newly diagnosed Base of Tongue with lymph node involvement

2»

Comments

  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566

    Morning guy
    Once things start rolling, I will be getting rads at 8 AM and then going right upstairs.My schedule is Mon. then Hydration on Wed. and Fri. In 2006 I did the same thing then went right to work and never missed a day. Just FYI if you have to miss a radiation treatment, that is no big deal.....they just add it on at the end. Do your Docs say Robertwill need surgery after the burn/poison regimen?We live in Zionsville?
    Bill

    Denise & Robert
    Wishing you best of luck as you go through treatment. I am 23 months post and doing well.
    My suggestions to you are eat, eat, eat, all you can now. Eat calories, try to gain some weight in the early days of Rads. Make sure you are hydrated and most of all, make a daily journal of all the meds and when you take them...you can get confused real easy if you don't. When you can't get enough calories in use the peg alot. Try to keep your weight up and get all the nutrients you need during this time. It will help you in 6-7 weeks when you feel like crap.
    This is doable and the cure rate is great. So stay focused, be positive and you'll be giving advice to other newbies in a very short time....
    all the best,
    Steve
  • IAmStrong
    IAmStrong Member Posts: 58
    hawk711 said:

    Denise & Robert
    Wishing you best of luck as you go through treatment. I am 23 months post and doing well.
    My suggestions to you are eat, eat, eat, all you can now. Eat calories, try to gain some weight in the early days of Rads. Make sure you are hydrated and most of all, make a daily journal of all the meds and when you take them...you can get confused real easy if you don't. When you can't get enough calories in use the peg alot. Try to keep your weight up and get all the nutrients you need during this time. It will help you in 6-7 weeks when you feel like crap.
    This is doable and the cure rate is great. So stay focused, be positive and you'll be giving advice to other newbies in a very short time....
    all the best,
    Steve

    One Day At A Time
    It's so true! You seem to have a positive attitude, that is great. It will get worse before it gets better...but stay Focused on the Better because it Does arrive! You have so much support here and wonderful information at your disposal and this will soon be behind you. God Speed to you and all others going through treatment now.

    Kind Regards,
    Linda
  • dclear14
    dclear14 Member Posts: 36

    Morning guy
    Once things start rolling, I will be getting rads at 8 AM and then going right upstairs.My schedule is Mon. then Hydration on Wed. and Fri. In 2006 I did the same thing then went right to work and never missed a day. Just FYI if you have to miss a radiation treatment, that is no big deal.....they just add it on at the end. Do your Docs say Robertwill need surgery after the burn/poison regimen?We live in Zionsville?
    Bill

    Nazareth (Bushkill Township)
    No plans for surgery. They hope to catch it all with the chemo/rads first time around. They did say if for some reason there are any nodes left over that might not have completely responded to treatment, they will perform surgery to remove what is left.
    Denise
  • Kenneth J
    Kenneth J Member Posts: 1
    THE JOURNEY BEGINS
    1 COMPLETED 33 RADIATION TREEATMENTS AND 3 CYSPOATIN TREATENTS OVER SEVEN WEEKS. I ALSO HAD
    PART OF MY TONGUE REMOVED AND RADICAL NECK DISECTION. LAST TREATMENT DATE WAS NOVEMBER 18TH. ONE OF MY ONCOLOGIST NURSES ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A JOURNEY.SHE IS WRITE, EVERYDAY SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT. CHALLENGES OR VICTORIES. MY BEST ADVICE IS FOR YOUR HUSBAND TO MAINTAIN A JOURNAL. DR APPTS, PERSON HEALTH, PAIN AND NO PAIN DAYS. THE RESON FOR THIS IS WHEN YOU GET FAR ENOUGH THROUGH THE JOUNEY YOU WILL HAVE A RECORD OF EVETS AND FEEL BETTER WBOUT WHERE YOU ARE AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE.

