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Suction pump
I am a long term NPC survivor and had to get a feeding tube just over 2 1/2 years ago. My swallowing has continued to worsen and now I am looking for a suction machine to help with saliva/secretions that I am having trouble swallowing. I have insurance but there is a high deductible and I have found that it can be more…
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So, I finished today!
Now for the dreaded week 8 and the recovery. I hope I can get back to work pretty quickly. I still have quite a bit of stamina. I never had a feeding tube but it makes eating a challenge at the moment because it hurts like heck to swollow anything. But, I'm sure I will overcome that. Thanks everyone for the support... I'm…
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Esophagus skin sloughing off...
How long does this happen? Also, I don't really have that sore of a throat anymore (maybe because I'm wearing a pain patch), but the food supplements (SPIZ, Carnation Essentials, Ensure, etc) all cause a thick mucousy situation that is hard to clear out. How long does that last? lol Thanks again guys and God bless, Jamie
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Merry Christmas
Just in case you get busy and don't get on during the next week, I just want to say Merry Christmas and Happy (Healthy) New Year to my CSN family. I pray you have a safe and wonderful holiday season. I know many of us are looking forward to the end of 2013 and praying for a much better 2014, I hope it is better for…
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False teeth
For you guys that had to have all of your teeth removed, how long after treatment ended were you able to get dentures? Thanks and God bless, Jamie
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Food taboo for cancer survivors?
Happy Holidays everyone. Well, I am finally having food craving after finishing treatments for three weeks. I want to eat hot dogs, tacos, burritos, sandwiches, soups...etc. However, I was advised by family member to stay away from beef and raw food such as oyster and sushi. Does anyone have a take on this issue from your…
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NED!!!
Scan results are in, NED!! Best Christmas present I could have. They ordered more blood work, they think my thyroid may be fried from the radiation but other than that, all 3 doctors said everything looked great. So blessed, thank God for answered prayers.
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I am Joining the Thyroid Club
Fellow Thyrodians, As you can see, I am trending higher and I will be adding Levothyroxine to my ever increasing pill regiment. Prior to cancer, I only took Prilosec, now I have my own pill box. Oh well, now that I am crossing over who is going to teach me the secret hand shake and where is the club house? Is there a…
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I finally met him
It has been a long journey, I have finally met NED! MRI Tuesday morning, 2 doctor appointments in the afternoon. Cancer is aggressively DYING!!!! It wasn't just my nerve, I never heard the word tumor in September. I just heard the 'c' had returned 6 months after treatment and I guess I just shut down. There was a tumor in…
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Merry Christmas Y'all
Hi all: Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I'm headed to in-laws in a couple of hours. Have now left J0-Ann's and will be able to sub full time starting after Christmas. Already have 3 days in January booked. No more nite or weekend work so I'm excited. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to work at Jo-Ann's…
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Anyone have this happen with insurance and rads?
Had a Christmas surprise after rads today. Two ladies from billing came to see me about Cigna who decided the last week of radiation that I would have to pay $40. each day of radiation which amounts to about $1300. This came as a surprise and we (the Century 21 oncology center), me and my Cigna oncology case manager…
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Stitches keep PEG in place instead of rubber seal - common?
I have a feeding tube. However, instead of a rubber button holding the tube in place on the outside of the stomach, I have stitches that hold the tube to the skin. The problem I have with this recently is that when the stomach wants food, it growls and spasms. The tube get pulls inward then pushes outward like a tug of…
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A CSN 'Twas the Night Before Christmas & The 12 Things of Cancer Such a Pain to Me ~ Sweetblood22 ~
I took the liberty to update and revisit Dawn's poem of a few years ago, and add some of the newbies that have joined the family since then... This poem, was literally, inspired by a dream I had a couple weeks ago: The Night Before Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the place not a CSN member was…
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Partial reversal of aging achieved in mice by restoring mitochondria cellular communication
Not easy, but very interesting read at: http://ge.tt/29tj9ZA1/v/0 . Hope this link is still active, so that you can get the full article. There is also a cancer connection.
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What is best for the neck burn and itch?
I have a cream called Alra which the R/O gave me to use and it is soothing and I apply it 3X a day, but the itching is getting to me. I know I may take benedryl but do not want to as it makes me too sleepy to drive. Any thoughts on what to use for the itching? PJ
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He's Eating Popcorn 26 days post Rads!
