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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for April 2013

Bitter melon
I just read in the ST Louis Post Dispatch that a researcher there received a grant(albeit it small, about 40,000) to research the effect of a natural herb called Bitter Melon on Head/Neck cancers. Wondering if anyone has heard of this before. Try googling it for information. I thought some of you out there might be…
now what?
My husband’s treatment was over 14 days ago and I think he is feeling much better and even started his job just part time. He started to drink liquid and little bit solid food and beside not opening wide open mouth and few mouth shores he is not complaining about anything. Today we had his ENT doctor appointment and ENT…
Depression, survivors guilt
I have always struggled with depression, and have had some sucsess with medications, however, being diagnosed with cancer in Aug of 2012, has really kicked this in to high gear, and with all of the financial struggles, being constantly sick, weak, loss of work, and many other worries, I find myself mentally exausted, and…
Question About Scans After Treatment
I have ten more rad treatments and 2 more chemo treatments left to go. As far as I know anyway. ( NPC, T-3,TN-2,M0) ( treatment plan was 35 rads 12 chemo) I talked with my rad Doctor this morning and asked him if he would be doing a scan after my last treatment to see how things worked out. He said that the first scan…
My angel David
My David truly is an angel. He was pronounced dead at 2:24 am EST. he fought a glorious battle and touched many lives in the process. I am so thankful that God spared his mind at the end and he got to say all of his good byes. I will miss him, but he has helped me in so many ways. Just as each of you has helped me. God…
Can't seem to get this treatment started.
My husband had surgery, got his RO and MO all aligned, finally has his treatment date, got fitted for the mask (second time, once before surgery) and now the RO wants him to have another PET because she saw something on the pre-radiation CT scan. Talk about scanxiety! I think it's gonna have to be a double dose of the…
Slightly OT, but have you noticed
I was watching TV tonight and over a period of about 2 hours I saw at least four commercials for cancer treatment. Is it just me being oblivious or has the competition for cancer patients gotten kicked into high gear. I haven't gotten a firm handle on what my treatment has cost (bunch of EOB's not in yet) but I'm pretty…
Needles tomorrow
Ready for a pocket, just like everyone else on the board tonight, I can't think of much else other than David and Vivian. Tonight I am suppose to be clearing my desk for the next day and a half -- I am off. Absolutely no concentration on business. Tomorrow is the needle biopsy on my thyroid, and I abhor needles -- although…
Ok, not too bad but I still can't eat
Had a pretty good exam today from my ENT. My Onc wanted me to see him after my NED CT. The problem was he only has office visits one 1/2 days a week, the rest of the time he is doing surgery (mostly Davinci)So it took me almost a month to get in. Anyway he was really pleased after he scoped me. He told me that everything…
The good, the bad, and the ugly
The Good The Bad and The Ugly The Good I have a good friend Pat, we call him “Moon” going through tonsil cancer and today he completed 15 of 35 radiation treatments with absolutely no side effects. That’s right folks no sore throat or nasty mouth sores. I could hardly believe it The Bad He also completed his first Chemo…
Thyroid cancer
Well my husband had first post treatment CT scan. ENT surgeon saw suspicious thyroid nodule. Had a biopsy last week and doc just called . Here we go again...it's thyroid cancer and he needs surgery. Discouraged to say the least. I know he will be ok it's just a huge let down. Joan
One Year Anniversary
Hi All, Even though the testing never really ends for Head & Neck cancer it is good for the soul to celebrate small milestones every once in awhile. We have all been through so much with this nasty disease. If not for this site, good doctors, and medicine available for our comfort, who knows where we'd be. Looking at the…
Probably David's last day
David has been running a fever 104, which I has not responded to meds. they've tried ice packs and a bath. He is unresponsive fever wise and just to people. The nurse thinks he may have a few hours left.
Tube in ear
I went to the ENT today- couldn't take not hearing anymore. He drained my left ear and installed a tube . I can hear again. Hearing is still not what it was 4 weeks ago but at least I can hear out of my left ear. I told the doctor I joined this foreman and learned a few new words. Lymphodema - I asked if what was under my…
The glass is half empty!
Hi Folks, I'm writing from the chemo lab getting some fluids and anti-nausea meds. I hit the wall on Sunday and the last few days have been the most challenging thus far. The next three weeks will be as much as or more challenging but so far, considering what it could be, I'm doing Ok (translation: this SUCKS but I'm…
Ultrasound after CT - lymph node still enlarged
