Treatment

Guzzle · April 2014

Friends, I start next Tue (bank holiday in UK) with a days chemo and radiotherapy and and overnight stay. Then its day patient for 6 weeks with another days chemo in the middle and at the end. I just want to thank all the wonderful people on this site who have helped me prepare. Over the years I have come to expect this from Americans which is why I value the friendship of lots of good mates in the US. Even given this you are a special,giving and generous bunch. What is uplifting is how much humour we have found in the face of adversity. I will write down the tech details and post next week as I know some of you will be able to translate for me. Looks like they are seeing if I can grind it out without a tube. Here we go. Had a curry last night. Got the Liverpool FC game and a few beers sun. Last run before treatment Mon. Sorry it took such a nasty situation to meet such nice people. All the best to you and yours, G.

KB56 · April 2014

Treatment

Guzzle, good luck as you start treatment and like I told my friends and family last year (I am exactly 1 year ahead of you on treatement as my chemo/radiation started last year on 4/24 after healing from the tonsillectomy that was on 4/1), you can't get this behind you until you get started. Keep that positive attitude and follow the advice that you recieved on this site as far as hydration, pain management and nourishment, and June will be here before you know it and you will be finished. You will have some pretty tough weeks ahead of you but stay strong, lean on friends and family, and this part of the journey will be behind you before you know it.

Also, this isn't the first time our friends in the UK have asked us for help and we came to the rescue and bailed you guys out:) Good luck to you and keep the faith! You will be fine!

Wishing you all the best,

Keith

Guzzle · April 2014

KB56 said:
Treatment
Guzzle, good luck as you start treatment and like I told my friends and family last year (I am exactly 1 year ahead of you on treatement as my chemo/radiation started last year on 4/24 after healing from the tonsillectomy that was on 4/1), you can't get this behind you until you get started. Keep that positive attitude and follow the advice that you recieved on this site as far as hydration, pain management and nourishment, and June will be here before you know it and you will be finished. You will have some pretty tough weeks ahead of you but stay strong, lean on friends and family, and this part of the journey will be behind you before you know it.

Also, this isn't the first time our friends in the UK have asked us for help and we came to the rescue and bailed you guys out:) Good luck to you and keep the faith! You will be fine!

Wishing you all the best,

Keith

cheers mate

Keith, don't think we ever forget the sacrafice Americans made and that America could have chosen not to. I have many buddies in the military. If they have to go to war they would rather stand shoulder to shoulder with your countrymen and women than anybody else. We have just commemorated the Hillsborough tragedy here but the Boston bombings were also foremost in our minds a year on. Brits know we have much more in common with the US than with Europe. Maybe we should become a state! Hopingfor an LFC win this weekend and a few beers. Easter food. Then right into treatment. Must go shopping for that electric razor! Hope you and yours enjoy Easter weekend. Weather actually good here for the moment. Fingers crossed there is nothing nasty lurking out in the Irish Sea.

CivilMatt · April 2014

almost starting

Guzzle,

Well, I don’t need to tell you to drink, but I want to tell you to drink plenty of water and swallow till your ears pop. That was the best advice I received from the H&N clan before I started treatments (minus the ears popping).

Here’s to a smooth ride,

Matt

Duggie88 · April 2014

Guz

I am counting on you to kick some butt. Time to shanker down and don't let the bas--rd up for air. You can do this and we are here to cheer ya on. I'm given ya a drum roll.

Jeff

denistd · April 2014

Duggie88 said:
Guz
I am counting on you to kick some butt. Time to shanker down and don't let the bas--rd up for air. You can do this and we are here to cheer ya on. I'm given ya a drum roll.

Jeff

treatment

hey there scouser lad, enjoy the beer this weekend, will start to taste lousy after a few blasts of radio to the jaw area. I found that propped up in my bed helped keep the mucus down for sleeping, just made a wedge out of two pillows and fell asleep. Are you getting Cisplatin for the chemo or what, it is importane to know what it is as to what the side effects will do. I took a drug called emend about an hour before chemo and for two days after chemo, did not get the bad nausea, it's a great drug. As everybody has said stay fed and hydrated, I would drink a ton of water during the day and still do. You have to protect your kidneys from the chemo, hence the water. Hopefully they will have LFC on here over the weekend. West Ham sucks right now, I could not watch them against Arsenal. Denis

GavinP · April 2014

denistd said:
treatment
hey there scouser lad, enjoy the beer this weekend, will start to taste lousy after a few blasts of radio to the jaw area. I found that propped up in my bed helped keep the mucus down for sleeping, just made a wedge out of two pillows and fell asleep. Are you getting Cisplatin for the chemo or what, it is importane to know what it is as to what the side effects will do. I took a drug called emend about an hour before chemo and for two days after chemo, did not get the bad nausea, it's a great drug. As everybody has said stay fed and hydrated, I would drink a ton of water during the day and still do. You have to protect your kidneys from the chemo, hence the water. Hopefully they will have LFC on here over the weekend. West Ham sucks right now, I could not watch them against Arsenal. Denis

Hello from another Brit...