    TAKE CARE AND KEEP THE FAITH!
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9

    treatment
    Hi Denise. I do not know all of the jargon of T1-N2b-MO yet. I was diagnosed MArch 2011 with stage 3 and a nickel sized tumor on the base of my tongue. The tumor was surgically removed with a Da Vinci robotic machine. It was actually dime sized and the edges were clean and clear. 38 lymph nodes were removed from the left side of my neck. Pathology showed that the evil little guys had made microscopic holes in node. Right side of neck did not show signs of cancer. I had 33 sessions of radiation from a tomo machine which can specifically locates the direction and strength of the radiation. I was scheduled for 3 large doses of cisplatin though only had 2 as the chemo doctor only wanted to have the chemo during the radiation. My 2nd dose was postponed as my blood counts dropped too low. Ask your doctor about this. I did not get tatooed as the mask was tatooed. The first time with the mask being clamped down onto your face is kind of freaky and claustrophobic. Had them take it off several times so that I could adjust physically and mentally. The radiation burns the outside of the neck and inside of the throat. I used aquaphor cream to help with the neck burn. I found this better than the radia gel which the hospital gave me. It was hard to swallow after a week. Thought pain was going to be real bad then it backed off. Suggest carnation breakfast drink for g tube feeding. 500+ calories per can and is less expensive than ensure. See if Lehigh Valley has a dietician. For the chemo take the anti nausea meds before you feel ill. After the first chemo, i took my meds when I felt ill. Next time I took them right after the treatment. Much more effective. Ask the doctors and nurses [which mat have more time] a lot of questions. Hope this helps. Try to stay positive. My October 2011 PET scan was clean. My January 2012 CT scan was clean. Best, Homer

    Denise tongue cancer
    Denise you had the surgery how much of your tongue was removed ?
    They said 40% at time of diagnosed but with the waiting time of pulling
    Teeth a d healing time it has grown
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9

    treatment
    Hi Denise. I do not know all of the jargon of T1-N2b-MO yet. I was diagnosed MArch 2011 with stage 3 and a nickel sized tumor on the base of my tongue. The tumor was surgically removed with a Da Vinci robotic machine. It was actually dime sized and the edges were clean and clear. 38 lymph nodes were removed from the left side of my neck. Pathology showed that the evil little guys had made microscopic holes in node. Right side of neck did not show signs of cancer. I had 33 sessions of radiation from a tomo machine which can specifically locates the direction and strength of the radiation. I was scheduled for 3 large doses of cisplatin though only had 2 as the chemo doctor only wanted to have the chemo during the radiation. My 2nd dose was postponed as my blood counts dropped too low. Ask your doctor about this. I did not get tatooed as the mask was tatooed. The first time with the mask being clamped down onto your face is kind of freaky and claustrophobic. Had them take it off several times so that I could adjust physically and mentally. The radiation burns the outside of the neck and inside of the throat. I used aquaphor cream to help with the neck burn. I found this better than the radia gel which the hospital gave me. It was hard to swallow after a week. Thought pain was going to be real bad then it backed off. Suggest carnation breakfast drink for g tube feeding. 500+ calories per can and is less expensive than ensure. See if Lehigh Valley has a dietician. For the chemo take the anti nausea meds before you feel ill. After the first chemo, i took my meds when I felt ill. Next time I took them right after the treatment. Much more effective. Ask the doctors and nurses [which mat have more time] a lot of questions. Hope this helps. Try to stay positive. My October 2011 PET scan was clean. My January 2012 CT scan was clean. Best, Homer

    Denise tongue cancer
    Denise you had the surgery how much of your tongue was removed ?
    They said 40% at time of diagnosed but with the waiting time of pulling
    Teeth a d healing time it has grown
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9

    treatment
    Hi Denise. I do not know all of the jargon of T1-N2b-MO yet. I was diagnosed MArch 2011 with stage 3 and a nickel sized tumor on the base of my tongue. The tumor was surgically removed with a Da Vinci robotic machine. It was actually dime sized and the edges were clean and clear. 38 lymph nodes were removed from the left side of my neck. Pathology showed that the evil little guys had made microscopic holes in node. Right side of neck did not show signs of cancer. I had 33 sessions of radiation from a tomo machine which can specifically locates the direction and strength of the radiation. I was scheduled for 3 large doses of cisplatin though only had 2 as the chemo doctor only wanted to have the chemo during the radiation. My 2nd dose was postponed as my blood counts dropped too low. Ask your doctor about this. I did not get tatooed as the mask was tatooed. The first time with the mask being clamped down onto your face is kind of freaky and claustrophobic. Had them take it off several times so that I could adjust physically and mentally. The radiation burns the outside of the neck and inside of the throat. I used aquaphor cream to help with the neck burn. I found this better than the radia gel which the hospital gave me. It was hard to swallow after a week. Thought pain was going to be real bad then it backed off. Suggest carnation breakfast drink for g tube feeding. 500+ calories per can and is less expensive than ensure. See if Lehigh Valley has a dietician. For the chemo take the anti nausea meds before you feel ill. After the first chemo, i took my meds when I felt ill. Next time I took them right after the treatment. Much more effective. Ask the doctors and nurses [which mat have more time] a lot of questions. Hope this helps. Try to stay positive. My October 2011 PET scan was clean. My January 2012 CT scan was clean. Best, Homer