Well, it is 26 days post last radiation, 31 days post chemo and 33 days after his PEG tube was placed and he ate today for the first time! We went to the movies and I got some popcorn - he was so hungry for food - he started eating popcorn!!! I started to laugh outloud and then we went to get a burrito. Like everyone says…
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Tongue Problems- tongue doesn't cooperate eating and specking
Tongue Problems It will be 1 year since my husband was dingoes with neck and head cancer and recent PAT scan has showed more cancer so I am busy making all this appointments with university of Chicago, but mean time my husband has develop new problems in his mouth. His right side tongue doesn't cooperate eating and…
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To those receiving rads now
Friends with ongoing rads, This is a little off the beaten path, but did you know you can have your treatment watched by others, i.e. caretaker, It is an experience not for everyone but my wife was glad to see the whole procedure (pre-mask, mask and rad treatment). I am glad I asked as I wanted her to see what all the fuss…
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Chompers
Dental health is a concern of many and it's been discussed here on many occasions. I first saw a post about it and it kind of freaked me out that my teeth may go buh bye several years down the line. I had an extraction prior to treatment and a deep cleaning. I also have some issues with receding gums and bone loss. I went…
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Xanax (sp?)
Hi All, I have a prescription of Xanax .5's of which I take one every day before I have rad treatment. I have two rad treatments left. However, I struggled sooooo hard with the last few treatments, I'm wondering if it is ok for me to take two of those buggers to get me through. Have any of you ever doubled up on your Xanax…
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off topic but need prayers
It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride since my daughter was born 3 weeks ago. Our 2 year old has been sick almost constantly since then which is really unusual for her. So, my hubby & I have been doing what we can to keep the two of them separate. Apparently we did not do a good enough job. My 3 week old started…
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Ear change
Have noticed that my ears are not producing any wax. Usually had to clean them at least once a week and was better after a warm shower. Now after 7 weeks of radiation and 3 rounds of Cemo - nothing. My last treatment was 8 months ago for neck cancer. Any ideas? Anyone have this? I'm seeing my ENT monday and hope to…
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Sign language
Someone mentioned sign language in a post and of course I can't remember who and which post. A friend of mine works with hard of hearing children and she said aslpro.com. When she finds other sites I will pass the information on.
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Scan results- my journey continues
So much to take in and so many mixed emotions. Flew to Mayo early yesterday, had scan, met with ONC and then Radiologist, finished about 6pm and flew back to STL. Got some awesome news and some not so good. I will start with the great news...the SBRT tx worked! The life threatening tumor wrapped around left carotid artery…
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Cancer Again in St. Louis
I just found out I have SSC in the esophagus. Doctor found it during the dilations. THe first 11 procudes were clear. The 12th (NOv 27) the noticed something, but it was only 12 days since the prior one (Nov 15), so it could have been it just hadn't healed yet. Monday he took a biopsy and it came back positive. I had…
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How long after treatment when energy comes back?
For H&N cancer, how long does it usually take for energy and strength to come back or start to come back? Is it normal to feel weak and tired still? Does it mean the cancer is still there or the damages have been done and the body repairing? One day is good then next day shot to bottom. So unpredictable. Please provide…
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Need feedback please! Thoughts/experiences with Stanford and/or UCSF
My wife and I went to UCSF yesterday for a second opinion. Dr. Ryan came to the same conclusion and treatment plan as the Dr.'s at Stanford. 3 rounds of Cisplatin with daily radiation for 6-8 weeks. We are trying to make a decision as to which hospital to use. Would anyone care to share their experience, positive or…
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Blurred Vision
Hello everyone, my name is Dennis This site was highly recommended to me by one of the nurses who is treating me. I was diagnosed with NPC on 2/22/13. TC3,N2,M0. My treatment at this time is 35 Radiation treatments and 12 Chemo treatments. So far I have undergone 13 Rad and 3 Chemo treatments. I am having trouble with my…
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Having myself a little pity party here.
Wow, I am in some kind of mood lately. I am tired. I am stressed. I am sad. It's been one heck of a year and things fell into place for us to sell our home and move to another one that would financially be a much better option. We are packing and willl move Jan. 3. Well, you all know how dang stressful that is and the…
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Advice to NOT get Scans
Hello All, and Merry Christmas! I just got off the phone with my brother. He told me that he saw his ENT yesterday and that all is good, that he sees nothing nor does he feel anything out of the ordinary. Great news, right? The thing that made me raise my eyebrows is this, his ENT also told him that he does NOT need to get…