Erbitux vs Cisplatin

jtl
jtl Member Posts: 456
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I was recently diagnosed with throat cancer that has involved a single lymph node. I had no symptoms except I felt a small lump way up under my jaw bone, it turned out to be larger than I thought at about 3cm but still very difficult to find. That was the lymph node which I had removed. The cancer was very small but it showed up on a PET scan. I chose Erbitux instead of cisplatin with a combination of 35 Tomo Therapy treaments. I am now finishing week 2 of the rads and have had 3 out of 8 sessions of Erbitux. So far I feel great but the rads will eventually slow me down. The Erbitux is a breeze hopefully this drug will be the start of better treatments for head and neck cancer. I figure I will be finished with the radiation in time to be able to use the mask for Halloween.
Good luck to all of you!
John

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Hi John
    Welcome to CSN glad you found you’re way here. Sounds like you are doing very well on your treatment so hope you continue doing well. Yep you are right I think I will break my old mask out for Halloween.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Welcome
    Welcome to the forum....

    I also had similar symptoms that turned out to be STGIII SCC HPV+ Tonsil Cancer and a single lymphnode.

    I had Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU during a nine week period (three cycles of three weeks each), then seven weeks of weekly Carboplatin and 35 IMRT daily rads.

    I tolerated all fairly well with minimal side effects.

    It's all a crap shoot on who will tolerate what the best and get the most bang for the buck.

    Glad your cocktail is working well for you.

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome
    Welcome to the forum....

    I also had similar symptoms that turned out to be STGIII SCC HPV+ Tonsil Cancer and a single lymphnode.

    I had Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU during a nine week period (three cycles of three weeks each), then seven weeks of weekly Carboplatin and 35 IMRT daily rads.

    I tolerated all fairly well with minimal side effects.

    It's all a crap shoot on who will tolerate what the best and get the most bang for the buck.

    Glad your cocktail is working well for you.

    Best,
    John

    Hi John
    Are you going to use your mask again this year for Halloween?

    Ops; that was not a mask, (sorry brother but I needed something to do)lol.

    Really it would be great if some of us could all get together for one of the up-coming holidays, you could even get me back then......

    :#)
    Thanks Hondo
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #5
    Hondo said:

    Hi John
    Are you going to use your mask again this year for Halloween?

    Ops; that was not a mask, (sorry brother but I needed something to do)lol.

    Really it would be great if some of us could all get together for one of the up-coming holidays, you could even get me back then......

    :#)
    Thanks Hondo

    Mask
    Hadn't even thought of the mask, which I kept, for Halloween. Personally, I think John needs to take it one step further in Florida- like having a PEG tube sticking out of his shirt, also! Now, wouldn't that just be the kinda sight that'd scare even the most weathered H&N Survivor? Thing is- that make a dent in the Florida tourism business, too, and land him in prison for a long haul, or deported to Cuba. Hear the fishing's good down there. However, for the sake of the C community- that would not be a good thing.

    kcass

    (Sorry, John- LOL)
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    Hondo said:

    Hi John
    Are you going to use your mask again this year for Halloween?

    Ops; that was not a mask, (sorry brother but I needed something to do)lol.

    Really it would be great if some of us could all get together for one of the up-coming holidays, you could even get me back then......

    :#)
    Thanks Hondo

    Hardy Har Har.....
    You two are a hoot......

    I didn't wanna even see the mask again when they asked me.... LOL, actually the begged me to take it, it reminded them too much of me...hehe.

    Hmmmm, Kent and Tim, that does give me some good ideas though....

    Maybe for the next time I go to Busch Gardens, Disney or Sea World.

    I could strap on a pump in a fanny pack, tube sticking up through and under the neck of my shirt. The PEG tube hanging out and going under the shirt from another angle.

    But of course I'd have to wear some plaid bermuda shorts, an aloha shirt, black socks and sandals....oh and of course no deodorant for a few days....hmmmm.

    Damn, that wouldn't get me far, I'd just blend in with the european visitors that flock the amusement parks in the summer....

    Guess I'll just stick to my fishing, LOL....

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hardy Har Har.....
    You two are a hoot......

    I didn't wanna even see the mask again when they asked me.... LOL, actually the begged me to take it, it reminded them too much of me...hehe.

    Hmmmm, Kent and Tim, that does give me some good ideas though....

    Maybe for the next time I go to Busch Gardens, Disney or Sea World.

    I could strap on a pump in a fanny pack, tube sticking up through and under the neck of my shirt. The PEG tube hanging out and going under the shirt from another angle.

    But of course I'd have to wear some plaid bermuda shorts, an aloha shirt, black socks and sandals....oh and of course no deodorant for a few days....hmmmm.

    Damn, that wouldn't get me far, I'd just blend in with the european visitors that flock the amusement parks in the summer....

    Guess I'll just stick to my fishing, LOL....

    Best,
    John

    Mask
    No deodorant, ops that is one way to get to rid everything because one would stand close to you. lol

    It would be a good idea to ware it all with a poster that says I was a smoker at once, to get people to realize how bad cancer real is and some of the causes of cancer.

    Be safe
    Hondo
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #8
    Welcome
    Sorry you need this site but you will get lots of support and info here. My husband had two treatments with cisplatin, the second sent him to hospital with kidney problems and dehydration. The oncologist said no more so they gave him 3 rounds of the Erbatox. Side effects a cake walk after the cisplatin. Did get the acne but went away after 3 weeks.

    I pray your side effects are minimal to none and that you kick cancers butt,

    Debbie

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