Hi, this is my first post.

Johnny H
Johnny H Member Posts: 3
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

 

I was diagnosed on May 9, 2013 with Squamous Carcinoma of the left tonsil pillar. I started treatment on June 19th and I have had 12 of the prescribed 35 radiation treatments so far. No chemo as the pathologist said mine was in the very early stages.

 

So far I can eat but it’s a job. I eat soft stuff like cream of wheat and my taste is gone except for a weird paint like taste that everything has. I try to stay hydrated and use the prescription magic mouthwash and hydrocodone for pain.

 

I am taking my treatments at Forsyth Hospital’s Davis Cancer Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. About a hour and a half drive for me one way.

 

I’ve been reading and lurking since my diagnosis and decided to introduce myself.

 

That’s all for now.

 

Johnny

 

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Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    Howdy

    Johnny,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry you find the need to be here and 43% of our members are past lurkers (so you fit right in).

    I jest with you because you sound like you are handling treatments well.  It is all about your body adapting to change (and rads, ouch).

    Eating will most likely become more of a challenge, but if you can handle it “more power to you” .  Remember, keep swallowing and drinking water, one of the easiest and most difficult things to do.

    Best,

    Matt

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    Heeeey....Johnny!!

    Glad to hear you've been lurking....so you have been able to check up on what all may (or may not) happen during your treatments.  You're about 1/3 done, so my guess is that the "paint taste" will soon dindle down to no taste at all.   You sound like you're doing pretty darn good so far.  Just keep the nutrition and the hydration flowing, and before you know it you'll be ringing that bell.

    Somebody must have shook the "lurker tree"....LOL....another one fell out tonight, too.

    p

  • dunedintech
    dunedintech Member Posts: 90
    #4
    Welcome

    Nice work on being 1/3 of the way through. As mentioned the hydration is critical but sounds like you have that under control. I am 13 weeks post treatment (chemo / radiation) and things are starting to come back online including taste.

    Hang in there and go well.

     

     

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #5
    Well on the way

    Welcome Johnny

    your well on your way to continued years of survival, sounds like the lurking is helping. 

    at your stage of treatment i appears you on track with the most on how they are reacting to treatment. prayers going out they continue to be some what bearablem. 

    nice to have you pop out and say hey

    john 

     

  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #6
    Hello there, Johnny

    Welcome and CONGRATS on doing so well at this stage of the journey.

    You sound like you have a really good handle on things.  As others have said, the "paint" taste will soon give way to "no" taste, but that also means you are getting closer and closer to the light at the end of the tunnel.

    I hope you continue to do well and please come on here and ask any questions you might have.

    In the meantime, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !!!

     

  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #7
    Hi

    Hi johnny

    glad you hear you are doing well.  My dad was diagnosed with scc of the tonsil and we went to wake forest baptist medical center in Winston Salem For follow up care. We received wonderful care.  This site has great people and more information than you can get in the medicl field! Beat of wishes to you and continued healing.

    michelle

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    Welcome Johnny...

    I was STGIII Tonsils and went through similar treatment (with chemo)....

    Glad you decided to stop in and say Hello, and introduce yourself...

    Sounds like you are doing well and well informed..., staying hydrated and keeping the calories in are a huge plus.

    Best,

    John

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #9
    Hi Johnny,
    Glad that you are

    Hi Johnny,

    Glad that you are making it through these treatments!  I get on here to support my dad who was diagnosed with cancer of the sinus and one lymph node affected.  He's going through 35 radiations (has 13 left) and 1 chemo (out of 3) left.  Unfortunately, I watched his taste completely go right after the first few weeks.  My suggestions to you is to eat anythign you can and even ensure if you can get it down.  Stay hydrated as that is really important as well.  I'll be praying that treatment isn't too rough on you and that you heal quickly!