    Denise tongue cancer
    Denise you had the surgery how much of your tongue was removed ?
    They said 40% at time of diagnosed but with the waiting time of pulling
    Teeth a d healing time it has grown
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9

    treatment
    Hi Denise. I do not know all of the jargon of T1-N2b-MO yet. I was diagnosed MArch 2011 with stage 3 and a nickel sized tumor on the base of my tongue. The tumor was surgically removed with a Da Vinci robotic machine. It was actually dime sized and the edges were clean and clear. 38 lymph nodes were removed from the left side of my neck. Pathology showed that the evil little guys had made microscopic holes in node. Right side of neck did not show signs of cancer. I had 33 sessions of radiation from a tomo machine which can specifically locates the direction and strength of the radiation. I was scheduled for 3 large doses of cisplatin though only had 2 as the chemo doctor only wanted to have the chemo during the radiation. My 2nd dose was postponed as my blood counts dropped too low. Ask your doctor about this. I did not get tatooed as the mask was tatooed. The first time with the mask being clamped down onto your face is kind of freaky and claustrophobic. Had them take it off several times so that I could adjust physically and mentally. The radiation burns the outside of the neck and inside of the throat. I used aquaphor cream to help with the neck burn. I found this better than the radia gel which the hospital gave me. It was hard to swallow after a week. Thought pain was going to be real bad then it backed off. Suggest carnation breakfast drink for g tube feeding. 500+ calories per can and is less expensive than ensure. See if Lehigh Valley has a dietician. For the chemo take the anti nausea meds before you feel ill. After the first chemo, i took my meds when I felt ill. Next time I took them right after the treatment. Much more effective. Ask the doctors and nurses [which mat have more time] a lot of questions. Hope this helps. Try to stay positive. My October 2011 PET scan was clean. My January 2012 CT scan was clean. Best, Homer

    Denise tongue cancer
    Denise you had the surgery how much of your tongue was removed ?
    They said 40% at time of diagnosed but with the waiting time of pulling
    Teeth a d healing time it has grown
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9

    treatment
    Hi Denise. I do not know all of the jargon of T1-N2b-MO yet. I was diagnosed MArch 2011 with stage 3 and a nickel sized tumor on the base of my tongue. The tumor was surgically removed with a Da Vinci robotic machine. It was actually dime sized and the edges were clean and clear. 38 lymph nodes were removed from the left side of my neck. Pathology showed that the evil little guys had made microscopic holes in node. Right side of neck did not show signs of cancer. I had 33 sessions of radiation from a tomo machine which can specifically locates the direction and strength of the radiation. I was scheduled for 3 large doses of cisplatin though only had 2 as the chemo doctor only wanted to have the chemo during the radiation. My 2nd dose was postponed as my blood counts dropped too low. Ask your doctor about this. I did not get tatooed as the mask was tatooed. The first time with the mask being clamped down onto your face is kind of freaky and claustrophobic. Had them take it off several times so that I could adjust physically and mentally. The radiation burns the outside of the neck and inside of the throat. I used aquaphor cream to help with the neck burn. I found this better than the radia gel which the hospital gave me. It was hard to swallow after a week. Thought pain was going to be real bad then it backed off. Suggest carnation breakfast drink for g tube feeding. 500+ calories per can and is less expensive than ensure. See if Lehigh Valley has a dietician. For the chemo take the anti nausea meds before you feel ill. After the first chemo, i took my meds when I felt ill. Next time I took them right after the treatment. Much more effective. Ask the doctors and nurses [which mat have more time] a lot of questions. Hope this helps. Try to stay positive. My October 2011 PET scan was clean. My January 2012 CT scan was clean. Best, Homer

