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chemo rads to start
The plan is to start Cisplatin (sp?) 12/18 and do a dry run of radiation....then we start on our 35 rads daily routine. After so much waiting and diagnosing, it feel like it is moving so fast and there is not enough time to gather or prepare what we need. But the sooner we start, the sooner we finish. So here we go. I am…
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PORT OUT TODAY!!
I had my port removed today. It feels kind of good to have that last little object removed from the treatment side. Makes me feel kind of "normal" again. Was glad I got to do it before the end of the year, already had max out of pocket met.
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Post Treatment Issue
My 85 year old father is 3 months 33 radiation and 7 chemo therapy treatments for epiglottis cancer. Although he says he 'feels good' and is eating (some) and drinking without problems, he does say he has a lump in his throat. Says he tries clearing it, and doesn't inhibit his swallowing, but still feels like it is there.…
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Why cant we just be normal
I am seeing all the people I started this journey with ringing the bell and I am extremely happy you have made it this far, but I also find myself upset that nothing along this journey has been normal for us. It is like we got on the wrong bus. From the very beginning you stood by me as I lamented about all our delays and…
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Wish me luck...and send prayers....
I have my first PET scan tomorrow morning at 9:00. I can't believe how nervous I am...out and out scared to be honest about it. The what if's started attacking Sat morning when I read about Larry Hageman...how stupid of me, I know...but that sent me on a bummer weekend. I'm better now, but still so so nervous. p
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Group Cyber Hug
I have not posted much lately but have been keeping up with each of you as some continue their journey and others just start it. I am behind on responding to the many posts and I apologize. I need to pay forward the wonderful support we got here during hubby's tonsil cancer treatment. Some of you have good news, others new…
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Advice for neck burn
My husband completed 30 radiation treatments to right neck on this past Wednesday. Was doing pretty good but last two days his neck has become blistered, dark red and extremely painful. I knew this was going to happen but just feel so awful for him. I know some of you veterans on the site have experience with this. We are…
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Tx is complete today....time to heal..
Hi Folks, Well...today is his last day of treatment! We are on the road to recovery after today. We were told the tongue, mouth, and neck will take about 3-4 weeks to heal. They will slowly start to wein him off his meds. Still keeping the feeding tube in for about 3 months. They are confident that he will be able to start…
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Cancer Has Returned
It has been quite some time since I have posted or been on this website. I have received much good advice and shared with others suffering head and neck cancer issues in the past on here. I was diagnosed in December of 2006 with pharyngeal cancer. I had a neck dissection and thirty five radiation treatments and chemo once…
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Thorasic specialist today
Hello everyone, Well I think I'm all ready for this appointment today. Took my own advice that I continually pass along on writing everything down. (reinforced by a good person on board here also) I put it into words for my new doctor so they understand where I'm coming from and where I intend to go on my coarse of…
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ball is rolling
Things are moving so quickly now. Last night David ran a 101.1 fever and we had a lot of activity in the room. Blood cultures, urine samples, chest xray. Then this morning we woke up to you need another blood transfusion. He is having that now. At 1 he has the bone marrow biopsy and starts the seven chemo drug regimen…
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First transfusion today
The nurse came in early this morning and told us David would probably have a transfusion today. His platelets are now 12 and his hemoglobin is 6.9. I have heard this should.do a lot for him. It also appears his system is becoming very acidic. I don't know what they will do about that. I am really hoping we still get to…
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What happens if treatment declined?
