Nasopharyngeal cancer - recently diagnosed

Robin Lanum
Robin Lanum Member Posts: 2
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hey all,

 

I've been recently diagnosed and am in the process of creating a treatment plan with the medical professionals.  I've been seeking others with a similiar diagnosis for support and mentorship.  I'd love to hear from others who might be interested in walking through this process with me, as I prepare for the jouney.

 

Judy

Comments

  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member
    #2
    Hello Judy

    Welcome to this forum, a place where no one would like to join, but glad you did, as you can hear firsthand how it is to go through this. I have/had NPC stage III, treated with radiation and chemo (details if you click on my avatar). I am 2 years (and 2 months) post treatment and I am in complete remission, feeling great. There are many things to learn about this, how to prepare and how to deal with the adverse events caused by the treatment. You can start with the Superthread, where you can find plenty of information. In order to give you advices, it would be useful to know what stage you are, and the treatment plan, as this can vary quite a bit, especially the chemo part. It’s a bumpy road ahead, but knowing that others went through this but survived and even thrived will be helpful. Also, most (not all) of us have to deal with some permanent side effects, but very manageable. You will receive advices from some who had different head and neck cancers, but the treatments and side effects can be very similar.

     

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    Welcome to this

    great forum, Judy....the people here are very smart and very supportive and positive.  I was lucky to have found these folks before I got started on treatment.....they held my hand, and carried me with humor and warmth all the way.

    I had NPC, also...diagnosed March of 2012...and I finished treatment August of 2012 (Corleone and I are both in the class of 2012...LOL).  I had concurrent rads and chemo (Cisplatin)....and when rads were over I had adjuvant chemo (3 sessions of Cisplatin and a 5FU fanny pack)....I'm here today to talk about it! Smile 

    Stick close to this group of people....they have tips and tricks up their sleeves that even the Drs. don't think of....one of the great parts of being here is you always get many suggestions on how to help something, and if one thing doesn't work, there's 5 more things to try.  These people make a tough experience a little easier to get through.

    Just keep this close to your heart.  You're going to make it through this....it ain't fun, and it ain't easy, but the path is worn down by many ahead of you....people you will consider friends by the time you reach the end of treatment.  Ask any and all questions...there is always someone close by to answer....this is one of the very active forums.

    p 

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #4
    Welcome, and sorry you need to be here.

    Judy welcome to the group no one wants to need. It is the best you will find fro support and information, from ones why do know that you are feeling. Mine was SSC STG 3 Larnyx with neck dissection on both sides of the neck. Took 86 glands and my Larynx, buy got the tumor as well.

    I always sugest that you go to a major hospital that has a tumor board, even if you must travel. The reason is it stops which doctor is in charge. They all get together and decide, and agree on what is the best corse of treatment for YOU.

    http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/ear-nose-and-throat  You can also change it to cancer and that way you check both.

    Just take one day at a time and remember we're open 24/7.  It is a rough road you are going down, but you will get through it as so many before you here have done and we will all do our best to help and understand. Yes, it is scarry, but it is beatable. Just get big time attitude, you will beat this, and then you will.

    Bill

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 617 Member
    #5
    We'll be here for you. I had

    We'll be here for you. I had BOT cancer, but went through chemo and radiation so can hopefully give you some useful advice down the road. Just ask and the great people on this site will give you lots of answers. They did for me! 

  • Robin Lanum
    Robin Lanum Member Posts: 2
    #6
    Thanks for warm welcome

    My diagnosis, thusfar:  Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the 2nd and 3rd Lymph Node chain in the neck.  Primary unknown. 

    Treatment plan to be revealed on Thursday. 

    Getting care at MD Anderson main campus in Houston, medical center.

    Thanks for the warm welcome and the suggestions to remain plugged in, pose questions here, and take care of myself mentally, physically and emotionally through the process.  I find the spiritual aspect quite important, as well.

     

    Been a long day at the medical center, and ready to crash.  But did check in for your responses, and wanted to let you know how much I appreciate them.  I'll be slowing down at the computer in a few days, and will read the threads suggested and become more familiar.  Looking forward to getting to know each of you as time goes on.  Stay strong and know how much you are appreciated, please.

     

    God bless,


    Judy

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #7
    Judy, my cancer was larynx

    Judy, my cancer was larynx but I want to welcome you to our family.  I'm sorry you need to be here but i know since you have to be that you will find this site and the great members very helpful and informative throughout your journey.  we will be with you, cheering you on and waiting to celebrate when you ring the bell.  let us know how you're doing on your trip and know that nothing is off limits.  if you have a question that you feel may seem strange, we've probably had it before.  so, don't hold back.  if you think of it, you can ask or say it.  good luck and I'll be praying for you.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • avisemi
    avisemi Member Posts: 172
    #8
    Hi Judy,
    welcome, sad you

    Hi Judy,

    welcome, sad you need to be here but glad you found us. My husband just finished treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. He had 3 rounds of chemo (cisplatin, 5fu and taxotere), 35 rads with carboplatin once a week and 3 cyberknife sessions.  

    Taking things one day at a time, love and support from loved ones, THIS forum and above all GOD helped us go through this. I kept telling my husband since the start that yes, the battle was going to be hard but that we knew since the beginning what the result was going to be: God's ways are perfect and His is the victory. Even at the lowest point (iCU with doctor telling me he might need to be intubated, I still declared he was going to be okay. There are too many verses that carried us through. Here is one that gave us strength:  for you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.  

    Sending you strength and blessings!

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi Judy

     

     

    Welcome to the family, you will a lot of help here on CSN for NPC, there are many of here some long timers and some new-b’s. But we are all here for people like you, to help you get through your journey.

     

    All the best

    Tim Hondo  

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #10
    Robin Lanum said:

    Thanks for warm welcome

    My diagnosis, thusfar:  Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the 2nd and 3rd Lymph Node chain in the neck.  Primary unknown. 

    Treatment plan to be revealed on Thursday. 

    Getting care at MD Anderson main campus in Houston, medical center.

    Thanks for the warm welcome and the suggestions to remain plugged in, pose questions here, and take care of myself mentally, physically and emotionally through the process.  I find the spiritual aspect quite important, as well.

     

    Been a long day at the medical center, and ready to crash.  But did check in for your responses, and wanted to let you know how much I appreciate them.  I'll be slowing down at the computer in a few days, and will read the threads suggested and become more familiar.  Looking forward to getting to know each of you as time goes on.  Stay strong and know how much you are appreciated, please.

     

    God bless,


    Judy

    MD Anderson

    Hi Judy

     

    I too did some of my testing at MDA Houston; my surgeon was Doctor Hanna and his team. They are some of the best you are going to find.

     

    Tim Hondo    

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