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Base of tongue, tonsil, 4 lymph nodes P16 squamous cell carcinoma
Hi all, We finally got the news that my husband's H&N cancer is P16. We're grateful because it responds better to chemo and radiation. We met with the Radiation Oncologist today and now we're scared of all the awful side effects...ESPECIALLY the possibility of loss of the ability to swallow. Anyone willing to share…
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Lymphedema
My husband is 3 months post treatment. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with lymphedema in the neck under the chin? He is having a hard time sleeping and tries to clear his throat a lot. He received a NED report after his 60 day checkup. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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4 weeks down!
I have 3 weeks radiation and 1 chemo (cisplatin) left. I can't eat solids anymore. I am drinking 4 shakes a day, 2 made with ensure enlive and 2 with a protein powder, milk and a banana. I can eat watermelon and vanilla ice cream, and of course drinking water inbetween. I am on gabapetin and I think that is helping, but…
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Blood tinged mucus?
End of my sixth week of rads and my throat is definitely more raw. This morning, after a painful coughing session, I hacked up mucus that had a small amount of blood in it. Is this normal? Kari
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Vomiting from Mucus?
I'm almost through my fifth week of rads and have been experiencing an increase in mucus production. I've also been throwing up about once a day and I'm wondering if it's from all the mucus settling into my stomach and causing it to get upset. Sometimes trying to hack up the mucus will also set off a round of vomiting.…
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these teeth!!!!
Very frustrated! I had mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lower left jaw. I lost 1/4 of my jaw and 1/4 of my teeth in order to remove the tumor and 21 nodes. Implants aren't an option as I have a titanium metal jaw now. I have a partial that "fills in" the missing teeth for looks only as I can not eat with the partial in. It…
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Surgery, chemoradiation or Chemoradiation
I would be interested to know how decisions were made regarding surgery then chemo/radiaion or the decision to try to avoid surgery with chemo/radiation. My husband and I have been trying to decide what we think is in his best interests before we hear from the Drs. They met today about him. if he has surgery he faces, 4…
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7 radiation treatments left!
Sorry I haven't posted or commented in awhile. I've been struggling with nausea. Pain is pretty much under control with gabapetin, liquid hydrocodone, and magic mouthwash. I can deal with the fatigue too. It is just this nausea - and having to cough up mucus because of the radiation treatments doesn’t help. I had my last…
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Gout... SOAB!
So... one of the side effects I've had since treatment is gout. I had it happen several times in my feet (big toe) and let me tell ya... it hurts like a MOFO! I'm coming up on 3.5 years post treatment and all in all I'm doing great! I see my Radiation Oncologist this coming Tuesday for a scope, poke and prod and I expect…
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recurrence article
After posting my 6th month NED earlier this week, a fellow warrior snt me an article on a recent study which tends to indicate the great majority of recurrences occur within the first 6 months. Always, a concern particularly when the battle is so fresh in my mind and still recovering, but this article was comforting having…
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recovery after squamous cell carcinoma stage 4
35 year old male. I had my surgery on 4/20/16. They removed most of my visible tongue and 2 of my lymph nodes. I developed an infection in my neck after the surgery so I was in the hospital for a month. I came out feeling ok for a while. But I needed to have a wound vac on my my neck for about a month and a half. They…
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What to do if you get different treatment plans to consider?
