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MD Anderson
This place is incredible so far. In one day we met with 5 doctors that specialize in head and neck cancer treatment! They ordered new bloodwork, a new CT, and got all of the tissue from the other hospital overnighted so they can do their own pathological work up. each doctor talked with us for at least 30 minutes and…
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Surgery Scheduled for tongue tumor
Finally got scheduled for surgery on July 11 (which sucks since it is my daughter's birthday). Dr Futran at the University of Washington Medical Center is going to perform the sugery. He says that the tumor is a T2 and no lymph nodes involved, but I have one that seems to be reacting to the tumor. So he is going to remove…
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Biopsy canceled
At closer look, the ONC went over PET and CT with radiologist. They determined the spot behind collar bone was a tracer and no biopsy was needed. That was concerning because he originally said "if we biopsy and it is cancer, it is less than 1 cm and can be easily removed. If, we wait and see and it grows it will be more of…
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i am back :)
Hello all. Its been a while, hope everything is going well with all of you guys. I'm back home today from a 11 hours craniofacial resection surgery on June 17th. It went great, tumor is out and thank god haven't experienced any of the risks we had in mind. I wanted to check in and let u know that I'm back, and thank thank…
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Trying To Deal With Diagnosis
It's been a few weeks since all the tests and biopsy confirmed cancer at the base of the tongue. Lymph nodes on right side are swollen. It's difficult when the only real symptom I'm experienceing is the occasional difficulty in swallowing some foods and now have to reconcile myself to the fact of putting myself through the…
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Lung-MAP Launches Trial
There is some hope to come ....Squamous cell lung cancer, is increasingly recognized as consisting of a host of relatively rare genomic subsets, each of which may require treatment with a different targeted drug. Clinical trial for patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer:…
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Updating my Update
Quick recap of my past posts - saw the ENT oncologist because of pain in my tongue and ear. First, because of past history of chemo, radiation and 3 surgeries on the tongue, doc felt I needed most of my tongue removed and rebuilt with tissue from my arm or neck. He did a biopsy and a CT and both came back negative. Next…
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Peripheral Neuropathy and Hypothyroidism
I am 3 yrs. post radiation/chemo for H&N cancer and have just been diagnosed w/ hypothyroidism because of an elevated TSH number of 16.9. All other thyroid numbers are normal. The presription is for Synthroid, 25mg once per day. I feel great and the only symptoms of hypothyroidism I have are severe stiffness in both hands…
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Ice Chips, Mucosistis & Chemo
I'm just starting my second round (2 of 7) 5 day inpatient, 5FU & Hydrea along with 1x day radiation To my neck. I did did pretty well the first round, however I had mouth & throat sores starting at about day 5 chemo and progressing into about day 5 post chemo. The mouth sores made it Difficult to eat And swallow. RX for…
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Boost VHC discount?
Hi Everyone. Is there a place where they offer discount for cancer survivors such as ourselves for the Boost very high calorie drinks? They have a program for Vitamix blender and so I was wondering if there is another one for the drink to use the blender with. PM
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UPDATE
As posted earlier, I had to stop Taxotere and go back to Cisplatin, as the Taxotere worked very good but have me horrible pleural efflusions. I'm happy to report the the Pleurex Catheter that was placed on my right side on Feb 22nd was removed last Thursday. I do have a small leaker on my left side and the plan now is to…
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Chemo Question...
Please excuse my naivety but I am new to this cancer game and it's a game I really hate playing. I am scheduled to begin my full course of 35 rads and 3 chemos (cisplatin, which I've heard called "the raging bull") in two weeks to the day on Wednesday, July 2. I'm very well aware that everyone is different to how they…
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Skiffin ~ 13JUN2014
Well friends and neighbors..... Following in my true abi-normal self, Friday the 13th and a full moon, LOL I think I might have finally reached the corner on this long azz block I've been walking. I haven't thrown up for a few days, which is wonderful... Eating still isn't going so well, mainly Ensure, but I am managing a…
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is tonsillectomy beneficial for Stage III tonsil cancer
Hello my husband is recently diagnosed with stage III SCC right tonisil. the neck lymphnode was the first sign and core biopsy was positive for HPV + SCC. The right tonsil lights up on PET. There is some debate on taking out the tonsil prior to radiation therapy. Most surgeons we have talked to say its of no benefit and…
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Pet Scan today and now the dreaded wait..ugggg
Hunny had his Pet Scan today following up end of treatment...the cat scan at the end of radiation still showed the mass present...they think it is dead tissue..praying they are right...please join me in the prayers!
