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Coborns recheck today
Well I go back in this morning to my first medical oncologist. The Drs. at the University of Mn. were so accommedating in helping facillitate this for me. Some family members are confused on my choices....I giggle and say welcome to the party guys ! Please excuse my spelling and wording as some days it's harder to…
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Depression after Treatment
I got to thinking as I read this. People post from time to time on this board who are clearly depressed, or post about someone who is clearly depressed. It makes intuitive sense that depression frequently follows treatment for this disease, but I was unaware until now that anyone has actually looked at it. I know this: no…
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Newly diagnosed SCC tongue base T-1N-1 HPV16+
Hello survivors, I recently had surgery (sept 4) a partial glossectomy (TORS) and a left neck dissection. My surgeon at Vanderbilt meticuously collected slides of tissue from either side of the tumor, below it and several other places and found no evidence of cancer in any margins any where else on the tongue. He removed…
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Neuropathy
Hi all, apologies for my slackness in keeping active on the site with regards to posting. Fair to say more of a observer then participator. I have been working on getting my systems back online post treatment and as reinforced by all the comments / posts on this site, the majority of things do come back in time for most.…
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Still Clean
UPDATE: Saw my ENT/Surgeon today at nearly 5 months post treatment. Scoped, poked and prodded. All looks great! No concerns. Next appointment in November. Off the narcs, still healing and coming along nicely. "T"
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Is it normal to have surgery before radiation?
Hi. I'm new here. my brother was recently dx with stage 4 ssc of tongue and tonsils. He had a pet scan Friday and will get the results Monday. My understanding is that if the cancer has not spread, he will have a surgery to insert a feeding tube and then a few days later he will have a 12-15 hour surgery to remove the…
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Base of tongue Cancer-Tongue Pain
Good morning, Did anyone have any tongue pain prior to getting diagnosed with BOT cancer? It seems most of you had other symptoms or enlarged lymph nodes, so just curious to see if anyone had tongue pain at the base of any kind. Thank you, Wellington
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Oral Surgeon this morning **UPDATE**
On my way to see the oral surgeon. I have a tooth (back top molar) that has broken 4 times. Everyone (ENT, RAD ONC, dentist, etc..) want it extracted. It's on the opposite side of my surgeries and treatment. He's going to see if I can open my mouth enough to get the darn thing out. Silly as it sounds...I'm terrified. I am…
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Recovery ~ a straight line or setbacks?
Well that nice little bit of white foamy saliva that I had for a few days, and that I posted on a couple days ago, has disappeared. I'm sure that since it showed up once it will show up again. But I have had dry mouth for the last few days and don't understand it. Nothing has changed; I'm still eating and drinking all the…
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in the dark
Hi, Thank you to everyone here for sharing your experiences. I've been reading posts and have learned much about head and neck cancers, and feel better for the knowledge. This doesn't help me understand why a friend from work told me in early April he has Stage IV throat cancer, and won't let me support him. Maybe my…
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Determining that you're no longer HPV positive
I was asked a question not long ago, how will I know that I'm no longer HPV positive? I don't think that there is a test for males, in fact I think that there is only a test for the HPV DNA in harvested tissue, and I think it is usually cancer or pre-cancerous tissues that will exhibit it. Anyone know of a test that I…
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Scans Tomorrow and Scared to Death
PET scan, and all docs tomorrow. I am scared to death. Please pray. Sandy
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Silver linings
With all the complaining that we cancer patients and survivors do (and much of it perfectly understable), do we sometimes overlook the positive things that can come from it? I have struggled with my weight all of my life, up and down the scale like a yoyo. At this rate with my compromised saliva I believe I may never be…
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Colleen Passed...