Good luck with your treatment and enjoy "beer and curry night"

Your going to do great. I've been reading your threads and your positive attitude will see you through. The fact you are so physically active/fit will be a HUGE benefit as well, IMO.

You'll have this thing beat in no time given your PMA.

And as you say, the folks here are great, so keep in touch. We'll be with you all the way.

Gav

phrannie51 · April 2014

I can hear that drum roll

all the way to Montana. You're going to do well, I think.....you have the kick-azz attitude, and can-do thinking that it takes to get through this. If you end up needing a tube, well....so be it. "T" (fishmanpa) didn't get his till the last day of radiation.........

p

donfoo · April 2014

u da man!

I think we are cut from the same cloth.

Looks like they are seeing if I can grind it out without a tube

My kind of med experts!

You go brother, hit it face first! You will do great. Just remember every hour HYDRATE - NUTRITION - PAIN MANAGEMENT. check those three and you will avoid the big potholes.

debbiejeanne · April 2014

guzzle, i'm glad you are

guzzle, i'm glad you are getting started so you can get finished!! i know you will do great and come thru this w/few problems. we will all be right there cheering you on. if you listend hard, you will be able to hear us....go Guzzle, go Guzzle! we'll be there if it gets rough too. we're on the sidlines so don't forget that. wishing you the best and can't wait until you ring that bell!!!!

God bless you,

dj

Guzzle · April 2014

debbiejeanne said:
guzzle, i'm glad you are
guzzle, i'm glad you are getting started so you can get finished!! i know you will do great and come thru this w/few problems. we will all be right there cheering you on. if you listend hard, you will be able to hear us....go Guzzle, go Guzzle! we'll be there if it gets rough too. we're on the sidlines so don't forget that. wishing you the best and can't wait until you ring that bell!!!!

God bless you,

dj

Appreciated

Gav, didn't know you were a Brit. We have a small colony here now! Denis, West Ham look like they will stay up but Allardyce plays awful football (soccer). Thanks for all of your marvellous encouragement. I do appreciate it. The hospital is actually 30 miles away which is no distance in US terms but on the chemo days they are keeping me in overnight which will be quite relaxing then discharging me the next day at lunchtime after rads. This will give me a chance to catch up with the team and pick their brains. Beautiful morning here on Merseyside so a run on the beach may be just the thing. Never had so much time on my hands. Don will remember the mantra! Already eating like a racehorse! Will keep you all posted and note exactly what drugs they are giving me. Have a great Easter weekend, Gary.

Guzzle · April 2014

Guzzle said:
Appreciated
Gav, didn't know you were a Brit. We have a small colony here now! Denis, West Ham look like they will stay up but Allardyce plays awful football (soccer). Thanks for all of your marvellous encouragement. I do appreciate it. The hospital is actually 30 miles away which is no distance in US terms but on the chemo days they are keeping me in overnight which will be quite relaxing then discharging me the next day at lunchtime after rads. This will give me a chance to catch up with the team and pick their brains. Beautiful morning here on Merseyside so a run on the beach may be just the thing. Never had so much time on my hands. Don will remember the mantra! Already eating like a racehorse! Will keep you all posted and note exactly what drugs they are giving me. Have a great Easter weekend, Gary.

Ran....

.... The most beautiful day of the year so far. Clear blue skies, no wind (which is unusual on the Irish Sea Coast!) and been for a leisurely 5 miles. Only way I can tell Ive had a neck dissection is a numb ear/neck. Weighing in at 14 stone 5 pounds and will try to put a bit more on ready to come out swinging Tuesday. Objective to get thru therapy and recover to travel to Malta with some Factor 50 3 months post treatment (ambitious!). Secondary to hire a bike and cycle round Gozo whilst there (Very ambitious!). Tertiary objective return to light excercise to recover muscle ASAP post treatment. Gotta aim high!

katenorwood · April 2014

Hey Guzzle

Sounds like you'll be a few days ahead of my brother w/tx's. Pretty similar plan of attack though. I will keep you tuck in the pocket w/prayers and warm thoughts throughout. We'll keep in touch and help you both through. Hugs sent ! Katie

PJ47 · April 2014

Glad you ate curry for me!

