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Swallowing and eating after radiation
Hi everyone, My fiance was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in June. He started chemotherapy and radiation treatment in July. We're in our early twenties and this has been a scary journey for both of us. Everyone we have talked to who have gone through this said chemotherapy is the worst but unfortunately that has not…
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Retirement
It has been awhile since I have posted but do view the board every couple of weeks. It has helped over the last 4 years (I finished treatment 4 years ago end of August). I would like to share this good news. Today is my first day of retirement! I was fortunate to have a job where early retirement can happen. My spouse and…
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Question about mouth guards for IMRT and Radiation only Treatment
Hello survivors, I have been quietly screwing around interviewing oncologists and fighting with Cigna and now have a plan of attack. Going for TOMO/IMRT mask (just in time for Halloween) fitting and simulation tomorrow. Read the posts about some kind of mouth guard that can protect the mouth from scatter radiation. Asked…
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Acupuncture for Saliva, Pain and Nausea
Greetings, My husband is now getting acupuncture two days a week to help with pain, nausea, and to improve the chances of the return of saliva production. I'm new to this site so not sure if anyone else has written about this - so far, the treatments have been a bright spot in his day. He has completed 12 of 35 rad…
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Medicaid/Payments/Cancer Coverage Question
I'm trying to figure this out and thought maybe some of you could help me. I was diagnosed this past February with MEC and had applied for Medicaid in January since we already knew there was a tumor there and the doctors "had a strong feeling" it was cancer. I fought and applied and provided paperwork from January to June…
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Swallowing Test
Well yesterday I did the swallowing test again but this time is did show a little improvement. While I still can swallow or eat like a normal person I am able to sip and swallow very small amounts of water. What the test showed is that the back of the tongue is no longer moving to close off the air way into the lungs.…
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Blood clot in urinary bladder
I just got ouf the ER. I was unable to urinate and when really push, only blood came out. Went to hospital and irrigated my bladder for 24 hours. Lots of blood and purple clots came out. Ultrasound showed a large blood clot inside the bladder. They finally cleared it with catheter. I had one round Cisplatin about 2 weeks…
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PET for back tingling and leg/hip pain
We went to the oncologist for a check up today. The oncologist wanted to do a PET to see if Jim's hip and leg pain, and the tingling in his upper arms and back needs rads to keep it from disabling him. Jim however has refused. The oncologist explained that if it goes to far it will be hard to take care of or relieve the…
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Learning to Live In Between Scans
Friends, Just passed the six month mark after treatment and am learning to live during the "in between" time. Continuing to take each day as it comes and be thankful for each gift and blessing that comes my way. Still at times is stressful and need to take time just to get my head around what is going on. Trying not to go…
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long time posting
Hey all... My husband is now 2 years out from treatment and he had a scope the other day.. Still clean!!! I do have a question regarding neuropathy. He has neuropthy in his legs and just a few days ago he started with some new problems. His leg is really hurting now and he has tingling and numbness that just started. He…
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long time posting
Hey all... My husband is now 2 years out from treatment and he had a scope the other day.. Still clean!!! I do have a question regarding neuropathy. He has neuropthy in his legs and just a few days ago he started with some new problems. His leg is really hurting now and he has tingling and numbness that just started. He…
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New to this
Just found out Friday 10/18/2013 my biopsy came back as positive for Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma - I go to the Dr. for th first time on the 22nd - I am afraid, I have been reading the posts on this site, I want to beat this, I am going to continue to write on here about what happens, is that alright, just writing this…
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Hello to my H&N Family!!!!
Hello All. I just wanted to stop by and say hi, let everyone know you are thought of often and to update you on my progress. To date I am doing well. My two year mark is this January. I've lost another 20lbs but I will attribute that to hunting and cutting wood. :) For all the new folks on here, I'm sorry you have to be…
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Inspirational Quote of the day
I just wanted to share today's inspirational quote of the day- I think it is appropriate for this forum: We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.
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Tingley tongue and turned white
I am now over a year out of radition. For the last six months I have episodes of where my tongue wil start tingling , even starts to go numb. It also turns a creamy white. This lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes, then the tingling goes away and my tongue turns back pink. I forget to tell my Doctor about it. Is anyone else…
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Alternatives for what to put into feeding tube vs Jevity 1.5 which makes my husband sick.
