Another newbie joining the club.

Hi Keith,

Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are  here, but the realization that it is a roller coaster puts you ahead.  I was stage IVa, scc, bot, 1 lymph node, hpv+ (surgery, rads & Erbitux) and I have crossed the 5 year mark on my post recovery.  The ride is just like you read; hopefully your body will be an accepting one of treatments and your side effects will be few.

May 9^th sounds like a good starting date and the first week of summer sounds like a good time to be finished.

Drink lots of water and swallow often.  Enjoy eating and expect your taste to change (it is weird).  Always be proactive, don’t tough it out, take your meds, keep your team informed and be prepared (have everything).

Don’t worry about the dry mouth and no taste, awful taste. Just dedicate yourself to getting through, don’t get mad or depressed, just get through.

We all have ideas to help.  I for one loved magic mouth wash and found my Oregon vintage to be extremely helpful for throat, mouth and tongue discomfort.

Good luck,

Matt

Your treatment plan sounds very similar to my husband's, except he is getting 36 rads.  If all goes as planned, you will finish on or about the same day.  Good Luck!  I don't have any advice as we are just starting, too, but as we progress, I'll let you and others know what works for us.  Good Luck!

I'm replying as mine was very similar - base of tongue, stage 4, I don't recall all those cool numbers any more.    that's a good thing.  I'm 5 years down the road, healthy, happy and fully recovered - and very grateful.  Very few minor side effects remain and they're nothing in the scheme of things.  You have a tough fight coming up - fight hard, be sweet to your caregivers, pray lots, and stay postivite.  On the far side of all of this, you'll have a whole new appreciation for most things in your life!

I hope it all goes well Keith. I had my port remeved last week. Finished Chemo in December. Finished 35 rad treatements on Oct 17th 2016. So hang in there buddy. Will not be fun and games once in awhile but you will get through this as we have. I feel good now and wont get into lasting effects cause we are all different.  We are all behind you. I had a friend that was 4 weeks ahead of me at treatment and I talked and listened to him to learn what was ahead and that helped tremendously. 

7 weeks will fly right by. I had my Rad Techs crank up the tunes while I was strapped down. I knew in about 4-5 songs it would all be over with and plus I did have to listen to the machine clicking for 20 minutes. Hydrate and pound the calories while you can. Good Luck with the treatment. I had 35/7.

Hi Keith,

I am 11 weeks post therapy (35 days rads + 6 weekly sessions Cisplatin). Diagnosed HPV+ T4N0M0 in the larynx (a minority).

What I noticed: My energy level stayed pretty even up until 40Gy's (about the 20 day mark at 2Gy's/day). Right after that point I noticed my energy started to decline and other various side effects really started to kick in. Weeks 1-2 post therapy were The Worst.

Biggest piece of advice: My doctors were behind on pain meds and by the time I complained and got the meds I no longer needed them. Do yourself a favor and make sure you get adequate pain meds - IN ADVANCE   This especially applies to the post therapy weeks!!!