    Denise tongue cancer
    Denise you had the surgery how much of your tongue was removed ?
    They said 40% at time of diagnosed but with the waiting time of pulling
    Teeth a d healing time it has grown
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9
    Kenneth J said:

    THE JOURNEY BEGINS
    1 COMPLETED 33 RADIATION TREEATMENTS AND 3 CYSPOATIN TREATENTS OVER SEVEN WEEKS. I ALSO HAD
    PART OF MY TONGUE REMOVED AND RADICAL NECK DISECTION. LAST TREATMENT DATE WAS NOVEMBER 18TH. ONE OF MY ONCOLOGIST NURSES ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A JOURNEY.SHE IS WRITE, EVERYDAY SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT. CHALLENGES OR VICTORIES. MY BEST ADVICE IS FOR YOUR HUSBAND TO MAINTAIN A JOURNAL. DR APPTS, PERSON HEALTH, PAIN AND NO PAIN DAYS. THE RESON FOR THIS IS WHEN YOU GET FAR ENOUGH THROUGH THE JOUNEY YOU WILL HAVE A RECORD OF EVETS AND FEEL BETTER WBOUT WHERE YOU ARE AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE.

    TAKE CARE AND KEEP THE FAITH!

    The journey begins
    I was just wondering how much of yout tongue was removed and
    I am worried cause they said 49% at first but now it has grown and
    I am worried .. Can you talk ? What helped with tongue movement
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9

    Denise tongue cancer
    Denise you had the surgery how much of your tongue was removed ?
    They said 40% at time of diagnosed but with the waiting time of pulling
    Teeth a d healing time it has grown

    sorry
    so nervous did not realize I had posted same question 6 times...

    Is there any one on this site that had part of their tongue removed ??
    Please I need to talk to someone!!!
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9
    Kenneth J said:

    THE JOURNEY BEGINS
    1 COMPLETED 33 RADIATION TREEATMENTS AND 3 CYSPOATIN TREATENTS OVER SEVEN WEEKS. I ALSO HAD
    PART OF MY TONGUE REMOVED AND RADICAL NECK DISECTION. LAST TREATMENT DATE WAS NOVEMBER 18TH. ONE OF MY ONCOLOGIST NURSES ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A JOURNEY.SHE IS WRITE, EVERYDAY SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT. CHALLENGES OR VICTORIES. MY BEST ADVICE IS FOR YOUR HUSBAND TO MAINTAIN A JOURNAL. DR APPTS, PERSON HEALTH, PAIN AND NO PAIN DAYS. THE RESON FOR THIS IS WHEN YOU GET FAR ENOUGH THROUGH THE JOUNEY YOU WILL HAVE A RECORD OF EVETS AND FEEL BETTER WBOUT WHERE YOU ARE AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE.

    TAKE CARE AND KEEP THE FAITH!

    Hello Kenneth
    Your the one I need to talk with if your still on this chat room.. I need anwsers and someone to talk with about the cutting of the tongue thing..I am very scared and freaked out for my brother and is name is also Kenneth.....Please get back to me when you have the time....

    Thank You,.

    scaredsister
  • Scaredsister.
    Scaredsister. Member Posts: 9
    Kenneth J said:

    THE JOURNEY BEGINS
    1 COMPLETED 33 RADIATION TREEATMENTS AND 3 CYSPOATIN TREATENTS OVER SEVEN WEEKS. I ALSO HAD
    PART OF MY TONGUE REMOVED AND RADICAL NECK DISECTION. LAST TREATMENT DATE WAS NOVEMBER 18TH. ONE OF MY ONCOLOGIST NURSES ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A JOURNEY.SHE IS WRITE, EVERYDAY SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT. CHALLENGES OR VICTORIES. MY BEST ADVICE IS FOR YOUR HUSBAND TO MAINTAIN A JOURNAL. DR APPTS, PERSON HEALTH, PAIN AND NO PAIN DAYS. THE RESON FOR THIS IS WHEN YOU GET FAR ENOUGH THROUGH THE JOUNEY YOU WILL HAVE A RECORD OF EVETS AND FEEL BETTER WBOUT WHERE YOU ARE AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE.