Hello...my husband is in week 7 of radiation & chemo for head & neck cancer and the formula (Jevity 1.5) that we put into his feeding tube is making him sick every day! He hates it & we would love any recipe for a high calorie subsitiute that we can purchase of that we can make naturally in a jucier. PLEASE HELP! thank…
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Shortness of breath and labor breathing
I have NPC and the one symptom that make me so tire and weak is the breathing issue. It seems my breathing is shallow and not filling of the lungs. Sometimes this will cause me to breathe through the mouth as well which cause me mouth dryness and a dry throat. I have lost alot of weight and very thin now. Is it the cancer…
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Clinical Trial Update
Here is a picture of my chemo pills. wicked cool huh? They are actually pretty big and I have to keep them cold. I take 4 a day. Ya’ know compared to my last chemo pills, every time I took them I felt like I was poisoning myself. With these I feel like I’m kicking some cancer butt! So I’m on day 9 of my clinical trial. I…
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Thanks to everyone.
I've been lurking on this site for more than a year now. So I feel it's time to give back. Around July of 2012 I was dx with SCC primary in the right tonsil, spreading to both sides of my neck. It was determined that since I was HPV positive and had some extra weight to my frame, that I could handle an aggressive…
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Did anyone have a really strong 'metallic' taste only 7 days in to radiation???
Hi again everyone...I don't mean to be the squeeky wheel on the forum, BUT you all are a World of knowledge, and I continually learn good tips and tricks from you all!!! For the past day or two, Pat has been nauseaus, complaining of a very strong 'metallic' taste constantly leaching into his mouth. His salivary glands are…
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dont know
Hello I just discovered this site today,,and so far it has been the most helpful and uplifting so far,, Its actually not me that has cancer My wife was receiving treatment for a toe (bone) infection through strong antibiotics twice a day intravenously at home (pic line) she began to complain of a sore throat about 7-8…
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Monday should be interesting!
Monday, 10/21, is my 4 month cancer free date. It's also my next big dental appointment where I get my crown, final fitting (and hopefully get to keep) my partial, and schedule my cavities to be filled. Then the dental work is over...hopefullly by the end of 2013 :) Basically...I may have my TEETH Monday! I'm so excited!!…
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Mouth dryness at night with teeth pain
I'm into the second week of radiation treatment for my NPC. I notice my breathing that air exhaled out of my nose with some escaping through the mouth. This cause the mouth to be open at night to allow the air to escape. I noticed this cause my whole mouth and tongue to be dry. Had to wake up and drink water to wet. But…
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Should I do radiation?
Hello and thank you all for sharing your experiences. 20 years ago I had chemo & radiation for Hodgkins lymphoma. Had limited mantle radiation up to and including my neck. Last year I was diagnosed with SCC of tonsils and had bilateral modified neck dissection levels 1-5 ( cut ear to ear). Permanent side effects include…
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8 more rads
Just a wee update on my rads. taking all your advice I am now feeling a lot better. I have 8 rads to go. I didn't,t think in the beginning I,d ever get to single figures. I have one tomorrow then a weekend break then five days next week and two days the following week. The docs at hospital have pulled out all the stops for…
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tongue ang throat cancer
im finishing uo my radiation next week finished my chemo last week caqn anyone tell me where it goes from here? ii was diagnosed with squamish cell melinoma of the tounge and throat.
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Needing Prayers, Pockets, & Good Vibes
My friends, Just wanted to give you an update on my daughter, Johnnybegood(Colon Forum). She had her long awaited CT & the results were as we feared. Since being off chemo for 2 mo. to promote healing of her Hand & Foot Syndorme, her largest lung mets have all grown. So she will be restarting the dreaded Irinotecan. It is…
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It's about time
H&N members, caregivers, pop-ins & Lurkers, For the past 13 days (and more if you count scanxiety) I waited through exam and CT scan to await the “all is clear” otherwise known to my friends as NED. So I am happy to say at 18 months, 24 days and a couple of hours (post) I am NED! I am forever grateful to all who have…
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Mouth sores / Thrush
Hi All: I found out that my mom has a yeast infection in her mouth and is taking antibiotics. Is this the same thing as Thrush? I know that someone had asked if she had this in the original mouth sores thread. Does this make the mouth sores worse or more difficult to heal? This could be why nothing has been working for…
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A little update on my pops
Hey everyone! I've been thinking of you all and wondering how everyone is doing. Unfortunately I've been soooo busy so I wanted to check in and see how everything is going and give you all an update (I know that was a run-on lol). As some of you know, Dad finished treatment the day before his bday on July 25th. He had…