The Beginning

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  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341
    #22
    Joanielo said:

    Working
    Did any of you continue to work at the beginning of your treatments? How long after the treatments ended before you felt like returning to work?

    not working
    you've come to the right place.
    your dx is the same as mine, but they didn't yank my tonsils. there are lots of us SCC Tonsil warriors here.

    re work, I'm retired. but I've a pretty good idea that my work would still be limited, three months after treatments. major reasons:

    3. first month after tx: mucous and constant spitting. not to beat around the bush, but it was not socially acceptable. ;-)
    2. dry, sore mouth. even now, my throat is constantly parched, and I can't be away from a water source. and I'd rather not talk, if I can get away with it.

    1. fatigue. the big one. I lost a lot of weight and muscle mass, and don't have anywhere near the energy that I used to. I sleep a lot. a walk in the woods gasses me. until I get my weight and muscle back, energy and stamina will be an issue.

    best wishes to you!
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #23
    WELCOME
    Like others say, "welcome to the group no one wants to be a member of." It's OK to be scared, confused, angry, ETC. We have all been there, and we lean on each other for what we need from this group.

    I'm here for the 2nd time, and may be leaning on you for support.

    God bless

    Best

    Mike
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #24
    Joanielo said:

    Working
    Did any of you continue to work at the beginning of your treatments? How long after the treatments ended before you felt like returning to work?

    Worked From Home During Tx...
    I worked from home all through treatment..

    I'm a computer guy, do nothing strenuous though, that would have zapped me.

    I wasn't on a strict regime' either, not like 7 - 3:30 each day... I did my 40+ hours a week when I felt good and didn't have something medically going on.

    I worked home eight months or so, returning to the office half anhalf for a month, then in office full time after that.

    JG
  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    #25
    luv4lacrosse said:

    WELCOME
    Like others say, "welcome to the group no one wants to be a member of." It's OK to be scared, confused, angry, ETC. We have all been there, and we lean on each other for what we need from this group.

    I'm here for the 2nd time, and may be leaning on you for support.

    God bless

    Best

    Mike

    Welcome
    sorry you have to go thru this, but we will all be here for you. I had BOT Stage IV 2 lymphnodes. Went thru 2 Cisplantin and 9 Erbitux as well as 33 RADS. I made it thru ok, some very bad days but most were doable. I elected to retire since I had that option. Not sure if previously mentioned but the SUPER THREAD is the 1st post on the H&N site, it has great information to cover almost any concerns you may have. You will be in our prayers.
  • Hard12Find
    Hard12Find Member Posts: 218 Member
    #26
    Joan
    I had actually written you a nice reply earlier but lost it due to poor Internet. I wanted to let you know, I have nearly the same condition, except nodes on both sides of the neck. I am nearing my second week of treatment, with no unanticipated or overly severe side effects. I have been struggling with food and water not tasting right, and that has been hard for me to adjust to. I have begun I supplementing through my peg but still dropping weight. My first round of chemo I asked for erbittex, and had a pretty severe headache for most of the next day but no naseau. On the in instance of my radiation oncologist my second round was cisplatin, and even with all the anti naseau meds, I have felt poorly, tired and mildly nauseated.
    You will find everyone here to be very supportive and helpful. Eat while you can, rest when you can, take help when it is offered. Stay strong, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Remember this is bigger than any one person can handle alone......
    I am only a couple weeks ahead of you on this journey, and look forward to our NED posts in a few weeks.
    Jim
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #27
    Same
    My diagnosis was the same as yours but on the right side..tonsil removed last June. Started chemo aug 8th; cisplatin, taxatore, 5fu, 1 treatment every 21 days. Started rads Nov 1, 7 1/2 weeks, plus for every week of rads 1 treatment of carboplatin...I was one of the fortunate ones, didn't have a lot if any of the serious side effects some folks here had...stay positive, have a good support system, be proactive, ask questions . I'm 10 months out of treatment, working full time, some minor dry mouth issues, eating well...it's doable, one day at a time, and before you know it treatments will be over. You found a great site here, ask questions, there will always be someone here that can answer you.

    Good luck , blessings.

    Linda
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #28
    Hello, Joanielo
    We run the gamut, here. Some are out of work for over a year. Some work throughout treatment.

    Hoping you're one of the folks who can work the entire time.
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #29
    Pam M said:

    Hello, Joanielo
    We run the gamut, here. Some are out of work for over a year. Some work throughout treatment.

    Hoping you're one of the folks who can work the entire time.

    Hi Joanielo
    Once I started radiation/chemo I did not work until 6 weeks after my last tx. Hope your journey is uneventful.

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