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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for January 2013

PICC Frustration and anyone have this issue?
On Tuesday morning Dan had his double lumen PICC line inserted. On Tuesday night for 16 hours his first TPN ran over night, Tuesday morning, it flushes, it's put away until 4:30, when it doesn't work. It was blocked. On Wednesday night, we try to flush the first line again, no luck. We run the 16 hr TPN in the second line…
One road ends, another begins
Well folks, tomorrow (Friday 2/1) I wlll have had my last Rad. I had a meeting with my ONC today and he predicted that the next two weeks will be the worst of the journey but slowly, after that I should see some easing of symtoms. This last week has been pretty rough starting with the Thrush, then a significant ramp up in…
Dad is in hospital...parotid gland infection???
Hello All, Monday was supposed to be treatment 24/33 getting Dad into single digits (a smile to Phrannie here ;-) ), but tx was canceled due to what looked to be an infection on the right cheek below ear area. Rx from rad-onc MD was for tetracycline. Well, rx couldn't be filled since it is not available anymore per FDA…
Titanium Plate after mandibulectomy
Hello, I have a titanium plate in my lower jaw due to an inadvertent fracture of my jaw during the removal of the tumor/mandibulectomy. My tumor margins and subsequent lymph nodes removed were clear, so thankfully, I did not need radiation. Is there anyone out there who can share with me how the plate has affected them? I…
Titanium Plate after mandibulectomy
Hello, I have a titanium plate in my lower jaw due to an inadvertent fracture of my jaw during the removal of the tumor My tumor margins and subsequent lymph nodes removed were clear, so thankfully, I did not need radiation. Is there anyone out there who can share with me how the plate has affected them? I know I am very…
Esthesioneuroblastoma
Hi my name is Sarah and i recently saw a post for someone looking for help about information on survivors of Esthesioneuroblastoma. I have all the info you need ;) ! According to Dr. Lin at mass eye and ear in Boston I am the longest living survivor where I received the Proton beam radiation to head and brain. I was…
Off for a re-check....brrrrr !
Hello everyone, Off to see the H/N onc this a.m. and it's -1 with a -35 degree wind chill. I don't remember as a child ever hearing about wind chills. Back in the day in Minnesota cold was cold. Should be a good visit....as on the phone I was told NED. But I still have my handy dandy list of questions. Have a wonderful day…
On to the next phase
We are about to go to Jeff's 35th and last radation . Now it's on too healing. Mouth real sore (on fire) Magic mouthwash has really helped. Thank you all for suggesting it. It really puts the fire out. He tried a bite of a milky way the other day and it caused a 5 alarm to erupt, but MM put it out. Neck and face raw and…
A little worried
I am a tad worried about David. He didn't eat much yesterday and asked me not to hook him up to his feeds this morning. Not that I have never seehe in queasy before, but he is acting very tired and said he feels strange. I miss the days when I could just write this off to a stomach bug. I try not to excessively worry, but…
Something off subject of H&N
Just a share if I may. I am heating our home with wood heat this year (trying to keep electric down). So I cut about 5 cords of wood and purchased 1 cord at the beginning of the season. Thought that might do it...well, beginnig of January I was gettin low and purchased another cord of wood...burned through that pretty darn…
Stomach capacity
Hi folks, hope you are all doing as well as you can be and to exceed your wildest dreams. One quick question: how many 8fl oz. of boost can I insert into my feeding tube at one sitting, can the stomach take 2 or only one? Didn't want to find out the hard way. Thank you in advance Michael.
Hanging On
Just a quick note to let everyone know I'm still hanging on. I have all the side effects of chemo: nausea, GERD, insomnia, constipation, and on and on. I have a few good moments now and then but a lot of poor times in between. I am also having some eye problems (Iritis), a painful swelling I get from time to time. I can't…
Our New Journey
Thank you so much for the kind words and thoughts from you all. I call this "Our" New Journey, because my dear wife and life's mate of 40+ years is making it with me. Being a retired military family, we were fortunate enough to travel the world, we were able to see things and visit places that most people only get to read…
Good News!
Well Dan got his central line put in this morning, and the nurse will be here in an hour to teach me how to administer TPN! Nutrition is on the way! while we were waiting this morning in the IR unit, Dan asked for a bottle of water. I gave it to him and he drank. Normally! Not the painstaking baby sips where it takes him a…
Reoccurrence and residual disease
