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Confirmed Diagnosis
Well as of yesterday, I have definitely been diagnosed with the BIG-C. The DR. believes I have HPV related Squamous Cell Carcinoma(is that spelled right?)in my head/neck. He feels that I may have caught it early, I hope. I have a PET next week and a neck disection for the following week. Radiation/chemo to top it off. When…
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Radiation
Hello All, My 46 year old brother just had surgery to have cancer removed from his face. They removed the cancer entirely. He does not have to do any kemo. The radiologist does however want him to do radiation therapy(6 weeks of radiation)they are afraid that it will come back if he does not do the therapy. The side…
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Did you feel the tumor?
For those of you who had tumors in he nasal area - did you actually feel it like a blockage? The one my husband had been operated on he did feel it and actually if you looked up his nose you could see the fleshy matter. It was operated on and removed, but now he feels it coming back again....a quick biopsy confirmed the…
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My husband is half way done with radiation treatments
My husband has had 18 radiation treatments and 17 left. So far is is doing remarkable, I think. I know he might not think so since he is going through all this. And he has only 4 more Erbetux treatments......hurray!!! I just hope he can continue to eat. There is always the blender we can use too when necessary. The doctors…
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Will my husband become sterile from chemo/radiation treatments?
I am curious if this happens after the first chemo treatment or if this happens gradually after numerous treatments. Does it happen to everyone? We are done having children, but I am just curious.
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Is there anyone here where radiation didn't work???
My husband began radiation this last week -- 2 sessions a day for 5 days (plus chemo) and the tumor appears to be GROWING not shrinking!!!! Anyone else ever deal with this adn if so then what did the docs do???
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EAR PAIN
I FINISHED 33 RADIATION TREATMENTS TO THE TUMOR ON MY VOCAL CORD ON MARCH 31- THE EAR PAIN IS STILL AWFUL - DR SAID IT WAS REFERRED PAIN FROM MY THROAT- BUT ALMOST 4 MONTHS AND MY VOICE HAS NOT RETURNED- HAVE SOME THROAT PAIN AND THE EAR PAIN MOST OF THE TIME- ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCE THIS
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realistic expectations
I am just about to start radiation treatments for supragalotic cancer. I am not sure how many weeks of treatment but around 6. I teach at a university and am trying to plan around the treatments and side affects. I can either take the whole semester off or continue teaching but make arrangements for a few weeks of my…
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Finally got surgery date
We finally set a surgery date for my father next Wednesday at Cedars Sinai with the chief of Head and Neck surgery; however, even though we're happy that we finally got a date to get the tumor removed, the surgeon clearly warned us that he knows that the tumor will come back but doesn't know how long it will take (anywhere…
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Thanks for words of wisdom
I really appreciate your comments re my uncertainty of what my symptoms are from. I will try to not to stress too much although it's difficult to forget when you swallow every few seconds and always feel a lump sensation. Your kindness and info on this site is so inspiring. I will let you know how things go. Thanks again.…
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9 month check up- ENB
I am leaving on Sunday to go back to MDAnderson for my 9 month checkup. Im nervous, but confident it will be just fine. I find it comforting to type this for some reason.
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PEG Tube use and care 101
FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT, if your Docs want you to have a PEG placed DO IT and do it early on. If you wait until it is critically needed your health and soreness may be an issue. So, put it in with the goal of never using it but the comfort of knowing it is there if you do need it. I have been asked for tips on the use and…
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how long after tx. can you eat again?
My husband is 2 weeks tomorrow post 7 wks rad and 2 rounds of chemo. Had primary at base of tongue very small and one lymph node (the one that enlarged on side of neck and took him to the dr. initially.)He has been using the peg tube solely for about 5 wks. My question is how long is normal for him not to be able to eat or…
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Has anyone had squamous cell of the middle ear?
This is pretty rare and it's been a lonely journey. Hoping to find another survivor to share experiences with.
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This is It !!!!!!!
