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Head and Neck Cancer

In the NED club
Met with my radiation oncologist this morning, one week after post-radiation PET scan. NED! Now I can relax and let the healing progress at its own (slow) pace.
CLEAN CT SCAN OF NECK AND THROAT SCOPE
Not quite a happy dance yet, that will not take place until Feb. 24th when I get my first PET Scan. My ENT Doc. was thrilled with the CT Scan of my neck this morning. He said there is absolutely nothing on the scan to be concerned with. He also scoped me and everything looks great. He did say I am still very swollen in the…
Post Surgery PET & MRI Wednesday
Please say a prayer, howl at the moon, or whatever you do - for my husband on Wednesday afternoon. He is having his 3 months post surgery pet and mri, after surgery for hypopharyngeal recurrence cancer (had chemo/rads @ first occurrence). If nothing shows on pet, will not have to have chemo or more rads. You are all so…
Who out there understands SUV (Standardized Uptake Value)?
I met with my ENT/Surgeon today to discuss my 3 month PET-CT Scan and he is concerned with the SUV level on the scan which was 2.7 (the higher the number the more likely that the area of activity is cancer). Anyone out there understand the SUV? I have three options at this point: 1. Wait and repeat the PET-CT Scan. ENT…
NOT so clean PET/CT Scan. Anyone out there with a similar experience
I just got the results of my 3 month PET-CT Scan following SCC @ BOT with one lymph node on the same side involved and it showed residual activity in the lymph node which measures 0.4 (it was previously 1.2 cm). The tumor at the base of the tongue is gone. Radiation oncologist is not concerned (I am!) and believes that…
WGM Stage4 Tongue, base of mouth
Hello, my name is Bill and my mother (WCG=World's Greatest Mom!!) was recently diagnosed with stage 4 tongue and base of mouth cancer. Lymph nodes look like they might not be affected but not 100% sure of this. Our first DR. took a week for this, a week for that and time is passing which has me stressed. We waited a week…
advice needed - we were given chemo options
Hi everyone, Dad met with the oncologist today to discuss chemo. To our surprise, they gave him 3 options. 1)standard radiation and 3 cisplatin tretments (std care) 2) radiation and cisplatin weekly which i guess is a lower dose and 3) induction chemo of taxotere-5FU-cisplatin. She said the induction is very hard on…
I don't know what to do...
My boyfriend was diagnosed nearly a year ago with laryngeal cancer. I met him in the summer, and only found out about him being sick in October. He simply didn't do much about it since his initial diagnosis. He had one biopsy done but he doesn't have health insurance because he's self-employed (however, the cost of…
Need clarification, please. 'in remission' vs. NED
Ok. I have a couple questions that I would like to have answers for, if you've got them. Glenna's post on Mick's thread was making me finally ask. Can some one give me the idiots guide breakdown of NED vs. 'in remission'? I never had a follow up PET or anything. No one has ever really said, go forth! Your cured! Lol. I…
ear ringing
Anything to help with the ringing in the ears? Brad
Estim Swallowing Treatment Research
People who get radiation therapy for head and neck cancer often experience trouble eating and swallowing. During radiation treatment, and up to 3 months after treatment, eating difficulty usually occurs because the radiation "burns" the tissues in the mouth and/or throat which can be extremely painful. After 3 months after…
Goodbye to my taste buds.....
Goodbye to my taste buds.....alas they are leaving. It happened so suddenly, I am 10 days into rads I thought maybe just maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones. I even prayed for it, though I know it is selfish. I was eating my usual foods when I realized that I had an extremely sour taste at the back of my throat. I tried to…
Fast Food Medicine
I’m going to see my new medical oncologist in January. My original doc’s treatment center didn’t have their contract renewed with my group insurance provider. I’ll miss my old doc because he listened to what I said, didn’t seem in a hurry to get to his next patient, and wasn’t professionally defensive. A year from…
update and an annoyance
Hi folks. 3 days out of the second esophageal dilation and things are good. I am swallowing a little better than before and will know more in a few days once the sores from the procedure heal and I can take this throat out for a real test drive. I'll keep you posted. However, it looks like I'll be keeping that date with Dr…
Apologies
Hi everyone, I am sorry for not responding to so many of your posts. I am just not able to sit down at my computer any more. Please know this, I think the world of all of you who helped me through all this and am glad to call you my FRIENDS. Went for a CT last Tuesday and go to see the ENT next Tuesday. The tech said that…
Almost Lost My Husband Today
