Some symptoms I have a question on. ?

Tim6003
Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello All.

I wanted to ask a question if I may?

I think I have been doing great. I finished rads on January 20, 2012 and all of my scans and monthly scopes / finger exams have come back normal / NED.

I have been out cutting wood (to the tune of four cords now. A cord of wood is 4ft deep, 4ft tall and 8ft long) ....I feel great when I am outdoors cutting (and splitting) the wood. I just finsished hunting season, no, did not get my Elk or Buck :( ..... I was carrying a 60lb pack up hills and through the forest, I never felt better. I have my next scan on November 8th (CT w/ Contrast)

Here's my symptom lately. I feel "flushed". I feel like I have a low-grade fever, but when I check it I don't. My mouth looks good inside, I feel no lumps anywhere...but at the end of the day AND during the day I have this "flushed" feeling. My late evening I do feel somewhat tired (which one would think is normal) ...but that nagging "flush" feeling stays with me (which seems to be new). I feel a little scratchy in my throat, but I speak and eat normal as far as I am concerned. The biggest thing I have is this dag-gum choking sensation like someone is squeezing my throat...especially at the front part to the left where you button your top collar button.

Any feedback? Anyone else get this? And I guess the final question would be this: Once we start to feel as good as I have felt, would or could the rads still cause us to have a little "down" spurt?

Thanks all in advance.

Best,

Tim

Comments

  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #2
    I always forget to add something ....
    I have a pretty good size hernia (umbilical I think he said) ...I have surgery on that November 13th ....I would think this would have nothing to do with all that .....

    I feel kind of petty asking my question(s) which seem so petty compared to all we go through ...I hope no one thinks I don't appreciate where I am at ...

    Tim
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    Tim6003 said:

    I always forget to add something ....
    I have a pretty good size hernia (umbilical I think he said) ...I have surgery on that November 13th ....I would think this would have nothing to do with all that .....

    I feel kind of petty asking my question(s) which seem so petty compared to all we go through ...I hope no one thinks I don't appreciate where I am at ...

    Tim

    How's your blood pressure??
    That's the only thing I can think of that might make you feel flushed...or "flushy" :). Well that, and the fact that your body has just been thru hell, and you're doing some mighty hefty work....gathering wood is a LOT of work...and hunting (tho fun) isn't easy either.

    Matt, Tim lives up in dem dar mountains...I'm thinking he might need 6 or 7 cords of wood....winter comes early and stays late.

    p
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #4
    Flushed feelings
    Tim,
    I too get this during any time of the day. Have asked about it and not given any good answer. I think it could be related to B/P...on any meds for this ? I would ask about it just because. We use to cut and sell wood (loggers cords) for many years....so it's awesome to hear your able to do this ! My 14 yr. old grand daughter got her first deer on Saturday. She is such a girlie girl...I can't believe it ! Good luck with the hernia surgery, and let us know on that CT, will be sending out prayers and positive thoughts for both ! You sound like your doing fantastic ! Katie
  • AJW1966
    AJW1966 Member Posts: 68
    #5
    Hi Tim
    I've been researching this type cancer for several months or longer almost every day.
    What might be happening is fibrosis affecting the carotid artery. Many folks have complained that neck fibrosis continues building for up to 2 maybe 3 years later or longer. Some needed stents put into their carotid artery because they have had up to 60% blockage. Maybe check with your cardiologist?

    I hope it's a simple fix for you.
    God Bless
  • George_Baltimore
    George_Baltimore Member Posts: 303
    #6
    AJW1966 said:

    Hi Tim
    I've been researching this type cancer for several months or longer almost every day.
    What might be happening is fibrosis affecting the carotid artery. Many folks have complained that neck fibrosis continues building for up to 2 maybe 3 years later or longer. Some needed stents put into their carotid artery because they have had up to 60% blockage. Maybe check with your cardiologist?

