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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…
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treatment begins
After months of waiting and worrying, my first chemo is today. Doctor decided to use erbitux. Sounded like a good choice (less side effects) until I read about it on the internet. I will be having it together with radiation which begins next week. Does anyone have experience with erbitux? Dr said no hair loss or nausea. I…
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Husband getting trachea Help
My husband is getting ready to have a trachea put in next Thursday, September 20th. He was diagnosed with squamous cell carncinoma which had metasize after 6 months of chemotherapy and 38 radation treatments.. he is no longer able to breath due to damage to his windpipe can anyone out there talk to me about this or does…
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Special Prayers for Special Lady
As many of you know, my sister Colleen is losing her battle with cancer.. She's pretty much in a sleep state for these last few days, and they don't expect her to survive more than a few more. Please keep Colleen in your prayers, and for a peaceful passing... She's a loving person, and it has been such an honor to share…
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Super blessed! A true feel good story :) UPDATE
As many of you know I've run up about $225K in medical bills without any insurance. Well, Medicaid has decided to help, but to give me a $20k deductible. I am VERY pleased with that. Yes, it's a lot of money but I am beyond thankful for the assistance. Well, I now have about $1500 out of pocket in dental procedures to have…
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Another Step Forward
Just had to share; when I lived on the in PA I was an ATA (amateur trap association) memeber, I shot trap/clay targets competively all over the east coast and at the Grand American in Ohio several times. Since moving to AZ not so much, then my dance with the Big C kinda put a hault to such things. Well since getting ,my…
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prognosis stage IV
Did anyone get a prognosis for stage IV cancer, I think thats what my stage may be. I didn't get any info on the stages or the prognosis. Reading the forums it seems to me about 2/3 of cancers come back again. Thats worrying although many of you came through a second cancer . I read that once the cancer reaches the lymph…
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I'm new here, Hello everyone
Hi, My name is Janice. I was told last May 2012, I had mucoepidermoid carcinoma primary sight unknown. Well, this May they found the primary sight, the base of my tongue. I'm told this is a rare cancer and having it in the tongue area is almost unheard of. I went to the tumor board last Friday to discuss my case. According…
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Ran across this
I don't know if this has been posted before but I thought it was interesting. http://www.npr.org/search/index.php?searchinput=HPV I am think my immune system is not the best. I rarely get sick but I am on my 3rd cancer, melanoma 40 years ago, prostate 12 years ago and now scchn. Although the melanoma which was a mole on…