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Back to the grindstone....
All, any thoughts about returning to work? I'm not quite ready to return yet 2.5 weeks post treatment but am planning ahead. Any examples of how long before a staged return? I had neck dissection/tonsil out/3 cisplatin/33 rads. IM very active and eating well. Neck still a bit stiff. I know there will be lots of experience…
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Question about teeth extractions
Hello to all my dad recently went to the dentist because his cap came out. The dentist said he had 2 teeth eroding from dry mouth and that he recommended pulling them. We went to an oral surgeon and he would recommend grinding them down and then leaving them. He did talk about the hyperbaric oxygen chamber but said it had…
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One year....NED
My bloodwork shows that my thyroid is still functioning normalls (for now, they said!) and my chest xrays all came back clear. They have not done any scans and do not feel that any are needed. I feel so relieved! Thank you ALL for your encouragement last year. YOU helped me through!!
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Thursday
This coming Thursday the 3rd July is my next appointment with the ENT at Hershey, will have a strobescope like always and then a meeting with the man. This will be my five year checkup for my larynx. Last July he said if the throat looks the same next July he will consider my larynx cancer to be cured. Throat still feels…
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It is more than cellulitus
Saw new ENT Thursday who delivered not so good news. The fibula they used to rebuild my jaw 2 1/2 years ago is dead. Will have bone scan to see if all or part is bad. It is exposed inside with no good blood supply. Also, my left vocal cord is paralyized. Don't know how long it has been that way. He said they will remove…
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5 Year STGIII Tonsil Cancer ~ Clean and Clear...
Even though I'm struglling from the Whipple.... I just want to ofer encouragement for my fellow survivors, care givers and those battling... I have officially hit the five year post treatment mark... Clean and clear... So even though you may be going through hell, been there, or just starting this journey.... It does get…
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Financial Aid
HOw do patients keep up with bills while undergoing treatment? I had extensive mouth surgery at the beginning of March and 4 weeks later started 7 1/2 weeks of chemoand radiation treatments. All this time I was not paid and it does not look like I can return to work soon. I get medical bills every day along with doctor…
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scanxiety
Well just finished my scans were a CT and a PET scan today.I know that I have a small lump that we biopsied with a needle and found SCC again,Just need to see where the primary is,And that's the scanxiety part now the wait starts again for about 5 to 7 days,Hate the wait.
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radiation Nerve Damage
I have had radiation treaments that ended March 10, 2014, and since then I have had some new problem eveyday day the one I have now, is as long as I'm sitting down it don't happen but sometime I stand up and my legs start jerking and I have to hold on to something before I fall then my hands start jerking and if I I'm…
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FROM NED LAST WEEK TO A NERVOUS WRECK TODAY
Went to see ENT today thinking it was just going to be routine visit since I had just got a NED from my cat scan last week from the radiation oncologist. ENT doesn't like the looks of the right side of the thyroid on the cat scan, says it is larger than the left side. Had an ultrasound today.He discussed all the kinds of…
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NED for my husband
Hi guys, It's been a while. . its almost 2 years since my husband was diagnosed of NPC stage 2. . but we heard a good news from his doctor. He said that my husband has a clear mri result and no mass detected as of May 2014. So they decided to have his next scan after 1 year since after the 3 mri (6 months interval) all…
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ok all you smarty pants!
ok we got results from the scan...here they are There is a mild Asymmetric uptake and tissue thickening in the left hypopharynx extending into the left tonsillar bed. Uptake values of up to 5.3 are seen in this area (previous 11.6) the uptake is not focal and is likely related to prior surgery and radiation. No new focal…
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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…