Sorry for the long post. I need some feedback from you good folks on the forum. I had surgery on June 30 at JH. The surgeon has scheduled me for follow-up with him and a rad oncologist on August 23. It is 7 weeks post-op, which worries me, since they recommend you start rads at 6 weeks post-op. He mentioned on the phone…
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my husband was just diagnosed with stage 4A squamous cell - tonsils and left lymph node
hello everyone. my husband was recently diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. it is in his tonsils and left lymph node. the PET scan showed that the cancer has not spread. We live in the Boston, MA area and are going thru the Dana Farber Cancer Center. My husband is going to have surgery, chemo and radiation.…
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3 Weeks Post Treatment
Today marks my 3rd week post treatment. Things are progressing well. I credit both my intial good health and this site to my overall successes in handling my treatments. All 3 of my docs (ENT surgeon, radiology oncologist and medical oncologist) are amazed at how well I came through the treatments considering the total of…
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Waking up each morning , extremely dehydrated
Hi there , Its beem a very long while since I was here last. Been moving forward with my life It will be 2 years on monday since I finished my treatment. I initially lost 43 kgs and have put a fair bit back on now. My appetite is most certainly back and can eat most things now, I struggle a bit with chicken , some meats…
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Cisplatin and 5FU as preventive doses
After going through all the radiation treatments and 3 chemo treatments the tumor was gone. My husband who is 69 years old and had been in good health until now was just starting to get back to himself after what the doctors called "a traumatic course" that included complications of acute kidney failure and depression. He…
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My radiation recovery - 1 month
Well, I'm happy to report it's been a whole month and 2 days since I completed treatment. It's gone quick but it hasn't been easy. The first 3 weeks were pretty tough. Vomiting issues due to mucositis and those Boost/Ensure shakes I was drinking to maintain my weight. I've lost maybe 5 lbs and still look and feel the same.…
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FOUR YEARS GONE BY
July 30 marks exactly 4 years since my last radiation treatment and I’m cancer free. I decided to mark the day by doing three things. I went for a century bicycle ride (100 miles) just to remind myself that I’m 100% back to doing everything that I used to do prior to treatment. I updated my profile which now shares more of…
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6 month NED
Fellow warriors, Good news today. My 6 month CT scan came back NED. Whew, 3 more months down. So relieved. Feeling good, back to recovery mode. Good luck to all those in the middle of it....you will soon be on the other end. I am very thankful today. Cheers, Tony
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NED Times 3
Received Fantastic news today. Need to start at the beginning. The PET scan done at the end of January showed Lt tonsil/base of tongue w/ few flickers in Rt upper lung. 2 1/2 months out from HN SCC HPV+ treatment I starting to improve except for burning pain at the back and right side of tongue when eating. Went to my ENT…
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biopsy
hello to all i am a little confused , maybe you can help i have been told i have SCC . i have a lump at BOT 3.2 x 3.5 , the pain can get intense , after 2 biopsies nothing found, next was a FNA of lymph nodes in the neck . still nothing . i am scheduled for another biopsy this week , i started seeing a ENT 2 i/2 months ago…
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Glutamine Powder
Is this safe to take with Chemo. I have read many things interfer with Chemo and I just want to make sure. Also, does anybody know if the throat care teas are safe to dring during chemo. Thanks, again for for all the advice.
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Countdown
I'm preparing for my treatments. They begin Wednesday for the next seven weeks. Radiation and weekly cisplatan. So far I have: Anti-nausea med Prochlorper (?) Comfy loose clothes Lorazepam for comfortable mask time Spray bottle (Thanks Estelle!) Cases of Ensure Complete Sign on kitchen wall stating "EAT TO LIVE" Eucalyptus…
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Radiation aftereffects
I began Radiation Oncology during the summer of 2008 and was instructed to cover up from the sun. On my exit interview that aspect was missed due to more major considerations such as if my taste, salivary glands or hair would return. Years later I avoided the sun but this week I began cryogenic treatment for Actinic…
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Waiting on the recovery
I am awaiting my recovery phase. I just rang my rad bell this past Wednesday and my chemo bell on the 21st of July. Lately, I get so down about not drinking enough to keep my swallow functioning. I struggle with this nasty mucous every time I drink something. It's like fighting an invisible force and I end up coughing or…
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Headed into Week 6
I'm headed into week 6 of treatments today and things have definitely taken a turn for the more difficult. The skin on my neck looks awful - dark brownish red in spots and starting to peel. Very sensitive to the touch. I had a lot of throat pain with swallowing yesterday, but managed to get some relief with extra strength…
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Anyone know about Vero, the latest for radiation?
The reason why I am looking into the Vero machine, is that it is touted to reduce the treatment time, and also the damage to surrounding tissue. I guess it might be considered the newest thing, more so than the Proton Therapy. So far, there are not many machines. It looks like a university hospital in Texas has one machine…
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Had surgery June 30, no path report yet; worried about a few things
I apologize in advance for this long post. It was hard to sit down and put my thoughts together. I am 17 days post-op, after going out-of state to JH in Baltimore. It looks like I am healing pretty well from the surgery itself, but nervous about a few things and anxious about what's to come. Some background: The biopsy I…
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No pictures again! Climb that mountain
I had wanted to post a picture but that feature doesn't seem to be working again :( So you will have to imagine the picture. I just wanted to write and let those who are currently battling head and neck cancer that better days lie ahead. A year ago we were just finishing up chemoradiation and fighting through weight loss,…
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Chemotherapy
My friend is undergoing chemotherapy for the past 6 months as he is suffering from cancer. Repeated chemotherapy has weakened his immune system. It has damaged his salivary glands and has caused a dry mouth. Now, he is suffering from tooth decay and infection. We consulted a dentist at Toronto (…