One more day

Tonsil Dad
Tonsil Dad Member Posts: 488
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Well, one more day to go before I start my treatment. Thursday at 1:30
I have my 1st radiation session (IMRT). I met with the Chemo Dr today and
He told me I was STILL aT20n0m. A CT scan last week shown no signifcent
Change in size and for the first time he told me it was hpv+
Which my wife looked at me funny (22years married). He said being hpv+ it
Responds to the treatment better, he then OFFERED a lower dose chemo to
Soften the tumor and make it easier for the radiation, but said I didn't really
Need it but he wanted to offer it. I declined his offer and said we would keep it
In reserve if needed later.
So all being well I will be going down that road that many of you wonderful
People have gone down or going down, so best whishes to all.

God Bless each and everyone.

Tonsil Dad.

Dan.

Comments

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #2
    You will do fine
    The IMRT is painless in process and the first day will be a whirlwind for you. Get to know your technicians. Your wife can watch the procedure on the tech's screen and then be an informed observer to your inquiries from a clear vantage point. The longest journey begins with baby steps. Heres hoping the power doesn't go out and you have an uneventful first day. Good mojo your way, Dan!
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    G'day Dan
    Got you covered in prayer my friend

    God bless and hold you from the start to the finish
    Hondo
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #4
    You will do just fine!
    In fact, we look forward to 'glowing' reports from you.

    Deb
  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    #5
    Let the games begin!
    Hi Dan,
    It doesn't matter how we got here, what matter is how we handle it. Besides your medical team you have a lot of brothers and sisters on your side. Keep the faith, never give up and know we are pulling for you. Josh r.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    Chemo...
    Personally, from all that I have read, some types of concurrent chemo does tend to allow the radiation to work better..., but there are never any guarantees.

    Of the four types of chemo that I had during treatment, none have lasted as for residual.

    But....

    My thoughts are with you tomorrow and the next few weeks, as well as the positive power of all of these survivors before you.

    Best,
    John
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #7
    today will be anticlimactic
    and so will the days after this, for a while. So eat everything you ever wanted to right now. Oncce the old taste buds start to go, it will take awhile to enjoy that steak again. Glad to hear there's been no significant change in tumor I know you were worried about that.

    It's all good, every day gets you closer to being through with this.

    Pat
  • Klynten
    Klynten Member Posts: 29
    #8
    ratface said:

    You will do fine
    The IMRT is painless in process and the first day will be a whirlwind for you. Get to know your technicians. Your wife can watch the procedure on the tech's screen and then be an informed observer to your inquiries from a clear vantage point. The longest journey begins with baby steps. Heres hoping the power doesn't go out and you have an uneventful first day. Good mojo your way, Dan!

    power going out
    why is it, I have a read about a lot of peoples power going out on the first day. It sure did for me. Just a funny comment about hoping the power going out, had to post
    Clinton
    PS. you will do fine, the technicians are your life saver, they get the doc and monitor everything and are, in my opinion, little angels

    God bless and gods speed
    Clinton
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #9
    Dan
    As someone wrote get to know your techs they are a world of help...mine were great and after seeing them every day, 5 days a week for 7 1/2 weeks they get to be like family. Best wishes for you during your treatments.

    Linda
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #10
    Called
    my doctor called the added chemo "more bang for the buck". i like the idea of chemo softening the cancer and radiation hammering the hell out of the cancer. i agree they are having better results when hpv . still the lower does of chemo is not a huge risk with long term side affects and may be a good addition to the bang you get from radiation. i am not certain but doing chemo not does not take away doing more chemo at a latter day option.

    prayers going out for you and your wonderful caregiver for weeks of treatment and then months of recovery.

    Congrats to you mr. Survivor!

    john
  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #11
    fisrpotpe said:

    Called
    my doctor called the added chemo "more bang for the buck". i like the idea of chemo softening the cancer and radiation hammering the hell out of the cancer. i agree they are having better results when hpv . still the lower does of chemo is not a huge risk with long term side affects and may be a good addition to the bang you get from radiation. i am not certain but doing chemo not does not take away doing more chemo at a latter day option.

    prayers going out for you and your wonderful caregiver for weeks of treatment and then months of recovery.

    Congrats to you mr. Survivor!

    john

    So Far So Good
    I ended up being just a little ahead of you for the RT. Mine started last Wednesday so I've had 6 zaps so far. Most of your time will be driving there and back. My session is 12 minutes long and I'm in and out. The techs are great and will help with any side effects. So far I haven't felt anything and the mask doesn't bother me a bit.

    Hope it all goes well for you and let's get this treatment over with!

    Tommy O

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