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One month today
Hi all: Basketcase checking in! I'm home from the beach with my best friend. We had a great time and the weather was terrific. We got back this afternoon. It's been one month today since Charlie passed away. It is so hard being without him. All these well wishers telling me, "You'll get through this!" I know they mean well…
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Insurance
Hey Guys, Anyone know of a "good" insurance company that will actually offer insurance to someone going through cancer treatment. I have insurance now through Cobra since I was laid off last year but it is coming to an end and I need to have something in place to pay for my clean PET scans for the next few years. As I am…
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Picture of my dad
Hi guys, I just wanted to post so you could see the picture I took of my dad over the weekend. My mom and I think he looks pretty darn good for a 71 year old that just finished treatment 3 months ago. Kathy
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New Normal- kinda funny
First I want to thank everyone for help with the ENT issue, it has made my family feel a lot better. I have gotten a lesson in what the new normal means. My dad is very good at doing any type of home improvement. Last weekend I bought new porch lights for my house. Well, when we went to put of the light my dad could not…
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teeth
Just a note. Had another follow-up with my Onco today. Asked her if she knew of anything that could be done with my disintegrating teeth. No. We thought an Oral Surgeon might know something my regular Dentist doesn't, but not likely. So, she thinks I should drive out to the U of Iowa, as they would know if anything, like…
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Clinicla Trial ?
Just wondering if anyone else here enrolled in any clinical trials as far as H & N goes? I noticed that there were a few that also went to Universities for their treatment. Thanks Dave
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Funny little things we have learned to do...
Pumakitty's post about changing the light fixture made me think of starting this thread. I am including her story and my response as a start. The question is: What "funny little thing" have you learned or changed as a result of H&N cancer and treatment? Puma's story: I have gotten a lesson in what the new normal means. My…
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Home From Surgery
Much to our surprise, Bob was released from the hospital today, only six days post-op. Originally told 7-10 day hospital stay but docs say he is doing so well, they kicked him out. He came home with a trache, feeding tube, donor site skin graft (gross), rebuild wrist area with skin from donor site (thigh), and of course…
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cancer as a punishment I was told
hi all i hope all is well I just came from trying to go out to eat with some of my family members and the topic of my cancer of course comes up my aunt said she beleived that I did something wrong to make God give me cancer I was shocked and upset over this comment for I know this is not true she says it was a punishment…
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Skull Based Tumors
Skull Based Tumors are very rare. Skull Based Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma are very far and few between. Is there anybody else diagnosed with one of these out there?
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Blood Clots
Hi Guys, I have been getting blood clots in my arms since starting chemo with Cisplatin and Gemzar 2 months ago. For the most part they have just been uncomfortable and gone away shortly. I have started giving myself Lovenox shots twice daily to prevent future clots but have one really big one lingering at the bend in my…
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sleep depivation
The dry mouth has been keeping me up all night and i start staring at the walls. I feel like i can't get good rest at all. I am getting tired but can't really sleep. It's a pain in the butt. Any suggestions? James
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Yet another anaesthetic!
Hi there The "lump" has grown by 50% over the last two weeks. So today the med team made a decision to operate and remove Lymph gland which they said is at L3 level(what is L3 LEVEL) This will be in monday and then back to Erbitux. This has happened so quickly. What should she "boost eat" these four day before surgery?…
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Ginger ale
Have heard it helps with the nausea? Is it supposed to be instant relief or does it take several days of ingestion to feel the effects? Have given David about 1/2 cup yesterday and another 1/2 cup tonight through his peg and he said he feels no better! His peg is only nourishment he is getting at this point. We talked with…
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It's gone!!!! Finally got my PEG removed today!
