Side effects of radiation and chemo for treatment of NECK cancer.

mossback99

Swoosh13, once again, thank you for taking the time to share this info. I am grateful.

michaela7863

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1723212#Comment_1723212

I am 62 years old. The Drs wanted me to do chemo and radiation after my initial surgery. I looked at the percentages of recurrence and of course the side effects and they did not add up for me. I basically flipped a coin and elected not to continue on with the radiation and chemo treatments post-surgery. I told myself that if the cancer did return, I would deal with it at that point. Well unfortunately it returned so I am dealing with it NOW. Immunotherapies are astronomically expensive, and some insurance companies don't/won't cover them either. Which is BS!!!! A friend of mine did go through a treatment plan with immunotherapy and it worked for him. Thank God. It works but as I stated before, really expensive and insurance may not cover it.

mossback99

Okay, understood. Sorry to have to deal with it again and now. Everything is always more clear in hindsight but I can completely understand your decision at the time- especially in light of the side effects…

As for immunotherapies, it's a shame the cost is so high. While I understand there is significant effort and costs in developing these drugs and medicines, it really shouldn't be so high that normal people don't have access to them. That's a very tough thing to reconcile.

mossback99

Well guys, it turns out I've been thrown a bit of a curve ball. What was first suspected as H&N cancer has turned out to be something totally different: a type of lymphoma. The exact type is still being ascertained but it's a totally different category than H&N. So I'll be visiting that section of CSN soon and just want to say thanks to all of you for the time, insights and information you shared to help me. Best wishes and God bless you.

wbcgaruss

mossback99, thanks for letting us know your status before leaving.

I am glad it did not take them long to figure out that they were on the wrong trail.

I am praying that this is something easier to deal with and easily treated.

If you feel up to it give us an update now and then.

Wishing You The Best

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

NEGU (Never Ever Give Up)

jdool517

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/329415/side-effects-of-radiation-and-chemo-for-treatment-of-neck-cancer

Hello Michaela7863, I have had all the same side effects as you have to date and still have some today after 7 years (now undergoing treatment again)… trouble with taste, saliva, nutrition, and dry mouth. It still causes me to be under nourished and very weak at times. It's a battle every day, but you do gain some taste (mine took about 8 months before I could taste anything) so I used salt and sauces as well to help. Just keep trying different foods and keep eating what you can taste… NOTE: your body NEEDS protein to push past all the side effects ( the lack of protein caused my hands to shake violently) so make sure you eat meat, eggs, cheese… what ever protein you like. Good luck.

mossback99

Hello again. Since my last post in June I am now about 3/4 through my planned treatments for lymphoma. So far it seems to be going well. I'll update again at some point down the road.

My best wishes to all.

Swoosh13

Hi Mossback99,

I’m so glad to hear that your treatment is going well and you’re already 3/4 through it. Here’s sending healing vibes to the finish line and beyond! Keep us posted!