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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for November 2013

Been meaning to ask
what is. A PET scan, you all have them after treatment but I,m not sure what they area
New to site feeling helpless
Hi everyone, I am new to the site. Feeling a little lost and helpless. Here's my story. About a month ago my husband, who is 51, non smoker and non drinker, went to our PC Dr. with swollen lymph nodes in the left side of his neck. He was put on antibiotics for two weeks. After no change in two weeks our PC Dr. scheduled a…
Just got the PEG
Just got home from getting the PEG, not too sore at all, but got light headed and sweaty, sat down , got cold compress and water, got better, wife drove home, sipped water, tried apple juice a little, seemed to upset my stomach, got home laying around, nasty pain but went away, took some tylenol though the soreness is not…
1st check
had first checkup today. camera up nose and down throat. the surgeon said everything has been successful and I was clear of the cancer I had. I now have to go only once a month for a while then yearly. My lack of being able to swallow was because I still have swelling in my throat but I did manage to swallow a little…
Anniversary time ! A bit off the subject but relevant !
Hello Everyone ! Today Rolie and I celebrate our silver anniversary ! 25 yrs together ! It's been a exciting and sometimes bumpy ride. I also am celebrating 2 yrs. of being dx'd with adenoid cystic carcinoma. And still fighting the good fight. For the past two yrs. it's been a wild ride of what if's and waiting for the…
Mom is gone
I wanted to let all of my friends know that my mom passed away on Sunday morning. She is now with my father and they are together like the always wanted to be. It was very peaceful and she was never in any pain. I am still in shock to have lost both of them is a 6 month period. Thank you so much for your love, support and…
Gag reflex
The tissue in the back of my throat is starting to swell from the treatments and it seems to invoke my gag reflex just from talking sometimes. Anyone else deal with this? Do you get used to it? God Bless, Jamie
Starting third week of treatment
Hi Everyone, Tomorrow I enter my third week of treatment. I am doing ok so far. I am feeling the throat swelling and drying out now (along with the beginnings of that weird kind of hurt). My problem has been losing weight because they haven't really gotten on top of the nausea (it's getting better though). Apparently, I'm…
Only 7 TOMO/IGRT radiation treatments and sides of tongue red and burning today, help!
Was not expecting this reaction so soon. I have seen photos of mucositis and now am afraid I am headed in that direction. Both sides of my tongue are sore and have lots of small red spots on them and I have only had 7 treatments out of 33. This is not good. I had asked the R/O RN 2 weeks ago to see about getting me some…
Crappie Day
Thought that I'd share a little bit of my Crappie Fishing Day....; ~J
update with ron
Ron is doing good. He is back to work full time, was extremely exhausted at first but seems to be adjusted to it now. He has lost 50 pounds, (I have gained 15) hearing is back to normal. taste is almost back, says sweet is wicked sweet now. still gets dry mouth and uses a lot of fluid to eat. had a regular ct scan and…
Feeding tube care
I had the feeding tube inserted exactly a week ago. Yesterday, I notice a little redness with some yellowish pus around the tube where it comes out of the stomach. I have been cleaning the area with alcohol wipes and finish with dapping hydrogen peroxide every hour or so. I have no fever. Is that normal for early on…
Hearing change
I have had 26 radiation treatment. For the past week, I've noticed a change in my hearing, more specifically the left ear. The hearing is normal when I bend my neck forward (90 degrees) but the sounds becomes muffled or lessend when the head is raised up straight. It feels like the fluid in the ear shifts when I change my…
Update
Folks, I haven't posted much lately but I do lurk around the site often to see how everyone is doing and thought it's probably time for a quick update. This week I had my 9 month scan. My MedOnc is of the belief that for the first year he wants to see scans every 3 months. After my next one in February we will move on to…
New and my story so far
Hi! I've been to this message board many times in the last 5 months. Thank you for posting your experiences and advice to let us know we're not alone. Over a year ago I started losing my voice and was being treated for allergies and GERD. Finally in June 2013 I had a day where I couldn't breath. Long story short, a biopsy…
Skin burn at neck