Hey everybody! My dad had an ultrasound of the neck today. There is still a bit enlarged node in region II in his neck (2 x 1 cm). They did a needle biopsy on that node and took three samples. The doctor was very nice and explained a lot to my mom and dad. She said that it is probably post rad effect and it could be only…
Need advice about social worker
Hi everyone, Thank you so much for the responses about my awful luck. I think I have the truck issue undercontrol. Now here is my next issue. When I went to see my dad yesterday the social worker pounced on me. She told me dad was not improving, had all sorts of issues, there was no way that he could come home and mom and…
George !
Playing with the site a bit. And trying to post a picture of my rescue pet George. So I included him with me. He doesn't hold still as you can see from the picture. He is a 4 yr. old Minpin....and a hand full ! Loves to play, and takes my mind off of lifes bumps. My lung re-check went real well last week. I'll be having…
underwent Thyroid nodules
My husband recently had his first post treatment CT scan and the ENT surgeon called last week and said he saw a small (1cm. ) area on his thyroid and so he needed a biopsy of this. We had the biopsy done but , of course, I am back in worry mode. Trying not to but you know how it is... this cancer thing has really messed…
Concentration issues
I keep trying to get on CSN and read some of the posts and get up to date with others, but I find my mind gets diverted and I am having trouble reading long posts. Its not that you guys aren't important to me, I am just totally full I guess. Nevertheless it makes me feel bad.
Insurance denial
I have BCBS insurance. Not old enough yet for medicare. Even though most of my lower teeth were extracted to remove my jaw (cancer of the mandible) they are denying a claim for implants to replace them. They are even denying a denture. Wondering if anyone has had their medical insurance pay to replace the teeth taken as a…
Treatment update
Well, I started treatment last Wednesday- 1 round of 220mg Cisplatin mixed with Emend, Aloxi and Decadron., followed by a shot of Nuelasta on Thursday and radiation treatments Wed, Thurs, Fri, Mon and today. I felt pretty good Wed through Friday but then the wheels fell off Saturday and I slept most of the day. Some Nausea…
Still on pain meds
First my husbands goes for his ENT scope next week. No scans!!! His doctor has not done anyt type of scans on my husband, except the post PET scan. I have a question for all you warriors.. How long have you beed on pain meds. My husband is going on 2 years. He is 3 months shy, from being 2 years NED. It's just trips me out…
Pockets please
hi. We get our first post tx scan tomorrow. Anxiety is high. Hubby has been having this cramp on left side....like runners cramp and it usually starts when he begins his long drive to work. So, he is worried that will show as something bad on the PET. He is so frustrated by the fatigue! That bothers him the most. His…
Can not take much more
Hey guys, I just needed to talk. This was the worst Easter ever. I was on my way home in my brand new truck I got New Year's Eve and an unlicensed uninsured driver ran a red light an totalaled my beautiful truck. I have pulled muscles in my back, arm and shoulder. I was after dark and raining. I stood in the ran for over…
surgery is behind me and I'm back home
Hi, everyone! Thanks for all your information and advice after I was first diagnosed. Last Friday I received trans-oral robotic surgery at the Mayo Clinic. They removed lymph nodes on both sides of my neck, did biopsies of the tongue, tonsils and adenoids, and removed my right tonsil and part of my left all for the purpose…
Mask Anxiety and Panic
Yesterdays mask fitting did not go well. Rob said it was like he was choking and they thought it might be because his tonsils are still swollen from the biiopsies last Thursday. Last night he had a bit of a panic attack just thinking about it. Pretty sure the realization of every thing is hitting him at once. We will go…
Drum Roll!!!
Finally, a somewhat positive post! Fourth attempt at first chemo was successful. Slight two hour delay as lab nurse thought port was infected, so we saw the surgeon. He said all was okay. He was given saline, Benadryl, Zofran, & Pepcid. Next came the long Erbitux infusion, followed by Taxol. Big trouble with the Benadryl.…
So not to get Relgious but...
Alright going up on soap box again So I spent the last 5 weeks watching The Bible on the History Channel, being Catholic there were some things I don't agree happened the way they showed it, but all in all Obama Satan look alike controversy aside. The very detail flogging, beating of our Savior as he tried to walk wealend…
Classifying Scanxiety
I was thinking this morning that there are different stages of Scanxiety. First, there's When-Is-My-Next-Scanxiety, when you're not sure what the next step is. Next, there's Waiting-For-My-Scanxiety, when the appointment is scheduled and you start to experience phantom symptoms while waiting. Then you experience…

Head and Neck Cancer

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