Introduction

Welcome, and I hope your journey is as pleasant as it can possibly be. I've never gone through Chemo but I am a week out of radiation. Nothing is fun but we will get through this and be stronger in the end. I have to remind myself daily but I think joining this group helps. You aren't alone and there always seems to be someone who is listening. 

Dont hesitate to ask a question someone will answer.

good luck speedy recovery!

Welcome. My husband had radiation, cisplatin, and surgery for his cancer. He is doing great at 4.5 months out of treatment. I hope for the best for you too. Prayers and good luck as you begin your journey!

Is that Rottie?  He's beautiful, what a darling!  Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but you've come to the right place...a wealth of information, very kind and caring people, a place to vent and applaud.  Like Matt says, your ticket was punched and you are along for the ride with us.  It may be bumpy at times but you will make it through.  I'm a year out (half of tongue removed, six weeks of rads) and I've already gone on a great holiday, resumed full social life, working full time.  Yes, some aspects are changed but there is happiness and there is joy ahead...count on it!

Nita, I am sorry to read your note...hopefully, Vancouver will yield good results for you.  Blessings.

Sounds like you had a rough go of it!

My husband uses fentanyl patch with percocet for breakthrough pain.  Morphine while undergoing treatment.

Hope things start turning around for you soon.

nita52 said:

base of tongue cancer

hi to all. i have been looking for a support group for a while now. i was dignosed last november with cancer on the base of my tongue and sides...caused by  HPV.  I was 51, non smoker, casual drinker. i live in a small town and havent been able to find and support for this type of cancer. i have had , among other things, since last November, 35 rounds of radiation and 2 of chemotherpy.i was supposed to have 3 but i  had a very difficult time with the second, so we decided that would be enough. I had an experience during the treatments in which I barely made it. My Dr. had prescribed me a Fentenoyl (sp) patch after the morphine wasn't handling the pain. The first morning after applying the patch and taking a breakthrough dose of morphine I laid down for a bit. (I had some time before being picked up)The next thing i know it's 2 days later and i am in ICU. It was just luck that my son was to pick me up for a radiaiton app't ... ad he knew i wouldnt leave the place we were renting. long story, but he climbed up the fire escape and found me unresponsive. he called 911. My throat was constricted with phlegm from the radiation. They worked on me for hours, i ended up having to spend 11 days in the hospital. The "official reason " given me was that I wasn't used to taking opiodes , so it slowed down my heartbeat , I wasn't breathing because of the phelgm, and i had a short neck, so possible sleep apnea. so here it is, 3 months after treatment, and if i thought the treatments were the worst part of this horrid illness, i was wrong. since then i have suffered, not only with pain, but dry cough, phlegm, lethargy, bouts of what i call brain deadness,lympedema, etc..........oh you guys all know what it's like. The dr's kep telling me i am doing well. I go to Vancouver tommorow to have a PET scan. I guess i am here cause misery loves company, but i also love reading the success stories. i  feel so bad for those worse off than me. thankyou for reading this. 

...how scary!!  The cough, the phlegm, the lethary, the chemo brain all slowly go away.  Remember you didn't just get done having the flu....recovery from this is measured in weeks and months....and for some things years.  My taste buds just returned last October...3 years out of treatment.  In June I was on vaction missing out on the wonderful meals we had out...and by October...I was in heaven.  LOL.  Just hang in there, and remember every week, something is a little better...

p

You found the best group ever here on the H&N board. My husband is 10 months out from treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer, stage 4. He had a treatment similar to yours - 35 rads and 3 Cisplatin chemos. It is a difficult journey...but you sound like a great fighter. Please know that you can ask any question here, post any complaint, and share any victory. THIS is where I found my most helpful answers when grappling with problems and questions related to treatment. Keep us posted...we'll be cheering for you.

Barbara

Hi Jo-Ann.....i don't know what all those initials mean in regards to your cancer, but i had the same treatment. except i could not tolerate the 3rd chemo. I feel so bad for you, (the first time i ever said that about a skinny person..haha)but i came into this  overweight and have lost 50 pounds in 6 months. Thank goodness for the feeding tube. Keep strong and remember you are not alone.   Nita

Joanne & nita52,

Visit the superthread for information.  At the bottom you will find out what most of the initials are for.

Matt