-
And then there was 4
A few weeks ago I posted 3 down 1 to go, well we saw the ENT today, and Im blessed to get an all clear by the ENT in our Team of Onc, Rad, and Ent. she did the say AHHH review and felt the neck for lymphs and the tube down the nose scope, some swelling but no cancer. I asked about a PET scan since I only had a CT scan and…
-
Does chemo alone kill the cancer cells?
Hey all..just a quick question if I may. Since I have seen on here and also read in the past that many times you can have radiation but not always in the same place or depending on the strength... Does chemo alone kill cancer cells / tumors? I would think it does / can ..and I know everybody is different ..but can you give…
-
Comedy and Courage
http://radiatedon.com/2010/07/17/sigh/ The link I posted above ^ is to a blog that filled me with a poignant mixture of laughter and empathy. It is written by a man with a gift for sharing his experiences (dx & tx for oral cancer) in ways that few have the writing talent to do as uniquely and amusingly. Given the dire…
-
Something diffferent...
I would listening to my mp3 player during chemo and found a number of songs that helped make me feel better, give me some hope, and perhaps bring my attitude up. I particularly enjoy movie soundtracks and instead of just listening to the music, I listened to more of the words and their meaning. From "The Preacher's Wife",…
-
Back from Hershey
Hi all, back from my appointment today with the thoracic surgeon (a professor no less) really nice man. He put on the video of the needle biopsy procedure to show me the nodule, the needle missed it on the first try, got it on the next. He said the biopsy was inconclusive as to what it was, said it still could be benign or…
-
rebuilding muscle mass & feeling my age
I've always been a pretty fit guy--avid hiker, ice skater/rollerblader, frisbee thrower... until the cancer beast robbed me of 40 lbs. and sapped my energy to get off my ****. I lost so much muscle mass (and fat), sitting on a hard chair hurt my bony butt. now that I've started to gain back some of the lost weight, it's…
-
PET Scan results
PET scan was negative :-) Finished tx mid-May. To those beginning or in the process of tx, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the goal...this much awaited phone call makes those tough days worth it. God is Good!
-
Still naseauted
Had cisplatin on Tue, been on my anti naseau meds, but still struggling with naseau today, is this radiation or chemo, making me sick, god I hate naseau ..... Tube feelings suck when you don't feel good. Jim
-
Concerning symptoms - request help getting ready for ENT appt
Hi all. I've been ready your board trying to better educate myself on my concerns about oral cancer in preparation for my ENT appt Tuesday. I am concerned about being blown off as I have been three times already when I went to my PCP for my symptoms. I could use some feedback on how to verbalize my concerns to my ENT and…
-
Is this ok
My husband received first cisplatin and radiation on Friday. Today he had some nausea so gave him compazine and earlier today gave him an Ativan for unreleived nausea. Long story short, he ate a little and basically has been sound asleep since 4pm and it's now 1030 at night. He literally has not even moved , that's how…
-
free tube feeding
I have the following supplies that I would like to donate to someone on tube feeding: Abbott Vital AF 1.2cal vanilla - 2 cases that are in date (Go to Abbott website to read about this product. It is very costly and was recommended for my husband, Andy from a friend who has worked for Abbott for 30 years.) Abbott 1000 ml…
-
Question about Radiation tx
Is there a maximum amount one can have in a lifetime? This was mentioned to us at our very first appointment with the ENT that diagnosed. Once the decision was made to go to our U of M hospital and we were assigned to an new ENT, there was no discussion about this..nor with the Radiaologist or Oncologist. Does anyone have…
-
Clear Scans / NED
Hi All Just wanted to let you all know some good news. I had my 6 monthly MRI scan results today following my mucoepidermoid carcinoma and the results were NED. Bit of fluid, polyps in sinuses that were present on previous scan which were of interest had gone, tiny nodes in both parotids of no concern, see you again in 3…
-
Insurance Co denied 6 month PET / Any suggestions?