Hello, I'm writing about my 94 year old dad. SCC floor of mouth 2001. Surgical resection. NED until 1 year ago. Surgical resection 2nd time this past Jan. Cancer is back. Had CT/PET/ and met w/ H&N surgeon and rad oncologist. (Dad has COPD and is not a good candidate for more surgery AND he is leaning towards no radiation…
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TEP Speech
Okay; I'm posting this as new because there are so many postings on this I just can't wade through all of them. Paul (my boyfriend, recently used to be fiance) had a total laryngectomy in August of this year. That would be just over three months ago. He is doing really well...lots of energy, has his appetite back for the…
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Year Since Total Laryngectomy
Sunday November 18, is one year since my vocal cords were removed (a total laryngectomy). I thought I will mark the anniversary by posting some of the things I learned during the year. The operation and my week-long stay in the ICU was virtually pain free. I think a laryngectomy is harder on the caregiver than the patient.…
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granulation tissue at the G tube stoma
The stoma where the G tube is inserted started to develop granulation tissue a while ago, but this issue became significant just a few days ago. The tissue is forming now at a higher pace, it’s about the size of a pea and it’s very friable (bleeds easily). The reason for this is the increased friction, as the tube moves in…
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Scatterbrained
Hi everyone. I haven't been on for a while, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have a question that I have been afraid to ask because I'm afraid nobody else has experienced this and then I'll know for sure that I'm just crazy. I finished radiation in September of 2011 of left side of head and neck. I had my…
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I want good news
David has primary plasma cell leukemia. Over 40% of his white blood cells are cancerous. He is very anemic. The doctor said they bone in his hip has been significantly impacted. They are keeping him seven days and are starting a seven chemo drug regimen in the morning. No more treatment for head and neck. The doctor said…
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Must be the season for gift's
Last week I found out the beast is back at my door stop, it's not as bad as the first time but its there.Had B.O.T and lung cancer at stage four.Rad/chemo one year and two months has passed with clean P.E.P scans and now the scan shows activity on anterior tongue at 2cm and a value of 2.6.Yesterday M.R.I have not got…
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PET /CT versus Regular CT of H&N
Well I finally got the call a lot of you may have, after 3 PET/CT scans , the next was scheduled for Monday the 3rd, my insurance has deemed that thePET is not medically necessary for me, they will pay for a H&N CT only, and will only approve one of those every 4 months versus the PET/CT I was getting every 3. While my…
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Tomorrow we ring the bell
Well, tomorrow we ring the bell. We met with the oncologist today and the last Cisplatin was cancelled due to hearing issues and tinnitus. He received 2 out of 3 doses and if he received a third treatment it would be a decreased dose and dr explained that the decreased dose has not been shown to make much difference. He…
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back in the hospital
David has been having frequent nausea again and started vomiting tonight. We came to the ER they said he was pretty dehydrated. His creatinine level is up again. They have decided to admit him. Hopefully this will be a short stay.
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Sinus and nasal passage cancer - joint pain after completion of treatments
Background: Finished 3 chemo, and 35 radiation sessions. Remainder of tumour was removed a couple of months ago, and they're waiting for me to be cancer free for 3 or 4 months before inserting tubes in to my bottom tear ducts which were melted shut. In the last month, I have been hit with joint pain. If there's a joint,…
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Newby
Good evening, Hi, my husband of two years (although we are in our 50's) was just diagnosed with stage four tonsil cancer in October. He has had two surgeries in one day, one tonsil, one neck dissection and this coming week he.has his radiation planning session. The following week he begins 6.5 weeks of rad and chemos. This…
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Tired Of Fealing Bad
I had stage 4 tongue cancer in 2010 They replaced about 7/8 of my tongue with my thigh and all the tissue in my mouth from the tongue down. I also had a double neck dissection with cancer in 38 lymph nodes. I had cisplatin for chemo and radiation. I had 76 grey radiation. Now on to 2012 my jaw still hurts from radiation…
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Checking In
Hi all: No, I haven't forgotten y'all (would never do that!) It's such a balancing act working these days after not having worked for a while! Work is fine but busy, busy, busy. I still marvel at how Charlie did retail for 26 years and absolutely loved it! I've now decided that when the day comes for us to be reunited I…
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Throat pain
Sorry if this topic is repeated but i am having trouble finding info on managing sore throat pain. I even checked the HNC superthread. Maybe i overlooked it in there. The mouth pain has been somewhat manageable. I do not have a peg tube. Dr's did not recommend one because they want me to use my swallow muscles. Too lengthy…
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Stiffness & Tightness & Pulling Sensation - Post Surgery
Dear Forum Members, My dad was operated about two years back for head & neck cancer with radical neck dissection. He has been having consistent stiffness & pulling in the right side of the neck as there was reconstruction done of the muscles. I want to know if any other members or their family members are suffering from…
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Had lung biopsy today
What a way to start a day at 6:30 in the morning. Got to wear the "**** Gown" and this time when they gave me Demarol I didn't dance to the bathroom showing y butt like I literally did the last time. They had me under twilight which I really like bacause sometimes you can awaken and see what they are doing before they…
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question
What is it with this website. I swear I only hit the button once, but sometimes multiple posts are posted....is it me? Joan