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Head and Neck Cancer

Boost - no not the supplement
At the end of my nightly rad treatment today, the tech said they will be doing a boost, she explained that I will have a CT scan next tues, she explained they plan to reduce the area of treatment on my neck, however the rad dosage remains the same. Additionaly the mask will be evaluated for fit, it's still as tight as it…
One more session of Cisplatin? Maybe not?
So I'm a little confused. My rad onco wants me to do the last chemo, no regrets later he puts it. My chemo onco trumps him saying the Cisplatin is very hard on me, I suffered uncontrollable hiccups and nausea with the first session despite a slew of drugs, lost weight not eating for 3 days. The second session, my counts…
Scans Day, Saturday
So I had my three-month PET/CT scans today. They were supposed to be yesterday, but the machines at Georgetown were down, so I went instead today. I have appointments scheduled to discuss the scans, so I wanted to get them over. Like everybody, I'll always be apprehensive about getting those scans. The first time, they…
Dry skin?
My whole body is shedding like a snake, dry small flakes, like dandruff is coming off everywhere. With my new stomach tube, I am afraid of getting it infected again, so I only shower 2x/week. I use a transparent waterproof bandage to cover it when I do. The other days I'll sponge bath. I don't think I'm dehydrated, my…
Saunas Baths
Just wondering if any one does Saunas Baths and what do you think about them? While I was in Honduras I was doing a Sauna Bath once every week and I was feeling really good and my skin was very clean. I am thinking about getting one but just not sure what type to get, any help on what type is the best to buy. Thanks Hondo
Connie is doing very well!
Hello Everyone, Just thought I would check in and let you know that Connie is doing great! She had a clean CT scan last week and also did a barrium swallow test and did so well the doctor told her their was no need to see her speech therapist anymore. She is trying to go without tube feeding at this time and see if she can…
Nausea
After my first two rad treatments I became nauseated. I have been nauseated for the last five days. It's an all day thing and I don't want to eat because it makes the nausea worse. The Radiation Doc said it could not be caused from the radiation - must be something else. Did any of you have nausea as a side effect so early…
Tinny Taste
Has anyone expierenced a tinny or metalic taste in their mouth? I get a weekly carboplatin infusion and have finished 21 of 39 rad treatments so far. I get this taste without eating or drinking anything. Linda
newly diagnosed thorat cancer - hypotharthnyx 2nd primary
I am absolultely devastated. I have just been diagnosed with throat cancer. I just found out with the mri that I won't be needing chem but starting Thurs. 30 radiation treatments. Sept. 13 I was doing my 5 yr. happy dance after surviving advanced esophageal cancer. I have had my espophagus removed and consequently only…
THE ESSENTIAL TREATMENT KIT FOR HNC PATIENTS.
This was an idea and thread started by adventurebob last year some time. These are all items we compiled as things we found we really needed to help us get through treatment. Obviously, no one needs everything, but I know I used a lot of stuff off this list. So perhaps if you are just starting treatment, or know some one…
Receding gums.
Anyone know if radiation causes this issue or makes it worse? Or can all this brushing I do make it hard on my gums? Those that use the water pic thingie, does it hurt? Would that be better for my gums?
Pain at tumor site 3 weeks post rad normal?
Hi all, I'm new to this board. I'm 27 and was diagnosed with stage IV tongue cancer back in april of this year. It is in both the base and oral parts of my tongue, mostly on the right side, but also dips into the left far enough that if I have surgery we're talking total glossectomy. I've been through 3 rounds of chemo…
LHERMITTE'S AS A SIDE EFFECT OF TREATMENT
I noticed that I started to feel the signs of Lhermitte's coming on last February while on a trip in San Antonio. I was taking a brisk walk when I looked down for some reason and felt the "electrical shock sensation." I am 13 months post treatment and still have this side effect. I am looking for feedback from people who…
How do they decide on neck dissection post chemorad? Most who had it have side effects?
Been reading people's experiences with their neck dissections and it doesn't sound so easy. Do most people have side effects and long term symptoms from their neck dissections? Primarily, how do they exactly decide if you need one after you're done with chemorad treatments? (I am left tonsil SCC, left lymph involvement.…
RayTodd
Has anyone heard from are friend down under? Last I heard he had gotten out of the hospital and was feeling poorly.
Are these from Swallowing Issues?? Or dilation??
For anyone whose had esophageal dilation - Have you experienced food and liquid running out of your nose???? This just started today. Everything my husband Louis is eating or drinking is now running out of his nose. This is so ironic since we saw his ENT yesterday and she is now suggesting a GTube, which he WAS resisting.…
