-
advice on tattoo post treatment
Hello Everyone, It has been a while since I posted. It will be a year that my husband Robert finished treatment on April 2nd. He has been thinking of getting a tattoo redone and would like to hear any advice or thoughts on the idea. Thanks, Denise
-
Late effects to lungs - check!
Got a preliminary written report on my CT Thorax from my oncologist (still not the lung doc) which stated two conclusions of note: (1) Multiple nonspecific pulmonary nodules measuring up to 4 mm in the right upper lobe, and (2) Biapial ground glass opacities, likely representing postradiation change. First response -…
-
Robotic surgery recommended
Today, I saw a Mayo head and neck cancer surgeon. Despite several MRIs, PET scans, and scope examinations of my oral cavities, they still have not found the primary site of the cancer. The only place it has shown up is in the lymph nodes, both sides. Their recommendation is robotic surgery where they would biopsy each…
-
Newly diagnosed SCC in lymph nodes but primary source unknown- Should I get tonsillectomy biopsy?
Hi, everyone. I was just diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma -- head and neck cancer. I am 59 yr old male in good health...not a smoker or heavy drinker. My lymph nodes on both sides are affected, but they could not identify a primary cancer site through MRI, PET scan or ENT exam. The ENT is recommending more…
-
Finally a desicion from Social Security
Hey everyone, I have been waiting patiently since mid January for Social Security to make a decision, I expected that they would request that I be seen by their doctors(but no request came). I could log in everyday and check status and it always said "No decision, processing your medical information", well yesterday it…
-
Donna B ~ To Radiate or Not To radiate...That's the Question...
Reposted for a first time poster,,, donna b Posts: 1 Joined: Mar 2013 Mar 18, 2013 - 1:07 pm This is my first time on this New This is my first time on this sight. My case is a bit different from those I've read, although similar enough for someone out there to help, I'm sure. In january, I had surgery for stage 1 tongue…
-
Hearing Aids
I don’t know how many of you use hearing aids, but I been using them now for almost 9 years. This is my 3rd set I got a few weeks ago and by far the best one’s I ever had. I can hear so well that I can play my Guitar again because I can now hear the music. The ones I am now using is the ReSound Verso, if you want to hear…
-
Less is a Good Thing!
I met with my MO today. She's pretty cool and really pretty too (so is my Nurse Practitioner Manager) ;) We spoke about the treatment and I'll be getting a hearing test next week. Hearing loss, if it happens, occurs after several treatments so we'll have a baseline to compare with as the weeks go by. I have all the…
-
Our New Journey
30 Rads Down 3 to go!!!!!!! Taking a day off tomorrw to have PEG placed. Nutrition is way down, throat and mouth very sore, can't seem to drink anything thicker than water. Going to get fluids everyday now. Not to sure about chemo. There is a possibility of continuing on for a few weeks post rad treatment. I should know…
-
Glossectomy and radical neck dissection
Looking for someone who has dealt with almost a complete glossectomy and radical neck dissection. Has been 3 months since surgery and don't see much progress. Getting extremely discouraged. Wondering if anyone has been through this.
-
Attitude is everything.....
how often do we hear that phrase, from medical professionals, counsellors, caregivers, friends and even within our Head and Neck family? I've always tried to be a 'glass half full' person and recently I got to thinking how I've been able to adopt and keep such an outlook. While searching my archived files the other day, I…
-
Loosing Weight: PEG Tube
I have lost about 5 lbs over the last month in spite of eating quite well. I did have a boost in my thyroid meds and I do not feel freezing all of the time. Perhaps, I'm just burning more calories and need to adjust intake. I really would rather avoid the PEG Tube, if at all possible. Did you guys have trouble taking food…
-
Still struggling after 3 years in remission
Today I am officially in remission for 3 years after having stage 4 cancer in my maxillary sinus on the left side of my face and had 30 sessions of radiation after major surgery. I was just at the doctor a week ago and everything looks goand but I'm still struggling a lot with all the repercussions after my surgeries,…
-
Happy Saint Patricks Day!