    I hope it's a simple fix for you.
    God Bless

    From your symptoms it sounds like you are going through
    men-o-pause. LOL. Actually Alan, the new kid on the block, expressed the same thing I was going to suggest. Sounds like it may be fibrosis starting in the neck. If you have been seen by a speech/swallow therapist, ask them for the neck exercises to do. Don't wait until your neck becomes rock hard all over like I did. I just started treatments with a chiropractor yesterday called the Graston Technique. Ouch, ouch and ouch. My neck is bruised today but, if it works to break up the years of fibrosis, it will be worth it.
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #7
    George_Baltimore said:

    From your symptoms it sounds like you are going through
    men-o-pause. LOL. Actually Alan, the new kid on the block, expressed the same thing I was going to suggest. Sounds like it may be fibrosis starting in the neck. If you have been seen by a speech/swallow therapist, ask them for the neck exercises to do. Don't wait until your neck becomes rock hard all over like I did. I just started treatments with a chiropractor yesterday called the Graston Technique. Ouch, ouch and ouch. My neck is bruised today but, if it works to break up the years of fibrosis, it will be worth it.

    Great stuff ....why I love you all :)
    Hmmm...never thought of blood pressure (but it's always been spot on since after treatments 120/80) ...where it used to be high when I was 320lbs....now at 240lbs it's not...but the artery thickening thing....my neck along the arteries does seems harder to me?? I will check it out.

    I like to print these threads of different discussions ....so I will do that and take you all with me when I see my Onc. and ENT (don't you know they just love to see me coming) ;)

    Thanks all ....

    Keep me tucked in your pockets for November 8th CT w/ Contrast scan and if you don't mind a again November 12 & 13 for my colonoscopy and hernia surery (was suppose to happen Oct. but we had a snafu).

    Best,

    Tim
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    Tim6003 said:

    Great stuff ....why I love you all :)
    Hmmm...never thought of blood pressure (but it's always been spot on since after treatments 120/80) ...where it used to be high when I was 320lbs....now at 240lbs it's not...but the artery thickening thing....my neck along the arteries does seems harder to me?? I will check it out.

    I like to print these threads of different discussions ....so I will do that and take you all with me when I see my Onc. and ENT (don't you know they just love to see me coming) ;)

    Thanks all ....

    Keep me tucked in your pockets for November 8th CT w/ Contrast scan and if you don't mind a again November 12 & 13 for my colonoscopy and hernia surery (was suppose to happen Oct. but we had a snafu).

    Best,

    Tim

    Consider yourself "tucked"
    You'll be in many pockets for your upcoming scan...

    p
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #9
    phrannie51 said:

    Consider yourself "tucked"
    You'll be in many pockets for your upcoming scan...

    p

    Tim
    No answers for flushed feeling but chopping and lifting all that wood could certainly account for the hernia!
  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    #10
    I FEEL FLUSHED
    I thought we were talking about the kids and your toilets again. Glad others figured this out and answered your questions. You will be in our prayers Tim for your up coming test and surgeries.
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #11
    ditto1 said:

    I FEEL FLUSHED
    I thought we were talking about the kids and your toilets again. Glad others figured this out and answered your questions. You will be in our prayers Tim for your up coming test and surgeries.

    LOL... Ditto ...
    You and the others (Matt with the drinking) and the comment about menopause ...crack me up. :) Who knew we had such comedians amongst our ranks... :):)

    Tim
  • VanessaSLO
    VanessaSLO Member Posts: 283
    #12
    Tim6003 said:

    LOL... Ditto ...
    You and the others (Matt with the drinking) and the comment about menopause ...crack me up. :) Who knew we had such comedians amongst our ranks... :):)

    Tim

    November - important month...
    I will be strongly praying for your upcoming scans and hernia surgery! It is obviously important month as some people here on this board have check-ups/scans... Also my dad has his first check-up on November 21st.

    Well, I didn't answer to your original question (I'm just like my Mother - she tells a loooong story before she even starts to make a point :-)). I don't have the experience about this - my Dad is way behind you, but others gave you good advice and suggestions so I hope and believe that you will resolve this. And again, a lot of prayers coming your way for this month.

    V.
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #13
    Is the wood split?
    Hi Tim,

    So you feel flushed? Have you checked your blood pressure?

    I don’t know why you feel flushed, but I blame most of my physical changes on radiation treatments. The Erbitux has a short half life the rads are more permanent (I think).

