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Jaw Problems
Does anyone know if after having radiation and chemo for cancer of the larynx, you can get jaw problems. Today as I was eating my jaw starting cracking and feeling very uncomfortable. It happened again when I was having lunch. Has anyone heard of this? What is the treatment? I've had alot of side effects, but this one is a…
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Scans, radiation, recovery, posting
Hey guys, It's been awhile though I've popped in a couple times to see how everyone was doing. I've missed you guys. My first PET since treatment came back with a hot spot on my left hip. Thought/hoped it was just inflammation from a crazy mountain bike ride I did the day before. MRI showed it was actually bone mets. Damn!…
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Since Cancer what changed in your Life
Hi Everyone I borrowed this from another post, I added somethings and changed a few other to show Since Cancer what changes have taking place in like of people with Cancer. Please feel free to add to the list of Since Cancer what changed in your Life Since cancer, I'm in the best health of my adult life. Since cancer, I…
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Cancer numbers and letters
I am seeing my docs next month but in the meantime wondered if any of you knew what these letters and numbers mean? My diagnosis was cT4aN2bM0 (Stage IVa) Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the left base of tongue. Thanks in advance Peace, Nancy aka toughcookie
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Phlegm
I am currently being treated for cancer of the vocal cord. I have completed 27 out of 35 radiation treatments. A couple nights ago I began waking up in the middle of the night and with a very slight cough would bring up large amounts of phlegm. I have seen several posts here talking about excessive phlegm. Is this what…
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New
Hi everyone. I was recently diagnosed with SCC of my left vocal cord. Doctors stated it was early stage and the only treatment needed was radiation. So far I have completed 24 of 35 radiation treatments and have a few side effects: voice is down to a whisper sore throat and some difficulty swallowing. Not too too bad I…
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Dun Dun Dun!!!! Well it's almost time to head out for the Needle Biopsy results.
A little on the nervous side. I will be leaving work in about an hour to head downtown. I sure hope he does not need surgery. He was really hyper last night. He was not scared of chemo and radiation, but he is not crazy about having someone cutting on his tongue. Pray for us. Will update later today or tomorrow.
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Just Cheking In
Hi to all my friends! Just had to stop by and thank everyone who helped me along. 17 months now and I am doing great! The new me is O.K. but I am not who I used to be physically. But I am here and so happy to have had all of you as friends. Still getting clear scans so here's to life!
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Not good news at all
Dad got his results yesterday and they were not good. The cancer has come back in his tongue and lympe node. He is going Friday to meet with the surgeon about having the minor neck surgery to remove the node. This will stop most of the pain he is experiencing. His other options are to have the surgery to remove his whole…
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Scans
Off to Penn State hershey tomorrow for a scheduled PET, however don;t know what the scans will consist of due to kidneys. Results Monday with the RAD Onc and a visit to the ENT for a Videostrobe. Getting nervous, as we all do at this time. I feel fine, little depressed maybe. No carbohydrates and tons of water. have to be…
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Rude Awaking
As my husband called it, he had a rude awakening this weekend. My husband attempted to help a friend and did a side job, replacing drywall. When he got home Sunday evening, he was aching to the core and took a shower and went to bed. Monday morning rolled around and he was soooo sick, he vomitted all day and was bed bound.…
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side effect improvement 1 year post treatment
Quick background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the Nasopharynx, Treatment started with the removal of 8 Lymph nodes in the neck, 5 weeks of radiation and 5 weeks of Cisplatin, then 3 months of 5Fu. October will be 1 year since my last treatment. I'm curious if anybody who had similar treatment had improvements with their…
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Another NED
I just had my year and a half ( almost ) exam and my Dr. said everything looks good. This was my first appt after switching to every 3 mos instead of every 6 weeks. After waiting 3 months I was jonesing to get in there and get checked out. The scope was a little more uncomfortable than usual because my doc was having a new…
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Help! Buzz is having fainting espisodes
Buzz has had 3 fainting episodes. With the first one, he fell and hit his head. Called 911 and he went to the hospital. We were told it was a vagal reaction. Went home. Had another episode on Saturday. He looked awful and his b/p was initially undetectable. When he did not improve, I called 911 again. Another ER visit.…
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Ulnar nerve
Anyone have a confirmed problem with an Ulnar nerve that can be linked to the H&N rads? I have a pre-C history with such a problem, as a Neurosurgeon confirmed some 10-years ago, No Op was done due to previous Ops on my throat, and the scarring, etc. Over the course of months to follow the problem faded away, in terms of…
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"Choosing an Imaging Test"
In the Fall issue of CURE magazine. (free to us cancer folk) This question comes up a lot and this article provides good insight. Choosing an Imaging Test
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Apart From the Side Effects of Radiation Post
I post this separately as I'm not sure if this is from radiation, chemo, or neither. I am two and a half years post treatment from SCC of tonsil and neck and really have but one complaint. Like many of you I still have a lack of saliva and some tooth decay but my most serious complication is a lack of sleep. I can honestly…
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Needle biopsy tomorrow
Well the day has come and we will be going for my hubbys needle biopsy tomorrow. Does anyone know if they test some samples right then?