Thanks for the thoughts, prayers and well wishes for my sister, myself and my family.. Colleen passed away comfortably yesterday at 1:01PM. John
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BURP
Can youNew drink alcohol through a PEG, ...don't drink, but this bizarre thought ran through my head reading of your experiences with an alcoholic drink . I'm told with a PEG you only taste whats gone through the PEG when you 'burp'. This thought amused me 'B..U..R..P' umm that was nice ha ha. Anyone have amusing stories…
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Thrush
my 3rd bout with this crap - i am going to have to really research what i can do. My wife is telling me pro biotics - i think there is a pill form and it comes in some yogurts. it may have something to do when i drink alcohol. my daughter got married over the weekend and i over indulged. had a great time. but a day later…
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Duggie Jeff & Skiffin John ~ ShowDown Tampa
Shelley and I had the pleasure to meet up with Jeff and his son this afternoon in Tampa and swap a few stories...., anyones ears burning around 2:00PM or so..., hmmmm. We had a great time, and enjoyed some good cold frozen yogurt on a hot Saturday afternoon.. Next time, treat is on me Jeff...., Flounder time Gandy Bridge…
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Kidneys
When I had the high dose cisplatin back in 2009 it did damage to my kidneys, my creatine levels were around 2 to 2.2 for the following years. Last year when I was hospitalized for my lung surgery, it was 1.9. Had it checked again in May it was down to 1.79. Had it checked again last Friday and it's now 1.62. Did anyone…
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Eurbtix and Gammaknife
Hi Everyone haven't been here for a while my husband has nasopharengyl Carcinoma the cancer has not metastasize. At first the ENT didn't not give us any hope and gave my husband a year to live. His oncologists disagreed with the ENT and said that the doctor should have never told us that. My husband has just finished 6…
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MMmmmmmm!!
I tried wine a little while back and it was a definite no no! It was like drinking rubbing alcohol and burnt the hell out of my mouth. Today was one of those beautiful summer days that begs for a beer so I picked up some when I did the shopping. I figured worst case Marcia will drink it and use it for cooking. I'm a huge…
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carotid arteries
Met with my cardio doctor today, back in 2008 I had a minor stroke that was attributed to a blocked left side carotid artery. Underwent an endarterectomy to have it cleaned it. Then I underwent radiation to the neck and I was moved from yearly check ups (ultrasound) of the carotids to six months, 2011 went back to yearly.…
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so sad
It grieves me to, open this site, and, see so many new names that are just beginning either their or a loved ones journey. Just want to say, you're amongst the most caring,kind,loving,knowledgeable people you could even imagine..the treatment is brutal, the recovery is hard, the finish is wonderful..you'll get there. A…
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Chemo with radiation/ Did your hair fall out?
I'm just getting ready to begin treatment and I know it sounds vain (in the oveall picture) but did most of you lose your hair? I never read about that in the side effects for HNC treatment.
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HPV Origin Throat Cancer stage4
My husband has HPV Origin Throat Cancer stage4 and he is only 36 year old. This came suddenly so fast in our life unexpected!! and we started his treatment last week. His protocol is 36 radiations and 3 chemo treatment. He has surgery for port and g-tube before we started this therapy. He is also starting acupuncture once…
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Can use some advise Tongue & Neck Cancer IVa
My husband has a tumor at the base of his tongue & 4 tumors in his neck (left side). He started Chemo & Rad 2 weeks ago. I am doing my best to keep his spirits up but this is a difficult task. This morning he woke with a very sore mouth. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. He has tried the special toothpaste…
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Risk taking?
Hi all! I've recently been diagnosed with adenocystic carcinoma. I found what I thought was a swollen gland on my neck and after a couple of months went to the doctor. After trying some things like an antibiotic and pilocarpine over several months, I finally talked my doctor into removing it. That's when he discovered it…
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nasopharyngeal carcinoma stage 4 - making life easier
Hi All, This forum is a light in a dark tunnel. I'm so grateful to everyone who takes the time to post and share information on their experiences to help others. My mom just got diagnosed with Stage 4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We are all very worried about her and want to make sure that we can give her the best care…
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Mask has been made
Number 4! Cyberknife will be Wednesday, Thursday and maybe Friday. I feel very good about this treatment. Doctor was very encouraging. I will leave Wed. morning and stay at my sister's again. It is great to have so much support. Also, pain med was upped, I was on a 'whimpy' dose! I would rather sleep than be in pain. 'C'…
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Devastated by my scan
Prayers please as I am still trying to pull together my thoughts. Cancer has returned wrapped around my carotid artery and jugular vein. Surgery is not an option as too tight an area with too many critical parts. Dr said it a rare place to metastize. I will have a PET Tuesday to determine if in bones or liver. Lungs are…
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Chat to specialist
I had a good chat with my 'Wednesday' specialist at the Churchill hospital yesterday. I feel a lot better about the rad /mask. I have the usual neck cancer SCC. They will give me strong rad on the right side of my neck and tongue and lighter strength the left side. I had 3 Cancerous nodes removed along with 29 other down…