Hey Everyone, Got my PEG tube Mon. Got my second dose of Erbitux yesterday and had mapping done today. So tomorrow is it. "First round of radiation." Will be getting Amifostine shot before each treatment, so will be taking Benedryll and Compozine an hr. before the shot. Only 33 Rad treatments to go !!!! Wish me luck, I'll…
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Talking and eating
I was diagnosed in Feb. with throat cancer. I underwent 7 weeks of radiation(31 sessions)and 7 chemo sessions once a week. I decided against the feeding tube and have been able to swallow throughout the treatments. I am 7 weeks past my last radiation treatment, the mucous has subsided, I'm less tired and sleeping better…
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PEG Tube 101 Use and Care
For those of you with questions about PEG tubes, you might find a 2008 post helpful. http://csn.cancer.org/node/156880 Cut and paste in your browser or just do a "Search" in the HNC board for "Peg Tube 101". Glad to offer more if needed, but this one is pretty detailed and my typically "verbose" presentation. Get…
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long term effets?
my name is jean and my husband had tonsil cancer in 2003 had radiation 35x cancer free cancer came back in 2005 he could not have any more radiation ended up having a radical neck dissection 13 hour operation and 13 says in the hosptal.Just hit 3 years, still cancer free he is on nutritional drinks and coffee but is…
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New member here -- Father diagnosed with tongue cancer
Hello everyone! I really need some feedback for some peace of mind. I'm actually on here on behalf of my father because he barely knows how to speak English, let alone use a computer. Fourteen years ago he had sinus cancer which they were able to remove with chemotherapy and radiation. Despite of how many times the doctors…
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gastroparesis from cysplatin
My husband just completed 4 rounds of chemotherapy(cysplatin) which was given once a week "intra-arterial" to the base of the tongue tumor site. He got a g-tube placed before the treatments. His whole digestive system seems to have shut down--not wanting to move food along at all. After much uncontrolled vomting, we then…
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scared and waiting to see ENT
I have been having a lump in my throat sensation and some mild throat irritation for a number of weeks. I was tested for strep which was negative and also given antibotics that didn't help. I am now seeing an ENT doctor in 2 weeks. My left tonsil seems alittle inflamed and swollen. I am a 45 yr old female who was a light…
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looking for someone
hi there my dad was just diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. i was at a meeting this past thursday at the Arnold Palmer Paviion and was hopeing i could find the person that was singing and playing his guitar i know his name ...i was hoping he comes on this site and i could contact him here...sorry if this doesnt belong…
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Recipes
anyone have any good 'mushy" food recipes? My husband had surgery to remove a tumor from his nasal passage and they removed his upper palate and entire jaw so right now he is on a puree diet and I am running out of things to make. Tonight I made a Turkey, Spinach and Walnut Mousse for him.
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New Diagnosis
I am a 48 yr old male. After many tests it was determined that I have a Branchial Cyst with some abnormal cell growth. I will be meeting with the surgeon in Boston on Thursday to discuss treatment options. I am very scared. What is the surgery like? What is it like to be on radiation and chemotherapy? What is the prognosis…
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Need experience and feedback
I have out of treatment since January 2008 and have been following up at Moffitt Cancer Center since then. In March I had an extra sore place on my tongue and my ENT biopsied it but found no cancer cells. Wednesday of last week, I had my first petscan since I finished treatments and the only place that showed some activity…
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Salivary Gland Cancer - Need Hope
My husband was diagnosed a few months ago with a salivary gland cancer, however, instead of it being in the usual places it appeared in the sinus cavity. He had surgery and the tumor was removed. However 9 weeks later on our honeymoon he was having nose bleeds and difficulty breathing through his nose. Upon our return the…
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What to do after 6 years after treatment
Hello, I am a six year survivor of SCC. At the time of diagnosis I was an elementary school teacher working on a Masters in Psychology. Which I did finish. But the cancer prevented me from practicing. Obviously, I need to use my voice for both of these careers. The bad news is, I had to go on disability because my saliva…
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Getting Started
Hi Everyone, Had my loading dose of Erbitux yesterday. They gave me a small bag of Benedryl first, and it knocked me out for 2hrs. Nothing seemed to bother other than being tired. Today was a full day. Had consult with PEG doc, then got head rest and mask made, and CAT scan for mapping. The PEG doc had set me up for tube…
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Parotid Gland-Acinic cell cancer
I was diagnosed with acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland, 7/99. It was removed surgically, but reoccurred 10/00. At that time I had 6 wks of radiation after they took out my parotid gland and the lymphs on the neck. I had learned about a drug that protected the healthy cells from damage by radiation at my local…
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Platlet counts
Hi all again: My husband just got his port out today which we consider another milestone. However, I have a question about platlet counts again. When he saw the oncologist on June 18, the count was 102,000. Today before they took the port out it was 78,000. He has no bleeding problems, and they didn't say anything about…