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Doctors
Hi everyone. It's coming up on a year since my surgery. (tumor removal tongue and 42 lymph nodes removed). I consider myself fortunate in that no further treatment was necessary. Since then, I have moved and had to get a new surgeon-head and neck doctor. I had my first follow-up with the original doctor who did the…
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Struggling Caretaker
I have to admit I have taken so much from this blog without setting up an account. I cannot tell you the number of times I was awake all night reading the entries on this site Looking for hope and strength. My husband, 52, was diagnosed with cancer in July. I am still confused with the descriptions you are all so…
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Waiting for ENT visit
I wrote recently about my wait for an ENT visit. 2 yrs ago I saw an ENT who first treated me with antibiotics, to no avail. They diagnosed me with turbinate dysfunction and placed me on Flonase. The flonase seemed to do the trick as far as warding off my sinus headaches. Fast forward two yrs and I am back in the saddle…
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how long to recovery
This topic is one of considerable interest to many of us. I know, I know, "it depends". My experience: I am now seven days after my last rad treatment and am beginning to believe this might have an end. I got down +500 calories, walked easily, saw the last of my radiation burn skin drop off, and mucusities is now…
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Keytruda
I just had another CT scan last Wednesday. The results are mixed. The lung mets are responding and shrinking but the bone mets have increased in size a little. They also found a fracture in my pelvis due to the mets. So this week I start Keytruda. My oncologist is very positive about the immunotherapy route. Kind of…
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Post treatment advise
My husband had surgery the end of July to remove a tumor on the paratid (salivary) gland. Needle biopsy prior to surgery did not show cancer and confirmed it was a type of tumor that rarely is cancerous. However, the post surgery path report found cancer. The tumor had grown around the center main nerve branch feeding the…
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Pain - chronic post treatment
Hello Survivors!!!! Wow what a journey we have all been on and now....we're trying to get our lives back. I'd like to hear from survivors who are experiencing post treatment chronic pain. What are your current levels? What are you and your Drs doing for management? I am 3 yrs post concurrent chemo and radiation for larynx…
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ringing the bell
#33 of 33 radiations and #7 of 7 chemos completed. Initial diagnosis was made by my son, a resident in Emergency Medicine, investigating a cough. Time from initial diagnosis to final treatment was 9 weeks. Stage III N0 M0 HPV on my right tonsil. I had read a variety of horror stories about Kaiser-Permanete. I experienced…
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FEAR
first lesion biopsy was done on Oct 26 this year. total lesion was not removed, margins not totally clear, my tongue still hurts and burns! 2 Months later! I'm going in the hospital Friday to have the remainder of the lesion removed and hopefully get clear margins.... first biopsy showed moderate to severe dysphasi. Hoping…
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T minus 20 ... Radiation for SCC on lower tongue and in the lymph nodes
Got fitted for my mask today. My first radiation is Oct 6; it feels like a year away, but I'm sure I will be in the middle of it before I know it. My cancer journey started Aug 3, when I was told the lumps in my neck were lymph nodes that had SCC that had metastisized from "somewhere", but we weren't sure where.…
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Pre ENT visit
Hello! I am returning to this site after aprox 2 yrs. as I have a new concern that I thought was remedied! 2 yrs. ago my Doc referred me to an ENT as I had a blockage on one side of my nasal passage! History of allergies and previous smoker! I quit 11 yrs ago. The ENT diagnosed me with a turbinate dysfunction. He stated…
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How Healthy Eating Can Help You Beat Cancer
When I read in this NY Post article that a third(!) of all cancer death are due to malnutrition, my first thought was "no way." Then I googled and, sure enough, it's true. Pretty shocking actually. Anyway, this is a good read. So please, everyone...I know it hurts but stay hydrated and do your best to eat the good stuff.…
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Stage III Oral Cancer under Tongue/Tumor growth under Chin
Needing Support I'am a "Newbie" here and would like to know if there are Long Term Surviors of this Cancer. I was told I had a 30% of making it. This is my 3rd time to "ride this Monster." Will endure 8 weeks of Radiaition Therapy (5 Days of Week) plus Chemo once a week for 8 weeks (Cisplatin, IV Port). Could not remove my…
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Need advice and help about medication
My husband had bot surgery with infiltration into lymph node surgery on Dec 23. Sometimes, he can get pills down, sometimes he can't. Sometimes he can get liquid down, sometimes he can't and he vomits. We have his first oncology appt on January 23rd. Today his primary and the ent who did the surgery recommended a peg tube.…
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Time flies...
