Hello and intraduction..

Tony,

Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you find a need to be here.

It sounds like you and your team have a good plan and are getting started on ridding you of this thing.  Chances are in around 2 months rads and chemo will be behind you.  For now you may want to check out the Superthrerad for valuable information (it can be found as first post on home H&N page).

As questions pop up feel free to ask, we have a lot of “hands on” experience here.  You r wife is more than welcome too, caregivers make-up a major part of our clan.

What you have is very curable, so try to maintain a survivor’s attitude.

Remember, head off nausea, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, use your PEG as needed for nourishment and don’t forget to swallow.

It will be alright, you will be ok.

Matt

I too was STG III SCC Right Tonsil and a Lymphnode involved...

Tonsils out, port installed....sixteen weeks of four types of chemo and the pretty much standard 35 daily rads...

That all started January 2009, and I've been clean and clear since finishing up treatment, four years ago yesterday...18JUN2009.

You'll make it through, and in a year or so this will all seem like a bad dream...

Best,

John

Ingrid K said:

Welcome

Tony

Welcome to the group.  You've already heard from the Welcoming Committee (Matt, LTS and Skiff).

We are all survivors who have walked the trail ahead of you....some of us more than once.

The treatment sucks big time,  but it is doable.  As Matt said, read the Superthread.  It is full of good advice, tips on coping with the chemo and radiation, things you should have on hand, things you can try to eat, etc.

It sounds like your team has a sound plan and has given you everything you need (before you need it).  Many of us are pros with things like trachs, ports and PEGs......just ask us.

Make the move to be by the hospital.  It will make the whole thing much easier on you and your wife in the long run.

You are also fortunate to have a loving caregiver and family by your side.  I know that I would not be here today without my hubby of 19 years and my golden retriever of 6.

I also sent you a private message regarding finding me on Facebook if you'd like.

Wishing you the best,

Ingrid

 

 

Also sorry you had to find us but glad you did. I was very fortunate to have a satellite tx center a block or two from my house.  It's a difficult journey without adding travel time everyday or relocation. I hope your journey is an easy one with few side effects. You can read the super thread about the side effects but will find that you don't get all of them and they come in varying degrees. I never experienced nausea but I took the anti-nausea meds as prescribed. Hydration and nutrition are key! That's a great task to put your wife and mother in charge of.  

God bless,

Candi in St Louis

Hi Tony,

As you have found here, you are not alone! I am a caregiver to my loved one that was dx in Aug 2012. His dx was SCC BOT (base of tongue), with lymph node involvement (all same side), HPV16+, Stage IV. His tx was 7 wks Rads (Daily) and Chemo (Carboplatin & Paclitaxel) (once weekly). No surgery. PEG was inserted during the middle of tx as he lost a great deal of weight. Tx ended at the end of November and scan in February showed NED (No Evidence of Disease).

You will find this tx is hard, but is completely doable. When the going gets rough, be sure to check in with us (or your caregiver) and we can help any way we can. You will also get many longer time survivors that chime in from time to time....they are the blessing for all of us newer folks and are very helpful in keeping us all positive. It seems this forum tends to keep a lot of the same folks around to give back and help the ones coming in.

You will have a good outcome! Come here for peace and a lift whenever you need it!

~C

Hey Tony, hate to welcome you to the family, but you came to the right place for good people, lots of support and great advice as most of us speak from experience . I also was diagniosed with scc with spreading to the nodes stage4a. I live in Oklahoma City and would be more than happy to visit with you or keep you company during chemo.  Very smart move getting the PEG and port! I personally had my PEG replaced with a Mic-key button after the first month . You will be a lot more comfortable. The Mic-Key saved my life as I couldn't eat for 3 months. I would love to tell you it's easy but I would be lying. You are in for a tough battle my friend but you came to the right place. Feel free to call me , my number is 405.501.4496. Head up, stay positive And trust God! 

In Christ, Kevin