    My throat still feels funky, kind of like it is smaller, but what I really think is it is less flexible, less accommodating. I still get little quick coughs, especially when eating, sometimes when swallowing and occasionally when (not being careful) when drinking water.

    If your pictures are an indicator of health, I think you are there, you look good and you look happy. Let see a person (abi-normal or normal) usually burns 1 cord of wood per month, so you must just about have enough for this winter

    Take care of your self

    Matt
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #14
    VanessaSLO said:

    November - important month...
    I will be strongly praying for your upcoming scans and hernia surgery! It is obviously important month as some people here on this board have check-ups/scans... Also my dad has his first check-up on November 21st.

    Well, I didn't answer to your original question (I'm just like my Mother - she tells a loooong story before she even starts to make a point :-)). I don't have the experience about this - my Dad is way behind you, but others gave you good advice and suggestions so I hope and believe that you will resolve this. And again, a lot of prayers coming your way for this month.

    V.

    Tim,
    I have this flush
    Tim,

    I have this flush feeling also. I have asked docs with no good answer!

    It helped to eat cooling things in summmer like cucumbers, watermelon but in winter nothing helps!

    Do let me know if you find any more info.

    Thanks,
    Sam
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #15
    Sam999 said:

    Tim,
    I have this flush
    Tim,

    I have this flush feeling also. I have asked docs with no good answer!

    It helped to eat cooling things in summmer like cucumbers, watermelon but in winter nothing helps!

    Do let me know if you find any more info.

    Thanks,
    Sam

    Thanks Vanessa and Sam ...
    I appreciate those prayer Vanessa, really I do ...

    Sam, I'm sorry you have that ...but I find it interesting knowing another H&N warrior has the same thing....kind of (hope that does not sound mean) ...comparing notes often times is all we have, but a way to learn as well.

    I will see what the docs say ...and if they give me an answer, I will share with you!

    Tim
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #16
    George_Baltimore said:

    From your symptoms it sounds like you are going through
    men-o-pause. LOL. Actually Alan, the new kid on the block, expressed the same thing I was going to suggest. Sounds like it may be fibrosis starting in the neck. If you have been seen by a speech/swallow therapist, ask them for the neck exercises to do. Don't wait until your neck becomes rock hard all over like I did. I just started treatments with a chiropractor yesterday called the Graston Technique. Ouch, ouch and ouch. My neck is bruised today but, if it works to break up the years of fibrosis, it will be worth it.

    Graston Technique?
    Please let us know how it goes, George. I, too, have tightness/firmness/weirdness in my neck.
  • luvofmylif
    luvofmylif Member Posts: 344
    #17
    Tim6003 said:

    Thanks Vanessa and Sam ...
    I appreciate those prayer Vanessa, really I do ...

    Sam, I'm sorry you have that ...but I find it interesting knowing another H&N warrior has the same thing....kind of (hope that does not sound mean) ...comparing notes often times is all we have, but a way to learn as well.

    I will see what the docs say ...and if they give me an answer, I will share with you!

    Tim

    good luck with your CT scan
    good luck with your CT scan tomorrow. Will be praying for good results.

    Joan
  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913
    #18
    Always tucked.....
    Tim,

    You will always be tucked in my book! Especially on November 8,12&13th!I don't have any advice on the "flushing", as we're dealing with the "thrushing" right now because we're way behind you, but I'm sure you will get to the bottom of it.

    Will be thinking and praying for you and to also keep your mind at ease.

    Cris
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #19
    cureitall66 said:

    Always tucked.....
    Tim,

    You will always be tucked in my book! Especially on November 8,12&13th!I don't have any advice on the "flushing", as we're dealing with the "thrushing" right now because we're way behind you, but I'm sure you will get to the bottom of it.

    Will be thinking and praying for you and to also keep your mind at ease.

    Cris

    thanks you guys.....
    Means a lot to this old moose :)

    Tim
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #20
    Tim6003 said:

    thanks you guys.....
    Means a lot to this old moose :)

    Tim

    Hey Tim,
    Thinking of you today...

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