off pain meds (diladid and fentyl patch) since early October. Sort term memory's getting worse. He can't remember anything.…
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Cancer in Pharynx
Hi All, The last few days have been crazy, after my father was diagnosed with Pharyngeal cancer. We are yet to do further checks to identify the stage, spread etc. I am sure everyone here knows how it feels like to receive this news first. By the time we do further checks, I would like to know if anyone here has…
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He's not such a bad guy after all.....
This really has not much to do with H&N cancer but it's good news and I must share. My husband is a police officer for the city that we live in. We are a beach city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. There are 4 little beach cities here in the south bay so most of the police officers from all those different beach…
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Doc said I'd just be "uncomfortable" for a day or two.
He lied. Damn feeding tube hurts like hell. Joe
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caring bridge page for David
I have added a caringbridge page for David. If visiting it is under davidgabbard all lower case one word. Thanks.
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chemo precautions?
Me again....I was wondering if anyone who has had cisplatin can answer this. Do you have to be careful with germs/sick kids around someone who is undergoing cisplatin? I assume yes because of the beating the white blood cells take. And of course I ask because my son seems to be coming down with something and my husband is…
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some people come out of the woodwork and others disappear?
I just have to find out if it's just me or what. I have really close friends....the kind that want to share every detail of the day with you, who have all but dropped me altogether since finding out that my husband has cancer. And then there are people who I know and frankly just acquaintences who have all but offered a…
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On our way
Well 3 rads down 32 to go. 1 of 7 chemo starts tomorrow. Rad not too bad. the first day was the worst. they had trouble adjusting Jeff's mask to fit right and line up. 2nd day a little better. Today it was quick he was in there only 12 min. The tongue stick to hold it down really bothers him but he says the mask is not to…
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Hi! First post - Just got cancer diagnosis
Hi all, I stumbled upon this board and it seems very legit and active so here I am. Obviously, ppl don't just stumble upon and join a cancer subject board unless they or someone they know have cancer. Last week I saw an ENT who said I had hypopharangeal cancer; however, he referred me to a head/neck cancer specialist…
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Getting outside
I finally left the hospital for a few hours today. I am sitting at home just trying to chill out and find some peace. I love David with all my heart, but 19 days straight in the hospital is making me a little stir crazy. Not to mention how much pain my neck and shoulder is in. We talked with the social worker today and she…
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Sore ear
For the last week my left ear and cheek area have been bothering me, I tried to research ear pain but not a lot of luck. I do remember Longtime Survivor commenting on some post that they to were worried if it could be the tumor coming back and he said it was likely the radiation I guess I will know soon enough I get my PET…