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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for June 2016

MuGuard
Finally got the package. I can now see why MDA does not push this product. It's been a hassle to get things sorted out for the last two weeks, and it wasn't on on my doctor's side. Anyway, used the first dose. It BURNS like no other at first, but hoping it will help protect those sores so I can eat with less pain. For…
Treatment Update - ding ding, round 2
A little overdue but thought I'd share an update with you all. Deep into treatment now which consists of weekly infusions of Carboplatin. Fair to say this is not so much fun and I have 6 more to go. The main complaint I have is one of fatigue. I'm more or less wasted after chemo for 5 days. Nausea also comes and goes but…
Aloe Juice
So I start my rads tomorrow and my nurse told me to get organic aloe juice and drink 2 oz before and after radiation. Just wondering if anyone here has tried this and if you felt it made a difference. Thanks , Shirley
Peg tube
I'm not sure if this posted. I had my PEG tube inserted Friday and have been in the hospital since. I can keep anything down and still in some pain. They are taking me for a scan in a little while. Any suggestions. Thanks, Joanne
Peg tube
Had peg tube inserted Friday. Been in the hospital since. Can't keep anything down. Also in some pain. Taking me for a scan in a little while. For those that have or had them...any suggestions? Thanks, Joanne
L Glutamine Help
Almost 3 months out of Rad/Chemo treatments. Mouth burning (Burning Mouth Syndrone) mostly back of tongue/ upper-throat, and extremely DRY Mouth. Have read on posts about taking L Glutamine during treatment. Does it still work post-treatment? If so, dosage and powder or pill form the best. Both conditions are driving me…
Hair loss near radiation site
This is especially for the ladies. If you had hair loss near irradiated area, did it grow back once treatment stopped? Mine is coming out in clumps and it's freaking me out.
Ear pain
My ear started bothering me this week which is my third week. Feels like a bubble some times while other times it hurts like earache. PA told me to try Sudafed. Anyone else had this problem? Did it last through to the end? Got worse?
My radiation journey - Week 5
Well, the **** has hit the fan. As I expected, the dark side of treatments is rearing its ugly head. According to my doctor, I'm doing exceptionally well at this point. May be. But this week started getting difficult. My ferocious appetite has waned. The sores in my mouth coupled with the terrible taste of many foods, is…
Surviving 16 years post oral diagnosis
Hello to those who are interested. yes! It's been that long since my first diagnosis In 2000. The cancer came back 3 times. The jawbone replacement took place in 2013 but since then all is well. I'm very close to living my normal life except for the feeding tube ( 5 years now) but it has been a blessing in disguise . I…
Brushing your teeth
For those just beginning radiation therapy, I highly recommend the Oral B electric toothbrush with the round head. Before I started treatments, my dentist recommended it for its obvious cleaning benefits. I didn't realize then how invaluable it would be for me. I usually take my brush to work so I can be clean for…
10 Things To Never Say To Someone With Cancer
Today, I came across an in interesting article on MSN. The story detailed things not to say to people with various medical conditions, and one section was the “10 Things To Never Say To Someone With Cancer.” Here is the link:…
NED - 3 years
Haven't seen a NED report lately so figured I'd post one. It is always be reminded that many do get past the ordeal and return to living life as fully as before. Nobody forgets the support offered here and the family on the forum, dropping in occasionally but the absense of most is good sign that daily life is as full and…
Follow up visit
I had my second follow up with the surgeon today. (Tumor removal, tongue). Everything looks good. He did say that he could do an outpatiet surgery to fix the lump of skin on the top of my tongue, but I said I'd wait to see if it goes down any further. I keep messing with it and it is somewhat inflamed. I'm gonna give Advil…
Question for olfactory neuroblastoma folks
Hi I would like to get a second opinion for my treatment of ONB and wondered the name of the doctor and the hospital that you were treated at. I called my health insurance company and they said they needed the name of the doctor to see if it would be covered. Also, do you seek a head and neck specialist or a neurosurgeon…
Introduction (Stage IVA Tonsil Cancer)
Hello. First off let me say this site and the Head & Neck discussion board is a wonderful tool to use for a journey through this disease. I appreciate all the users that I have seen on this board and their helpful experiences. I am a 54 year old male and I was diagnosed with Tonsil Cancer on March 1, 2016; and was…
