Husband diagnosed with SCC head and neck

CivilMatt said:

stress

MMD,

There are many nausea meds.  Let you team know of his condition.  You normally have to be very proactive if nausea has a habit of striking.  Once you get that under control I can’t stress enough how important hydration and nutrition are.  Of course if he is vomiting that throws a wrench in the works, but missing out on food and water can be a problem. As Noellesmom said "your husband will be ok".

Don’t get scared, just apply what you have learned and this will likely be under control soon.

Matt

He's better. I talked to the on call dr and he said to start the steroid again. He told me that he tells his patients to take the steroid in days 4,5,6 because there is a delayed reaction from the Cisplatin. So we did that and Zofran and the long named other anti nausea drug. He slept the better part of the day. But did have 1/2 bottle of Ensure (small sips) and water. He says he wants to eat desperately but now is gun shy to eat and also not sure what sounds good.  so we wait and try foods and pray. A lot of praying. And trusting the dr.'S and nurses. He goes in tomorrow for IV fluids and some IV anti nausea meds. I'm sure he'll feel better after that. He is bound and determined to go on the school retreat tomorrow. I'm nervous about that too. I've turned into a large worry wart. I'm trying to just let go and trust. That's essier said than done. But again. Thanks so much for your kind words and advice. 

BlacksuitDC said:

Fluids and the scent of orange blossoms

Tell him one can't 'power through' radiation and chemo. It is very humbling. Rest even if you cannot sleep. Very, very important to keep the weight up.  He must eat.  Sip Ensure Plus in place of water.  Get as many calories as you can into him. It doesn't matter if it doesn't sound good. Eat anyway. Request fluids a day or two after each chemo treatment. Then request fluids again a day or two before the next round of chemo. Demand them if you need to.  Important: get fluids 2xs a week if you can. You hopefully won't get 'really sick' until about the end of week 4.  He will get though this.  

 

 VIP: during radiation - certain smells can help keep you from being nauseous.  I had my treatment at MD Anderson.  The scent of Orange blossoms helped me.  The little RN who helped me liked lemon when she received the radiation treatment.  She said she would drive holding a cut lemon to her nose. She said she carried a lemon everywhere to smell.  Test smells out. If he gets really sick, the doctors will cut the dose of cisplatin but he needs to get thought these 6 weeks on the dose prescribed. He needs the cisplatin. 

I think we both thought we would have a little more time to get used to the side effects from the chemo. It just hit us so quickly. Overnight, really.  It's a mind reset for us. Not so much to power through just a new way of life for us.  I also think that this week was an eye opener to both of us how quickly your body is affected. He went in today for IV fluids and anti nausea meds. He walked out feeling so much better. He was able to drink Ensure which pleased both of us to no end.  We are monitoring the ringing in his ears which he has had since day one. Our oncologist and nurse are a bit concerned that the ringing isn't going away. So they may have to lower the dose of Cisplatin because of the potential damage to his hearing.  He is also scheduled now to receive fluids 2x a week and if we need more we will absolutely push for it.  he will get through this. The end result is what we are working towards. 

blueskiestx said:

It's been two weeks since our

It's been two weeks since our last treatment.  My husband has about 50% of his hearing.  It's one of those nasty side effects of Cisplatin.  Everyone I have talked to is different.  Some people get their hearing back, some don't.  

My husband's hobbies rely on his hearing.  So it's really frustrating.  We will just wait it out and hope for the best.  As long as the cancer is gone we can deal with the hearing loss.

Just keep getting his hearing checked, not by the cancer doctors.  Get checked by an ENT.

 

I do hope that your husband's hearing come back.  I know chemo is so very helpful, but it's also a pain in the a**.   We met with his oncologist this morning & it went well.  She and the radiation dr. are concerned about his kidney function. It really took a hit from the Cisplat and with him being so dehydrated. He has to go in for fluids today, tomorrow, and at least three days next week.  Thanks goodness he is on Spring Break next week.  She told us that there is a potential that if his kidney levels do not imorove he may not be able to do chemo at all.  Which is not what we want to here.  She is also 99% sure she will have to adjust his doasge for next time (if his kidneys can handle a next time).  We will definitely be pushing fluids as much as we can over the weekend.   He met with the radiation dr. on Wednesday and the tumor has shrunk and the the dr. says it is responding well to the treatment.   That was so good to hear.  He is feeling good this week.  He's been eating and drinking and the nausea is being taken care of with the Zofran.  I will take as many good days as I can.  I know he feels the same way.  We just keep telling ourselves that every day is a "new normal" and to expect the unexpected.   

   How is your husband doing with the recovery process?  I am sure you are both glad to be done with the treatments! Take care!

Sprint Car Dude said:

Ringing

I am 4 months post treatment. I still have ringing to my ears. Some days less than others. My hearing seems to be fine, just the constant ring. Just waiting on time to pass and the body to due its amazing healing routine. . On a good note I started back to the gym this week. Fight On.

We are fighting the fight!  Tumor has already shrunk in one week!  So glad that you are able to resume your activities!

KlammsBride19 said:

Your peg tube

Hello!! You mentioned that you watched a video for your peg tube. Where can I find it to watch? My husband had his peg tube put in 2 weeks ago and I can use all the help I can get when it comes to caring for it.

Did a home care nurse come out to your home to give instructions? We had one the next day come over and give us the run down on caring and cleaning, what to put in it and what to avoid.