Does activity on the petscan always mean the cancer is back?
My mom had HP+ BOT cancer that had spread to lymph nodes in both sides of her neck. She had 35 rad treatments with 3 cisplatin. The first petscan post treatment showed NED. However, yesterday she had her second Petscan and it showed activity at the site of the original tongue tumor and two small lymph nodes in the thoracic…
difficulty swallowing after radiation for throat cancer
I am looking for anyone who has experience in this area.My husband was diagnosed on July 1,2009. He finished chemo & radiation Sept.10 and is still unable to swallow. He still has very thick mucous that he has to spit out & this keeps him awake most of the night. There is also still alot of blood coughed up. Has been tube…
Cat scan tomorrow-Base of tongue cancer
Hello everyone. Gee it is hard. Tomorrow is the CAT scan to find out if my partner's cancer has spread or not. It is scary but we have to remain strong I know. She was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer on the 21st of October. They removed the tumor a couple of weeks before that and the results came back that it is…
Gabapentin for post dissection symptoms
For all of you out there who have ongoing tightness, stinging, or aching in the area of the neck from partial or impartial neck dissections, I've been on gabapentin long enough now to see how it's working for me. For me it's been very helpful. As I've said before, the left side of my neck was ever present. The stiffness,…
fentanyl patch, only, for pain?
I did not get such a patch, but know someone with C who does have one, and is also taking additional (unknown, as yet) med(s) for their pain. Is it anyone's experience to take other pain meds while having the patch? And, if so, what other med(s) were being taken at the same time? Again, I did not use said patch, so I plead…
Lingering Sore Throat
This Friday I will be 4 weeks post rads. I still have a sore throat on the side that received the most radiation. In fact at times I think it may even be a set back since it burns when I swallow anything except water. When I went to my ent last week he said he was a little surprised that my throat was still so raw looking.…
Desperately need feedback for Post Cancer issues
My husband Louis had his last chemo/radiation treatments in 9/07 for left tonsil cancer. 25 chemo/47 radiation. He seemed to be doing really well and was able to return to his construction job until 11/09. He experienced numbness in his left hand that compromised his work so much he had to retire early. In this last year…
about a year ago....
It was the tuesday after thanksgiving last year that i got the news i had cancer. I have dreaded this day over the last few weeks. The memories of that moment and the year to follow. Waking up this morning i realized i have a choice to make. I can sit around and feel sorry for myself or i can take this day and be grateful…
11/35 rads left, is it a cold or how I'm suppose to feel?
I've been very lucky and haven't developed mucositis or swallowing issues yet, however, I feel like I have a chronic cold. I did catch one just prior to leaving the hospital over a week ago. My nose gets dry, stuffed up sometimes and goes away, I often cough at night, my throat is little sore and although my mouth doesn't…
"I woke up Sunday mornin' with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt"
(Kris Kristofferson reference) This much is true: Friday morning, while continuing to wear a sling I was told I could remove, a move I still find odd, I was kicking the old soccer ball around in the front yard with a 3-year old child, something I considered extremely safe until the competitive juices kicked into gear as he…
High Scanxiety
Well, tomorrow is the big day. I have to go into the cancer center for a CT scan to see if the chemo that I have been on for about 3 months now is doing any good. I am stage 4 and this is not expected to cure me, but my wife and I are in high hopes that this has slowed down the growth of these little nasties. I have to…
mastasized stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma tumor in the right maxillary sinus
My brother told me on the phone Monday, Nov 7th, 2010 he has quit recently been diagnose with sinus cancer. I quietly said I had to get off the phone and hung up, I cried for many hours. I finally got up enough guts to call him on tuesday, he said, his worst fear was that I wouldn't call him back....OMG you guys I am so…
Husband has cancer. 1st surgery was Nov.3
Oh my. well my husband was diagnosed the middle of sept. He had a neck dissection and skin/vein graft from his wrist for his inside cheek and a graft from his leg to cover the arm. It all went very well, we spent 8 days in the hospital and then came home. We didnt make it to his first check up, he got an infection in his…
Having some success
I'm 11 weeks post op from my neck dissection and I'm starting to have some success and freedom from the pain in my trapezius muscle. I noticed that the past 2 mornings I was actually able to pull a shirt over my head without it taking 5 minutes. So my rotator cuff and shoulder blade have relaxed enough that they are…

Head and Neck Cancer

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