I apologize in advance for my following rant, I am just in a bad mood this morning; I am not trying to scare anyone. I hesitated a lot if I should post this or not, but the urge to vent is too great. I recognize myself that some of my comments are controversial. That’s a fear I am facing, reoccurrence and residual disease.…
Can anyone please explain
how you can have a recurrence when there was no spread of the cancer. My husband was first diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in July 2010. He underwent 35 radiation and 3 chemo treatments for a large tumor with no spread. Then in February 2011 we found out it was back, but according to the specialist we saw, it never went…
From My Blog I started today...............
After reading all afternoon I realize I am on a journey of undetermined endourance. I have had sinus problems all my life. Get a couple three sinus infections a year like clock work. Three or four years ago I had a small benigh polyp removed. Two years ago I started to have nose bleeds. Nothing unusual as I have always…
Our New Journey
I am new to this forum...at least as a contributer. I have been reading since I was first diagnosed last November. I thought I was ready for this, I've had all the scans, appointments, and discussions of side effects. I had my rehearsal run this afternoon, tomorrow starts the rads then Thursday starts the chemo. I thought…
Please, Send Prayers Or Good Vibes
My daughter, Johnnybegood on the Colon Board, saw her surgeon today. Her patelets refuse to rise enough to allow her to resume Avastin and all other options have been tried, so she will be having a spleen removal this week or next . Her lung tumors have multiplied from 6 to 38, so no lung surgery is possible. Her only hope…
New and Scared
Hi all my name is Dennis and I found out that I had throat cancer on the 2nd of jan 2013. Since then I have had surgery to remove my Right tonsil at the VA Hospital in Houston. If any one could give me a Idea of hat the Chemo treatment will be like please let me know. The oncology doctor I saw said he was going to do…
Another that guy moment
So today we started the weekly chemo. I thought we were going to do one day a week 3 weeks on one off, but it looks like we have four weeks in a row. Anyway we received a phone call from the pharmacy on Saturday evening that we had a prescription ready. We thought it was dexamethasone since we knew we were getting a script…
Swollen salivary gland stopping rad tx for a few days
Hi All, Dad has 10 rad tx left and we'd already been told there would probably be another break in treatment and it came today. His right jaw line from his ear downwards is painful (last night a 10/10--he cried himself to sleep) with an eggsized knot. Dr. thinks it's salivary gland infection and is treating with…
Deadly Week
Hello All, I have been very ill and unable to post an update. Approx. Jan. 17, I came down with a stomach virus which put me under the table from severe diarrhea and flu like symptoms. Couldn't eat, but tried to stay hydrated. Tried to stay away from hubby also, but on Jan. 20, he started having trouble breathing. Morning…
Starting TPF induction
Well gang, My number is finally being called so Monday morning I begin the induction chemo series. Couple things different is the MO is going to start cycle one with 25% reduction to better ease the side effects and then allow for a 4th cycle if needed to get the full dosage. Other thing different than most is the 5-FU…
Remember Silver Fox?
She could really use your prayers/intentions/thoughts/hopes/well wishes. She's facing ANOTHER surgery after docs found cancer AGAIN. Dunno how many this is - remember, she's a lary who has had issues with her stoma for some time. She's on FB as Roxanne Jacobs.
Question on low magnesium
Hey there ! I have had low magnesium since my resect back in "11. The nurses freaked during my last surgery because I guess it bottomed out. Anybody out there know what causes this ? I did a web search.....but nothing made much sense. When I ask about this as I did in the hospital.....they say oh don't worry we've got it…
B 12 injections
Hi guys ( and gals ) I have to go back to work soon, five months after Rad, I wonder will b12 shots will help? for energy
PEG removal
Hi Everyone, We are going on 9 weeks post and doing well. Liquids, soft foods and still doing the Ensure, Boost, and 2.0 for calorie consumption. Kreg's visit with ENT on Jan 3 was a hand and scope check and the tumor of the tongue and lymnodes were not felt. First PET scan after tx will be end of Feb. This Thursday he…
Giving recognition
A short while ago I was reading a news board online and came across a book that peaked my interest, it was called "Knockout" by Suzanne Somers. This book included interviews with many doctors regarding cancer including one I was particularly interested in: Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski who "pioneered the development and use of…
Bleeding
I am wondering if anyone has experienced bleeding sores in the mouth from radiation? What to do about it, if anything?

Head and Neck Cancer

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