I have not had the courage to try it again yet 4 mos. post rads.

I hope you can manage without the tube. Had it but did not use it. Chow down and enjoy your holiday,

PJ

Guzzle · April 2014

PJ47 said:
Glad you ate curry for me!
I have not had the courage to try it again yet 4 mos. post rads.

I hope you can manage without the tube. Had it but did not use it. Chow down and enjoy your holiday,

PJ

Holiday weekend

Here in UK. Lovely weather which is never a fotegone conclusion here! Been to Crosby beach by the Anthony Gormley Ironmen Scuptures ( lovely spot. The installation is called "another place" if you are interested in public art). Katie I will be thi king of your bro' and fire over any tips I pick up. PJ a guy over here got back to curries 2 months post treatment but only mild ones. Curry is a big thing here because of our historic links with India and Pakistan. It is ip there with fish and chips! I think it will be some time before I return to my fire eating ways (if ever!) but a small price to pay if it keeps me well. It will be interesting to see how palate is effected. A regular contributed to this site actually developed a taste for spice. So I hope you get your spice buds back. I am also hoping to persuade more of my US friends to follow Liverpool Football Club before tonsil dad converts any of you into Manchester Utd fans!

GavinP · April 2014

Guzzle said:
Holiday weekend
Here in UK. Lovely weather which is never a fotegone conclusion here! Been to Crosby beach by the Anthony Gormley Ironmen Scuptures ( lovely spot. The installation is called "another place" if you are interested in public art). Katie I will be thi king of your bro' and fire over any tips I pick up. PJ a guy over here got back to curries 2 months post treatment but only mild ones. Curry is a big thing here because of our historic links with India and Pakistan. It is ip there with fish and chips! I think it will be some time before I return to my fire eating ways (if ever!) but a small price to pay if it keeps me well. It will be interesting to see how palate is effected. A regular contributed to this site actually developed a taste for spice. So I hope you get your spice buds back. I am also hoping to persuade more of my US friends to follow Liverpool Football Club before tonsil dad converts any of you into Manchester Utd fans!

Weather looks good

Up at Liverpool tomorrow and much of Easter Sunday as well. Will probbaly be wet Sunday night and may be a bit showery Easter Monday, but overall "north and west is best" this holiday weekend. Enjoy it.

(Disclaimer: I'm an amateur weather forecaster, not a pro )

josh r. · April 2014

Lift one to you mate

Hi Guzzle,

I'll be lifting one to you on Tuesday with cheers in your direction. All the best, josh r.

Guzzle · April 2014

josh r. said:
Lift one to you mate
Hi Guzzle,

I'll be lifting one to you on Tuesday with cheers in your direction. All the best, josh r.

Blue skies

Josh, Ill raise one to you Sunday mate. Gav blue skies here. Where you travelling from? Have a good journey. It was very sunny yesterday. Regards. G.

GavinP · April 2014

Guzzle said:
Blue skies
Josh, Ill raise one to you Sunday mate. Gav blue skies here. Where you travelling from? Have a good journey. It was very sunny yesterday. Regards. G.

I'm down in Northamptonshire,

I'm down in Northamptonshire, but I'm not travelling this weekend. I'll be in the rain here tomorrow afternoon, so spare a thought for me,

Guzzle · April 2014

GavinP said:
I'm down in Northamptonshire,
I'm down in Northamptonshire, but I'm not travelling this weekend. I'll be in the rain here tomorrow afternoon, so spare a thought for me,

Just started

Line in. Waiting for chemo to be pumped in for 12 hrs. Will find out what the chemical is but radio wise got 33 fractions at 66 grays? Dr. Reckons 60 /40 in my favour no tube. If it was she uses a nasal tube as its only on one side. Favours PEG if both sides getting zapped!

Guzzle · April 2014

Guzzle said:
Just started
Line in. Waiting for chemo to be pumped in for 12 hrs. Will find out what the chemical is but radio wise got 33 fractions at 66 grays? Dr. Reckons 60 /40 in my favour no tube. If it was she uses a nasal tube as its only on one side. Favours PEG if both sides getting zapped!

Chemo

Cisplatin?

Treatment

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