I need to be talked down, please.
I am really scared. As you all know, my husband was diagnosed with stage 1 tongue cancer (front, right side of tongue) in Oct. 2015. He has surgery, radiation and cisplatin, and finished treatment in January 2016. He has had 2 clean scans, the last one being in early May. He had a visit with the ENT back in May and with…
tounge flap
Hu...just wondering if anyone has ever had or have heard of having thier tounge flap released??Denisit has aske me if my doctor said anything about it.Told him no and he said he talk to him.Just wondering how it went...
Chi Ku: A Chinese term for what we face each day of treatment and recovery
I was relaxing in the park this weekend reading Oprah magazine and this phrase jumped out at me: Chi Ku. It translates literally as "to eat bitterness" and is a Chinese phrase for enduring hardship. It means to endure something unpleasant in good humor. Or to continue despite great difficulties in a general sense of…
Introduction
Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have cancer of the parotid gland. I was diagnosed after my surgery. They thought it was benign due to negative results of biopsy. I am glad this discussion board exists as I feel alone a bit. I'm starting radiation next week for six weeks. My name is Shirley and I'm thankful that you're all…
Recovery
Hi everyone. It has been so long since I visited that I had to re- register with a new name. I have forgotten all the abbreviations and buzz words, but I had squamous cell stage 3 cancerous lymph on right side of neck, primary site unknown. Had right side neck dissection, feeding tube, Erbitux (sp?) chemo and full…
Only 9 treatments So far
And I was stunned to see how irritated my gums were on the side that's being treated. I have a canker sore in upper mouth back where the molars are, the front part of my lower lips, and the gums already look blood red and swollen. Dentist said it's the beginning of mucositis :-( I'm trying to be positive and not get down…
Physical limitations after oral cancer
After having a neck dissection with radiation, I am wondering what are my physical limitations moving forward. Has anyone had to limit physical activities such as the gym, amusement parks, running, etc. My daughter loves roller coasters and we've become coaster buddies. But now I'm a little afraid of injuring my neck. I'm…
Article about HPV and H&N cancers
I ran across an older article, but a new one to me and thought I would share it. It is from HemOnc today. I did use the tiny.url site to make the link smaller. With the prevalence of HPV+ cancers increasing, I encourage all of you who have daughters, AND SONS, to have them vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. I know it was…
My dad's Voice prothesis was removed?? To enable speech ? How ? Why
It's a human right to speech yet dad's voice prothesis was removed to enable with swallowing difficulties . They have caused him to aspirate continuesly .. Now he can't , talk walk , eat or drink. 3. In order to prevent the occurrence of all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, States Parties shall ensure that all…
My radiation journey - Week 4
Well, I just completed week 4. Nineteen treatments of 33 are in the books. Here is a breakdown of what's happening: Food tastes horrible. I still have a strong appetite so I'm eating normally. But each day food tastes worse and worse. I can understand why some folks give up eating. Mouth sores are still manageable with no…
Radiation Doc Follow Up Today and Thank You
My husband met with his radiation oncologist today for a follow up visit. It has been 4 and a half months since he finished treatment for tongue cancer. The doc said that my husband looks excellent and that the prognosis looks great for him. The radiation and chemo was not required, and today the doc said he estimates…
Introduction
Hi! My name is Joanne. I was diagnosed with Stage IV A (T1N2bM0) cancer. Treatment plan is 7 weeks radiation, 5 days a week - chemo (cisplatin) 3 cycles, 3 weeks apart. I will have a PEG tube as I weigh 109 lbs dont have much weight to spare. I go to have my radiation mask made Friday and Monday will be the planning and…
And speaking of steak...what foods do you miss the most?
Steak is not a big thing for me...but I really miss fried chicken, pot roast, weiner schnitzel, BBQ...so many delicious meat and chicken dishes I used to enjoy. Used to love rice but it just swims around in my mouth now. Breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, danish and all those yummy desserts turn to glue in my mouth and…
Geographic mouth from radiation
I have been in remission since January 2008. Have some side effects from chemo and radiation. Loss of hearing, lots of mucuous but one of the most pain ones that has continued over the years and wish I could resolve is geographic tongue. It causes my mouth to burn and be very painful. My ent has prescribed "magic…

Head and Neck Cancer

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