After 25 bouts of radiations to the neck area, my entire neck is red with skin peeling off. Very sensitive and itchy. No pus or watery discharge though. I've been using fresh aloe vera and neosporin to the open skin which is pink. Does anyone have any suggestion in managing the burned skin?
Pumakitty Mom up-date
Just got a text from Kathy the hospice nurse said they did not think her mom will make it passed this week-end. Please keep them all in prayer. God bless everyone Tim
Salt & Soda Solution for Secretions
I came across the "recipe" I was given for salt and soda solution to help control secretions. Thought it may be helpful to share. :) Into 1 quart water add: 1/2 teaspoon table salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Shake or stir solution. Store at room temperature. Use every 1-3 hours - especially after eating, taking oral…
Stroke as probability due to radiation to the neck?
Does anyone has information regarding to the assocation of radiation treatment to the neck which may cause stroke down the road due to the damage of the blood vessels?
Tooth decay post tx
I saw an oral surgeon this week who mentioned info new to me. Thought I would share and also other input. Dental decay post treatment is mentioned here so it is real and important we do what we can to minimize these issues. My impression to date is tooth decay, not jawbone issues, are caused by radiation treatment. He…
First CAT Scan -- NEGATIVE :)
Best news ever, NED! While my husband has had scopes since finishing tx in June, this was his first scan. We feel like we can now enjoy our daughters wedding (the end of this month) the Holidays... And Life in general. What a roller coaster this has been over this past year. I know we will continue on this journey- but it…
Visiting Forum after long absence
My treatment (2 Cisplatin and 33 radiation) for stage 4 throat cancer ended in dec 2010. I am 3 years out and doing marginally well. Cancelled my 3 year CAT scan but still visit the Dr. to deal with the damage the treatment did to my kidneys and parathyroid. Just wondering how many out there lost sweet taste. Most other…
Check up
just a quickie update then I,ll leave my worries behind me. onc dentist yesterday....mouth Ok next appt Jan. Clinic today and the speech therapist got me swallowing thickened water. apparently thicker liquid is easier to drink than pure water. my tongue had tightened with the scar tissue and didn,t push the thin water…
Skin cancer
Not me. Hubby just got the call this morning. Basal cell. I had looked into Moh's surgery in 2010 thinking mine was skin cancer. Local yokle wanted to send us up the road, a doctor goes to Modesto once a month. No, I say, call Stanford or CSI (California Skin Institute) in bay area. He has an appointment on the 19th. I…
CSN survey??
I recently got an email from a Greta Greer asking if I would like to fill out a survey concerning this site. Yesterday I received the survey, but I am kinda leary about being re-directed to some other address. Anyone else receive this email??
Thank you to the members of Cancer Survivors Network
Hello all. I was browsing through the message boards here and I wanted to thank you all for the support you have provided to Jesse(spazactaz) through his battle with cancer over the past year. Unfortunately Jesse passed away on November 7. It was nice to see the supportive and encouraging comments from the members of this…
Do You Believe In Miracles?
Not sure what has happened, but I am going to think of it as a miracle, perpetuated by all of you & JBG's faith in a higher being. I just spoke with her & she sounded like a different person. Her pain is gone, no more bleeding, cramps, diarrhea, nausea. She said "the most wonderful doctor in the world"(her surgeon) had…
Food for Feeding tube?
Hello, I had a feeding tube put in over the weekend and have two more weeks of treatment left. The doctor only suggested I used the gravity drip prescribed nutrient formula for me. I asked about other options such as Ensure or blended juices for the feeding tube. The doctor does not want me to pump anything in the tube…
pallaitive care becoming euthanasia
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/euthanasia/eu0010.html My husband experienced this, food and water withheld for days until I signed for hospice and got him home. Be educated on this please, I was not.
Johnnybegood Still In Hospital
After 7 days, docs still don't have a clue what is wrong with her. Each test is inconclusive or not able to be completed. FINALLY, tomorrow her surgeon is supposed to come to the hospital. When I spoke with her today, she sounded very weak, tired, in pain, & in tears. I told her I was coming, but she asked me to wait until…

Head and Neck Cancer

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