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BOT / Neck Dissection surgery
First off, I want to send my heartfelt thanks to all who post on this board. While I have never posted before, I've visited often during my journey w/head and neck cancer and all the advice and knowledge presented here has been spot on and heartfelt. Here I found honest answers that doctors seem to try and gloss over.…
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Erbitox
Saw the oncologist today. He wants to do three infusions of Erbitox one week apart because Jim could not withstand the third chemo. Has anyone taken this drug and what side effects did you experience. He gave us a drug facts sheet that has some scary side effects listed but said most people only get the rash. Any help on…
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Eight Year Survivor - Can I answer questions for ANYONE?
I have been out of treatments for 8 and 1/2 years from state 4 head & neck cancer. I went through Chemo-Radiation-Surgery-Staph Infection. Even after 8 years my throat is still getting better and my silva glands continue to get better as well. I am one of the VERY FEW who DID NOT have a feeding tube. It would be my…
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Buzz's cancer is back. What to do?
Buzz's base of tongue cancer has spread to his left neck only 9 months after the end of treatment. We suspected this for some time as the previous 2 scans showed activity in the right neck and tongue. The cancer is not curable but treatable. Our options are limited. The only chemo our oncologist can offer is more of the…
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What is new mixed groundglass & mild FDG uptake?
These were words used by the Rad/Ocologist report of my latest PET-CT. He doesn't want to see me until January when we will do another PET-CT. Under the section Tumor Status he states NED. New words/terms that I'm hoping someone can share their knowledge before I email him for a explanation. Thanks & Well Wishes Ed
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guess what i ate?
Just have to share this with people who will understand how exciting it is......i ate a whopper! it took me a while and a lot of water but i ate it! it tasted so good id have eaten two if it would have fit in my belly. Just a little past four months since treatment. What a difference the littlest things can make! Hope…
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Ideas for column?
I work as a receptionist at a small newspaper here in Ohio. I had a chat with our editor on Friday and he is going to perhaps let me write a column about my cancer journey. He wants me to give him a rough idea of where I want to take it. My thoughts were before diagnosis ( I was misdiagnosed for months), after diagnosis…
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Need prayers - update
My mother was had a PET 6 months ago of the chest for possible lung cancer. Came back suspicious with a bright mass in both lungs. She refuses the biopsy as she says she is too old for treatment and she is afraid. She is 80. Now she is hospitalized with pancreatitis. GI says they want to do a scope to check for gallstone…
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newly diagnosed adenoid cystic carcinoma
I am 23 years old and was recently diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (left parotid gland) less than a month ago. I had a parotidectomy and will soon begin radiation treatment for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. I am not sure what side effects to expect, and the doctor believes I won't be effected much, but I have read about…
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Tired?
Good morning everyone. Quick question. I just finished a round of cisplatin and 5fu and I am just so tired. I have been wanting to sleep for the last three days. Is this to be expected or should I be a little concerned? I can get up and do a few things like eat and shower but then become so drained. I am hoping this…
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Wow - Does THIS Explain Our Food Network Addictions?
Just read a blurb about Roger Ebert - famous film critic and H&N survivor (didn't realize Siskel died of brain cancer). He talks of obsession with foodin the hospial (when he could no longer eat), especially root beer. His wife says, turns out he was not getting enough nutrition in his tube, and the food fantasies were his…
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Glutamine thanks
It may be psychosomatic but I feel the Glutamine mouth wash is very effective. Reading up on it I see the logic of why it works,although when it dries in your mouth it leaves it all white good for a fright LOL. Got ahead of myself beginning of last week thought I only had a week and a half to go but as of Monday I still…