Hi guys. Hope you are all doing ok. Haven't been by in a while. I have been doing a little better with my eating. Swallowing is still a challenge but I've not used my peg since July and my weight has been stable. I am still tiny. Like 96 pounds, but I have an actual appetite. I have been able to eat some good stuff. I live…
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Where in the World Are You ~ Locations of Residence
Just an idea mind you, but perhaps there would be interest in starting this topic of locations. Letting everyone know where you are located. Maybe even getting together for a lunch or even sitting in on a treatment for support if desired.... I know that Hondo and I have met and had dinner as I have with Illoozions whom…
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Anti- Angiogenesis
Hi All, This is a quite remarkable approach to treating cancer. This video link is well worth a watch. Note we can all start this with diet. "Can we eat to starve Cancer ?", Dr. William Li http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_li.html
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I would make a LOUSY cannibal!
What is up with this horrible bile taste in the back of my throat?! It's not acid reflux and is seriously NASTY! So I asked my doc this morning and he responded, "sucks, don't it? Yeah. You're tasting dead burned tissue combined with extra mucous as a result of the inflamation from the radiation. It's totally normal." OK.…
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rad onc - no LGlutamine or Amifostine or feeding tube recommended - your thoughts?
Hi, We met with the radiation oncologist today. A few things that she mentioned I would like to pass by here and get your thoughts on. No Amifostine: Sloan will not prescribe Amifostine any more. They say that the side affects and possible negative interaction with the treatment outweigh the benefits of small percentage of…
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Thick mucous
Does anyone have suggestions for thicking mucous. Have been doing mucinex D but doesn't seem to be helping as much! Know of anything else we could try? Terry
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any new treatments for dry mouth
I keep asking my doctors but no one really gives me any ideas. Anything new or something that is working for someone for dry mouth. I've been living with this for 10 years and I can't believe they can't find anything that works. Thanks
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pet Scan
Hi everyone, hope this is a good day for all. Just geeling really scared, as Tuesday is the Pet Scan, the more I read, the more I worry. My understanding is this scan shows them if cancer is anywhere else in the body..correct? They are doing it as they all believe that the sort of cancer I have on the voice box, which is…
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Conditions and Treatments?
I have NPC stage 3, they have treated me so far with 33 radiation, which is done and 4 chemo, 3 of which were concurrent with radiation. I have done 1 since radiation and they want to do 2 more. Is this extreme or are there others who have had the same treatments? Also i have read that the other chemo after radiation has…
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Conference in Amsterdam coming up on HPV cancers!!!!!!!!
Listen to web-site speakers on right! Will be interesting to see what studies come out over the next several years!!!!! http://www.thelancetconferences.com/hpv-and-cancer/index.html
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TASTE - MOUCOUS - JUST GROSS MOUTH
Hello all, hope you are having a nice weekend. I am 8 days into Radiation, and 6 days post first Cisplatin. Nausea is controlled and no fevers. Seems like every other day is a good or a best day. Food already is tasting bland and the texture of food I can tolerate seems to change by the day. My Oral regiment is to breush…
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After getting chemo...
Last week when I got my first bout of chemo the nurse told me she didn't reccomend I be around anyone who was sick after the first week b/c your white blood cell count is really low. She said she would go as far as avoiding restaurants, movie theatres, stores etc. I just want to know how many of you actually caught an…
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spasms on both side of jaws
Hi all I hope all is well I have a ? lately ive been having what feel like musle spasms in the back on both sides of the mouth like were the back teeth are it dose not hurt but feels very weired have any of you heard or experience this?
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Confused and Very Upset
Hey Guys, The ENT visit on Tuesday was horrible. I left the office in tears and stayed that way all day. The ENT wants to do major surgery on my dad, just to take biopsies. He wants to take 6-9 biopies and then do a scoope down his throat just to look around. When he had his scans on the 30th of August they were clear…
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Hallucinating one moment, totally fine the next
Spent all day yesterday at the ER with my dad. A couple of days ago he started seeing things, talking out of his head. We didn't get a real answer to why his was happening...maybe low sodium?! It was a frustrating day that ended with learning that the cancer in his neck was dying, but it reappeared in his jaw Everything…
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Best tip for chemo side effects
Hi Guys, Reading through each day I find real gems, often home remedies for managing the side effects of chemo and radiation. I thought it would be interesting to pile them all up and take a look at them together. Anything is welcome, no matter how bizarre or controversial. Here's mine for today: 1. Coffee Enemas: 32 oz.…