Hey all ...looking for some ammo here (and opinions if anyone thinks it's fair or not fair, I want to be sure I am being reasonable). Here's my history in a nutshell. Oct 20, 2011 of head and chest reveals mass at base of tongue with mets to one lymph node Nov 6, 2011 biopsy on tongue, confirms SCC HPV+ Nov 16, 2011 PET…
-
The Beginning
I recently found out that I have squamous cell cancer of the tonsil and in one lymph node on the left side. The tonsil has been removed. I met with my radiation Dr for the 1st time today. We plan to start the 7 week treatment plan plus 3 sessions of chemo beginning the end of October. I have been reading all of the posts…
-
lovinox
Don't think it is really "legal" to offer medical supplies but, my husband died and I have 30 syringes of lovinox that I would be happy to send anyone who is on this blood thinner for blood clots. Just private message me. Robinleigh
-
My Tx Updates
Hi Gang. Well, I received my 1st round of chemo on Oct. 1st. I went in that Monday and got a cocktail of Cisplatin and Taxotere. This was administered thru IV for a period of about 5 hrs or so. They then hooked me to a pump filled with 5FU and wore that till Friday when they finally took this poison out and thought…
-
Major ringing in my ears
Hey all, Well week 2 is down with daily radiation, and 1 dose of erbittex, on tuesday the 2nd, and one high dose of cispltatin, Tuesday the 9th. I am on a variety of anti naseau and antidepressants, as well as stool softeners and occasional sleeping pill. I noticed this week that I am having severe ringing in my ears and…
-
Dave is C free
Haven't been on in a while. Glad to see some old friends still here. My husband is cancer free for over a year now. He finally started eating orally again. It took him having Hyperbaric treatments to clear the over growth on his tongue before he could get his feeding tube removed. The growth was making any thing he tried…
-
Off the subject but relevant
Hey everyone ! It's a beautiful day today. I have time yet to collect some pretty leaves and get them pressed in wax paper. I wanted to wish each and everyone of you a wonderful weekend ! I believe we need to take time away from our worries and dx's once in awhile to just be us. So whatever it is that takes you to a place…
-
Time to Appeal a Denial
I posted the following message to Senator Tom Harkin (chair) and Senator Patty Murry (member from WA) of the committee that oversees Medicare. If you agree with me, please send a post in support. Webpage for Senator Harkin: http://www.harkin.senate.gov/ Please use your influence to extend the time patients have to appeal…
-
Getting a plan
Hey guys, I go back in again this thursday for a PET and MRI with contrast. I am so impressed with my team of doctors and that they actually are so upbeat and willing to attack this demon lurking in my body. I have a tumor board...working together for me. Some may say, yeah why didn't you have this in the beginning ? Can't…
-
So So PET scan results - update
I saw my radiation oncologist yesterday, the one who relayed the 'good' news about a good scan but with a spot that lit up. Long story short is that they are not sure what it may be. It could be simply calcified scar tissue, latent disease that is so damaged that it can't divide, or a slumbering beast waiting to wake up,…
-
Biopsy results
Got the call from my oncologist in Hershey today with the results of the biopsy I had last Tuesday. He said the biopsy came back as inconclusive. He said he did not believe it was from my larynx and, in fact does not know if it is a cancer. Ground glass opacity nodules can do this. He said we can wait and do another scan…
-
I am not a text book case!
Hello friends! How have you all been? I have been doing really good. My ENT sent me to an Oncologist just because I am not the normal person they see with tongue cancer. I have never drank or smoked, I am not HPV positive, and I am 35 years old. He wanted him to be able to have it written down for studies. Oncologist then…
-
what a day !
well I just thought I would post, today was my birthday (47) and as I might of mentioned before I go to a Tiki bar on the beach on a Sunday afternoon every week (recharges the batteries). Well today when I got there unbeknown to me my wife had a suprise party all lined up. Family and friends all shown up and a good day was…
-
Need Tips....Treatment started yesterday..
Hi everyone! Well, yesterday was the start of treatment. Although I've done plenty of research on the cancer...now, as a caregiver, I need some help staying ahead as much as possible to the side effects and taking some preventative measures (if there are any)to treatment. Special thanks to Skiffin16(John)in being my email…
-
Cough
Hey friends! I finished 30 Rad treatments mid June, so I'm almost 4 months out. I have healed really well and I had a clean MRI and chest x-ray at the end of August. I've had a nagging cough for a while now...I've been trying to remember when it started but I think it's possible that I've had it since radiation. It feels…
-
treatment plan finalized
First I want to thank everyone who has been so encouraging to David and I through the surgeries up to this point. I also wanted to update everyone on the pregnancy. Unfortunately I had a miscarriage Friday morning. It has been a long hard weekend for me to say the least. Today we went to see the radiation oncologist and as…
-
Pet or CT???
Just wondering what the difference is between a PET or a CT w/contrast? I've always had a CT with contrast and never had a PET. My CA was vocal cord and seems like most of you are BOT so wonder which is the more comprehensive or why the difference, if anyone knows?? Should I ask for a PET scan?