I said to my husband this morning,"you know, it seems so much colder than it was when we use to go to the Saint Paddy's parade in Dublin ( Ohio ). He " I don't remember ever going to a Saint Paddy's Day parade, we use to go to the 4th of July parade all the time.............hummmm, maybe that's why it seemed so much warmer…
-
Okay, Icky Subject, But Looking For Suggestions
For quite a while, hubby has had nasty tasting drainage from his tumor. It's the primary reason he can't eat. He spits constantly. Surgical Onc suggested Mucinex DM, but that appears to be for coughing things up from congested lungs, so he won't try it. Did anyone have this going on and what did you use to alleviate it?…
-
Ready To Get Off The Merry-Go-Round Now
What a day! During MDA Internest appt. this morning, G-tube wound started pouring blood. Son noticed blood coming through hubby's shirt. Doc said "I'll get the nurse". No nurse. Then no doc. Hallway was empty. Finally snagged another doc who found the nurse. She cleaned him up and rebandaged. Continued on to Rad #9.…
-
Great Scan Results
The preliminary results of my CT Scan were great. The tumors (for the most part) have shrunk by 50%. I am also virtually free of cancer-induced pain. So I'm continuing with the chemo, with only a slight modification. I will be going to a 3-week cycle, in the place of a 4-week cycle. 3 Weeks: 2 weeks with Taxol and Erbitux…
-
Unfit care giver anxiety
Hey there ! I'm hoping you folks can help me through this one. Or chew my butt if I'm off base on how I'm feeling tonight. I received a call today from my sister-in-law. Had a very good visit with her until the end of the call. I was told that because of my health issues (meaning my cancer and lung issues) I was going to…
-
tirosint
Has anyone been put on tirosint instead of synthroid or the others?
-
Chef Daddy Mike
Just to let you know Chef Daddy Mike Son is not doing so well. His leukemia came back with a vengeance and they are not expecting him to live much longer. Please keep Mike and his daughter & Son in prayer Hondo
-
Ladylacey
My moms diagnosis sounds a lot like your husband. 9 years ago she had epiglottis SCC. She did radiation and chemo and has been in remission for 9 years. January 13 she started having trouble swallowing so ENT did biopsy on pharyngeal wall and it came back SCC. He then referred her to ENT in Houston med center where we met…
-
"T" Day
Well this is it kids! The bags are packed and in about hour we'll be on our way. Simulation today, 1st RT tomorrow and Friday then home for the weekend. Chemo starts Monday. I just want to say thank you for all the encouragement, positive vibes and prayers. The knowledge I've gained will help me immensely as I begin this…
-
Appointments in the AM
Finally! My two week wait is over. Tomorrow at 8am Dan sees the ENT Surgeon who manages his care, hopefully he will remove the wax in Dan's ear so he can hear! And 10 minutes later, is my appt for the thyroid removal/biopsy planning. I never ever thought the two weeks was going to pass. We have waited so many 'waiting…
-
Anyone else with unknown cheek mass anterior of parotid gland?
About 2 years ago I had a marble sized lump in my left cheek--dx was blocked parotid gland. It resolved on its own. In January of this year I felt another lump thing in the same general area. The mass has a thread from the top of the cheek( off the gum) coming down into the mass. The mass is moe like V with a tail and then…
-
question about traveling with fibersource.....I will be in Washington DC Friday the 18th - Thursday
So I will be traveling for over 8 days. My question is: Can I pick up my formula for my tube feeding IN Washington DC from a hospital? Is there some kind of travel program set up for tube feeders, to make travel easier? Otherwise I have to carry 34lbs worth of formula across the U.S. with me, along with my suction unit ,…
-
Arts and Crafts
Take a peek at what my daughter's friend made from my radiation mask. Way to GO Marie!
-
Scanned Today-Results Tomorrow-UPDATED
Well, had my scan today and my Onc went all out. CT of the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. Now I have 24 hours to make it though. Man I wish I lived in medical marijuana land. :) Joe
-
First night alone
Tonight is my first night home alone. David is in Cardinal Hill after a total hip replacement. I am glad we had the surgery because we found out that the hip was indeed fractured. They repaired the fracture, removed the tumor and completed a total hip replacement. He is a little stressed being there in the evenings without…
-
Dad had a stroke and an UTI.
Hi guys, I wanted to give you an update about dad. Last Tuesday he was sitting at the table eating and then told me he felt very weak and needed some help getting up. I helped him up and off to bed he went. Woke up at 5:30 with dry heaves and diareha issues. Mom and I had a virus so assumed that is what it was. One top of…
-
Oscar Sierra II
Well, I saw my ENT after speaking with my RO, and it seems that the two of them have a rather vocal disagreement going on. The RO seems to think that the ENT missed the node that was hot on the October scan. The ENT maintains that he did get the right node, after all, pathology came back with evidence of active disease.…