Haven't been here in awhile...So, exactly 2 yrs. 4 months out from the last treatment for Stage lV SCC BOT HPV 16+, with metastasis to the lymph nodes. Had the 3 cisplatin chemo marathons and the 35 rad cycle. PEG tube for a few months. Didn't have major problems with nausea or constipation at the time. Just dealing with…
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radiation burns to face
New to this forum, glad to find you. 17 months past chemo and 39 radiation treatments for neck (tonsil bed with mets to a lymph node), still have red, splotchy, painless burns on face. Do they go away? Does anything promote healing? Thanks.
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exposed bone in my mouth (jaw bone)
In July/12 I had 2/3 of my tongue removed and built up again with a flap. I had six weeks of radiation. Shortly thereafter, The skin on the botton right of my inner jaw broke away and exposed the bone. The dr didn't really know how to repair it. Now, it is getting bigger and something must be done....not sure what a repair…
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New to Forum with a question
Hi, My husband (50)was diagnosed 6 weeks ago with a BOT cancer spreading to nearby lymph node. It all happened so very quickly with a slight flu feeling and a lump in the neck, after a biopsy of the lump with a cancer diagnosis the tumour was located on the base of his tongue, within a week he was in surgery having the…
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newly diagnosed Laryngeal Cancer
Hello all, I am 51 years old and the father of a very active 5 year old girl. I am also scared to death. I was recently diagnosed with invasive squamous cell carncinoma (early Nov2016). The biopsy was taken from the supra-glottis, right side, false cord. The disease was in all three glottic areas. The doctor, here in…
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Happy New Year
Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! I hope 2017 brings improved health and better outcomes for everyone. All you survivors are true jedi warriors, and a total inspiration. Keep fighting the good fight! With prayers for all of you.
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Husband threw up blood
My husband had cancer surgery, base of tongue, lymphnodes involved. The surgeon called yesterday and said it was metastatic scc and is referring us to an oncologist. His chest xray was clear. My question is.... one week post surgery he was trying to take his pain pill and it got stuck and he was throwing up blood. He…
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Metallic taste
Hey everyone. I tried to search this question but could not find it. I have two more chemo sessions left and about half way done with radiation. I am doing great as I still work out and take nice hikes. My biggest side effects are metallic taste and semi-dry mouth. I do have a feeding tube but do not use it as I am able to…
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PEG food
Hey guys, As I'm finishing up the first week of rads I'm making sure I have everything in order to begin using the PEG as soon as it's necessary, if at all. I'm not happy with the ingredients for the canned feedings that my doc has supplied, even though we did find a vegan option. I'm also not finding anything commercially…
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3 years NED
Another one dropping in to say Hello! Hubby is doing great! We are truly blessed. Prayers to all.
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Neck Dissection first part of my kill cancer protocol
Hi! I am a newbie here :) . My cancer presented with a swollen lymph node under my jawbone below the ear. My diagnosis was SCC Stage 4a with unknown primary. They are pretty certain it carries the HPV 16 marker and will have a definite on that soon. Surgery with TORS is being scheduled soon for a search for the primary,…
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Christmas came early
In August I had a tumor removed from the base of my tongue. I started radiation treatments in early September and finished about the middle of October. I recently went for a follow up with my ENT. He scheduled me for a CT scan on December 16th. Needles to say I did not sleep much while waiting on the results of the scan.…
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Nice deal
Hi I'm new but been lurking for a month. I'm Stage III N-1 M-0 HPV-pos tonsillar. Sentence was for 33 rad, 8 chemo with Carbol-platin. I have 0 chemos , 5 rads left. came here looking for recovery tips, plus a few tips of my own. #1 tip, I found a small medical supplier in Ohio that has a small but powerful mucos suction…
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-Suction Machine
Hi Fellow H & N Cancer Patients and Co. Patients. One thing we didn't learn or hear about until after we really could have used it was a SUCTION MACHINE! During our last visit with the Radiation Oncologist Nurse Coordinator she asked my husband what was his worst complaint at that point. He told her that the mucous is so…
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HELP.
My husband was diagnosed with mouth cancer in July. He has a feeding tube and this is still his main source of nutrition. We are almost out of Jevity, and the insurance says it will not give us any more. Does anyone have any left overs? I'm happy to reimburse for shipping. Thank you
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Merry Christmas
Whether you are in the midst of the storm or out of the storm we all have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for all the support from this group. I finished up in March and today it seems like ages ago. However, I am always on the lookout. I wish each and everyone of you and all your families a very Merry Christmas and…