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Skiff Update ~ 22 June 2014
Well, friends and neighbors.... It's been two months now... I still feel bad a lot, but have at lease started having more days that are better than worse. This road to recover has been a mud slide, filled with pot holes and a few back sldies..., it's been brutal to say the least. Not taking anything a way from you gals and…
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One year check
Can you believe I finished treatment a YEAR ago? I had my one year check yesterday, which consisted of an intense physical exam of my mouth, throat and jaw areas. Mostly using his hands and tongue depressers. They did bloodwork and two chest xrays (basically from my chin to my hip bones) I haven't heard anything yet and I…
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Excercise
Hi All, I am almost two weeks post treatment . Have ran a couple of miles and cycled 15 miles. I am going to attempt a 50 mile charity cycle ride this weekend (very slowly). Ive lost a lot if fitness and conditioning. Had some great advice already from Rick (Ratface) but am really interested in stories from you all and…
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Bad Day
DX: stage IV HPV 16+ HNSCC of the trachea/thyroid/lymph/lung. Primary unknown. We met with the local oncologist today for the first time. The 1st PET results from yesterday weren't great. They found 3-4 nodules in his lungs the size of "small grapes" that were not on the CR 3 weeks ago. The oncologist said this meant that…
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Scar Tissue??
Stage 4 Tonsil cancer. Lymph node involvement both sides. No surgery. 7 weeks of cisplatin and radiation. Discovered with lump on right side just underneath jaw. Now a year out of treatment. After treatment the "lump" was gone. Then "grew back." Oncologist says it is just "scar tissue." From the radiation? Never had…
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CT Results 18 month scan
To those of you that comforted me over the week-end, thank you. Your encouraging words and information (Don) helped me make it through the waiting period without having a melt down. Got the results back today and all is stable. Can't ask for more than that. I was greatly relieved when I received the email from my doctor.…
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Mets to Bone
Anyone here dealing with mets to bones? Was on avastin at end of the year for mets to lungs from renal cell. Had bad cough and short story I blew a hole in my lung due to the cough and a badly placed lung nodule. They patched me up and took 2 nodules out and found that they were squamous cell and not renal cell (I had…
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Just checking in
Well today is the two month mark. I would like to say things are getting easier but it seems like often they are worse. It is funny how friends and family almost sufficate you with care the first few weeks, then almost forget you. Life moves on for them but seems to stand still for me. I am not criticizing them, I did the…
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PEG tube feeding question - 8 oz. bolus anyone?
Hi everybody! First, I wish everybody here as good a recovery as I have been blessed with. I'm sure my "problem" is insiginificant compared to almost everybody here, but it is important to me. I went through the entire chemo/radiation treatment for cancer at the base of my tongue almost three years ago. Complications from…
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Tooth Extraction Protocol
I have read many posts here and elsewhere regarding the fact that many people have had to have teeth removed before radiation treatment. Some people not losing any, and some losing all, and others varying numbers, "before" rads. Is this the norm in American oncology treatment pre-rad? The protocol here in Canada, as I…
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i need information about the effects of radiation
Hi.. I am new here and have read posts and comments all afternoon. I hope someone can help because we are scared and dr doesn't seem to have any answers. My husband was diagnosed with nasopharnal cancer in Jan 2013. It was in both neck nodes. We thought he had strep. He has gone through radiation and chemo. He had the peg…
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has anyone lost thir voice post treatment
Just wondering if anyone else has lost their voice post treatment? I am two years post treatment and just lost my voice a couple of days ago. Robert
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trach tube removed
Last Friday the doctor finally removed the trach tube.I asked how long do I need to keep the gauze covering it he said about week.I have been changing it everyday but the thing is it hasn't closed up like I thought it would.Do you keep the it bandaged or just leave it open now and see if it closes as it is more exposed to…
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Not Sure
Not sure if I should go back to my ent .......I still have a raw burning sensation on the left side of my throat I feel when I have a coffee its worse he sent me for one of those acid reflux test I have not gone yet ...when he scoped me he didn't see anything out of the ordinary....Hmmm…
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Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Palate Low Grade - Help
Hi! I've been diagnosed with Mucoepidermoid carcinoma involving the minor salivary glands on the palate. Had a surgery 20 days ago to remove a lump on my right palate (1.4 cm) which turned out to be Low Grade Mucoepidermoid. I've been told margins were free and I don't need any radiation or Chemio. But I'm very scared and…