Every day with cancer is an adventure. Found out the latest CT scan showed cancer popping up in various places in his abdomen, neck of his pancreas, chest wall and there were more lung nodules. All these were small. That was the good part of the doctor visit. Today my husband was supposed to start his Erbitux treatments.…
Integrative Medicine -
Hi there Im prompted by the "nausia and ginger post" : " my doctors and nurses and they advised me to stay away from herbal and vitamin supplements as they may interfere with treatment drugs, etc.." Does anyone know of a hospital where the integrative medicine unit/center(complementary medicine) is ACTUALLY integrated with…
Easy to Swallow CookBook from a head and neck cancer patient
Although I haven't seen the book personally, I saw this article and thought it may be helpful to those who are experiencing eating difficulties. Every little bit helps when your dealing with the dreadful side effects of treatment. http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/3418--Oral-health-Celebrity-cookbook-legacy-wins-award#
Post-treatment Feeding
I was going to post this on the caregivers list, but it is really H&N specific. Doug is now 3 days post-treatment - he skipped the g-tube, as he could eat reasonably well until the 2nd chemo, which kicked the crap out of him. He lost 35 of his 175 pounds and so now we are trying to build it back. He can drink thin…
WHAT CAUSES THE COLD AND CLAMMY SWEATS AND A CONSTANT SENSE OF BEING COLD
My wife is convinced two things are happening with me. 1) I have been on Fentanyl Patch 150 Mics since mid August. The Patches are to be changed every 3 days. I have on occasion changed them late, and at the same time was expeiencing the "cold clammy sweats" and a geneal feeling of not being able to get warm. 2) Since I…
Worste headache ever
I finishid my first round of chemo yesterday, taxatir cyclplatin and 5fu and I have the worste headache of my life. I cant even spell now. This chemo is alot harder than the last I did, carboplatin Brad
All i can do is gasp
Decided to make this a separate one time posting. All i can do is gasp in awe at how you all got through the H&N, RT hell. I understand that coupled with the rads itself, is surviving the rad effects as time goes on.In any case,it is a celebration , for want of a much better word, that this is behind you all and you can…
Saliva production
This past summer I happened to visit my uncle, who had gone through Tonsil Cancer about 15 years ago. He was a tremendous resource and supporter during my treatment phase, and I asked him how he deals with dry mouth. He went to his medicine cabinet and took out a bottle of very small pills called "Pilocar". He takes one a…
questions about getting sick during winter?
Hi Guys I just want to know if you get a cold or sick during winter is it going to be harder to fight off the cold or the sickness after you finishing treatments about 5 months ago. Any good advice to fight this cold because I am scared that its going to lead back in to same symptoms that lead to my cancer. Any advice…
-HONDO what supplements are you taking?
hello, hondo first of all congrats on beating the cancer 3 times! that is amazing, and i myself believe that the power of prayer is great! my dad was diagnosed with stage iv floor of mouth cancer, which did move to the tongue and one lymhnode.. in march of this year he did that very aggressive chemo/rad treatment.. august…
To Pam
Hi Pam, I am sorry your PET results did not come back as good as you had hoped. I was wondering why you hadn't posted the results, because I know you had your CT about the same time Pat had his PET. I was very worried and checked often for your results. I wanted to ask you, but figured that if you wanted to tell us, you…
"Sing a song with a friend, change the shape that I'm in, and get back in the game"
(Blaze Foley reference) Not sure this is the place to post this, since it is largely lung cancer-related, but it does have to do with the head/neck stuff as well, ultimately. Today I visited Chemo Palace, where OncoMan resides along with his bevy of needle stabbers and chemo pushers. I was, for whatever reason, not…
My mouth is so dry
How dry is it? It's so dry that...... I sneezed earlier and sand sprayed everywhere. I was looking at the sores in my mouth and saw an oasis but it turned out to be a mirage. I went to brush my teeth and a dead camel fell out. I got a piece of water stuck between my teeth. I've been using it at night to make beef jerky and…
I think I peed my pants..........
On no, it was just another CT scan. Also did the eeeeeeeeee and had few other acts of torture performed on me. But at 8 months all is still clear. I did have something come up a few weeks ago though that I hadn't heard of before. There was a very rough spot along the inside of my gumline that was irritating my tongue, in…
Meet NED today
Davids pet came back NED and I couldn't be happier. Oh what a relief, God is so good... This news will make for a very happy holiday season for us and the family. Praise GOD!!

Head and Neck Cancer

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