    TAKE CARE AND KEEP THE FAITH!

    Hello Kenneth
    Your the one I need to talk with if your still on this chat room.. I need anwsers and someone to talk with about the cutting of the tongue thing..I am very scared and freaked out for my brother and is name is also Kenneth.....Please get back to me when you have the time....

    Thank You,.

    scaredsister
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member

    The journey begins
    I was just wondering how much of yout tongue was removed and
    I am worried cause they said 49% at first but now it has grown and
    I am worried .. Can you talk ? What helped with tongue movement

    PM for you
    I have just sent you a PM about how to contact people. I can see from your posts you're jusst about completely freaked out. Gotta slow down and take a deep breath. Many of these posts won't get responded to, its just that they move down the board and its hard for people to see them later on today or tomorrow. Welcome to the site, I'll see if I can help you a little on contacting people/posting information.

    Pat
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member

    sorry
    so nervous did not realize I had posted same question 6 times...

    Is there any one on this site that had part of their tongue removed ??
    Please I need to talk to someone!!!

    Plenty of people who post here
    Who have had part of their tonuge removed. I'm sure if they see your post they will respond. I tried to send you a PM to help you figure out how to post more easily here, but the system, for some reason, does not redognize your username. I've not run into this before, but assume it is a temporaray glitch in the system. I copied the PM, therefore, and will post it to you right here:

    Hi,


    The board is hard to follow sometimes. Some people will not re read a thread beyond the first time, and will miss what you need if you are posting in the middle of a thread. It looks to me like you are a new poster, with problems that partly fit into the thread I saw you on, but are also unique to your situation.

    If you have individual questions for indicvidual posters, go to your CSN email and write the q's to them as email. When they come back to the site, it will notify them they have private mail. That works pretty well,, and if they don't respond, there's nothing you can do about it.

    Your general situation and your bigger questions you should create a major thread and post your own topic on this. That way everyone gets to see who you are, and can respond within YOUR individual thread. Don't be embarassed to create a thead and say HELP!!!!!

    Also, FILL OUT YOUR BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION RIGHT NOW. Otherwise, we are all having to guess what your background is, and that's not fair to you, nor to us. It will take some time to get all this answered. On Sunday, not too many people are around. More onthe weekdays.

    So welcome to the board. There are plenty of us here with plenty of background in this nasty malignancy. Hope to hear from you.


    Pat

    Hope you see this, as its the best I can do without being able to send you a PM.
  • buellman91
    buellman91 Member Posts: 32
    dclear14 said:

    Nazareth (Bushkill Township)
    No plans for surgery. They hope to catch it all with the chemo/rads first time around. They did say if for some reason there are any nodes left over that might not have completely responded to treatment, they will perform surgery to remove what is left.
    Denise

    First day reactions
    How did Robert make out today? As I said before,I had radiation in 2006 but this is my first chemo and this was my first of the 35 rads today. I fell great but had to go to an emergency visit to the hospital yesterday afternoon cause my PEG was jammed in to my gut too far and was burning. My doctor's PA pulled it out and gave me Anti's and I am feeling better.Got way to much verbal and printed info between running back and forth to the bathroom today.
    Did Dave get through the mask OK?
    Bill and Jennifere
  • dclear14
    dclear14 Member Posts: 36

    First day reactions
    How did Robert make out today? As I said before,I had radiation in 2006 but this is my first chemo and this was my first of the 35 rads today. I fell great but had to go to an emergency visit to the hospital yesterday afternoon cause my PEG was jammed in to my gut too far and was burning. My doctor's PA pulled it out and gave me Anti's and I am feeling better.Got way to much verbal and printed info between running back and forth to the bathroom today.
    Did Dave get through the mask OK?
    Bill and Jennifere

    glad your better
    Robert is finishing up his second week on Monday. He is doing okay, but has lost his taste. Playing around with different types of foods to help him, butter seems to come through for him. Other than that he is still driving himself to treatment and going to work in between. Thanks for posting and maybe you and Robert will meet up at some point.

    Best,

    Denise