    Cherie

  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #10
    welcome to the

    club no one really wants to belong to~~~my cancer was on my epiglottis, I had the divinci robotic surgery on November 2,2011. I was very blessed that no lymph nodes were involved and I didn't have to have chemo or radiation~~~for a year, I ate nothing but soft foods and drank ensure,boost. I had to learn to swallow and to talk again..with the help of my wonderful team at The James in Columbus Oh, I did it! Now, 1 year 8 months out, I am eating everything, my voice is clear and strong, I still suffer with some annoying mucus, but I deal with it. Good luck as you travel this journey. This board is full of awesome,knowledgable survivors that will help you beat the beast. Prayers to you~~

  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    #11
    Done lurking

    Hi Johnny,

    If this wonderful sight had been available in 1991 when I was going through treatment I probably would have "lurked artound" for a while also. I had stage iv scc and went through rads and loads of chemo and I am still moving right a long like so many of our "brothers and sisters" and have no plans of stopping any time soon. You have received wonderful advise and support and just remember it takes time and faith. We are here for each other. Sending you all the best, josh r.

  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    #12
    Done lurking

    Hi Johnny,

    If this wonderful sight had been available in 1991 when I was going through treatment I probably would have "lurked artound" for a while also. I had stage iv scc and went through rads and loads of chemo and I am still moving right a long like so many of our "brothers and sisters" and have no plans of stopping any time soon. You have received wonderful advise and support and just remember it takes time and faith. We are here for each other. Sending you all the best, josh r.

  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    #13
    Done lurking

    Hi Johnny,

    If this wonderful sight had been available in 1991 when I was going through treatment I probably would have "lurked artound" for a while also. I had stage iv scc and went through rads and loads of chemo and I am still moving right a long like so many of our "brothers and sisters" and have no plans of stopping any time soon. You have received wonderful advise and support and just remember it takes time and faith. We are here for each other. Sending you all the best, josh r.

  • rachel12yrsuv
    rachel12yrsuv Member Posts: 435
    #14
     
    Hi Johnny, as i am sure you

     

    Hi Johnny, as i am sure you will hear quite a few times... WELCOME TO THE CLUB NOBODY WANTS TO JOIN!  Sounds like your handing your treatments well, and congratulations on your early stage, even alot of us survived at higher stages myself 3 and it will be 13 yrs Sept. 28,2013, all of us would have rather heard they caught it early, so again KUDOS to you and the Lord watching over you!  If you have questions feel free to ask, alot of smart, helpful and caring peoplr on our site.  Good luck and God bless you that you may continue through your treatments no worse off then today, in Jesus' name I pray Amen

     

    take care, Rachel

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #15
    Welcome Johnny

    What they all said...  Just keep on keepin on, putting one foot in front of the other, staying ahead of the side effects,

    Deb

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #16
    I'm sorry

    You have to be here but WELCOME!!!! I'm right outside of Charlotte NC, not too far from Winston either! 

  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    #17
    TracyLynn72 said:

    I'm sorry

    You have to be here but WELCOME!!!! I'm right outside of Charlotte NC, not too far from Winston either! 

    WELCOME JOHNNY

    Lots of good & smart people here to help you through this tough treatment.  Just ask and you'll get answers.

    Hate to welcome you, but this is a great spot to be when going through treatment for this crap.

    All the best, Steve

  • Johnny H
    Johnny H Member Posts: 3
    #18
    Thanks for the warm welcome I

    have been having trouble getting logged back in to post or I would have replied sooner. Laughing

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #19
    Johnny H said:

    Thanks for the warm welcome I

    have been having trouble getting logged back in to post or I would have replied sooner. Laughing

    Yep...

    The site has been terrible lately ...

    Hopefully that has been resilved with some majr work yesterday and very late last night...

    So far so good..., fingers crossed.

    John

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #20
    Nice to Meet You

    I finished radiation three years ago.  Clean checkups.  Do well.

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #21
    Nice to Meet You

    I finished radiation three years ago.  Clean checkups.  Do well.

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