IMMUNE SYSTEM WORRIES

FOMC
FOMC Member Posts: 25 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hey all, I'm sure this thought has crossed many minds so far.  I'm 2yrs 2 months NED but the thought constantly crosses my mind if my immune system is as strong as it once was??  Never been one to get sick in the past so, I'm hoping that continues this go around..  Thoughts and prayers for all

Jerry

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,465 Member
    edited March 2020 #2
    FOMC I Think Our Immune Systems

    Are compromised with treatments like chemo which affects your blood count and radiation which makes you tired and has certain effects on you. I believe once you are through treatments your system builds back up and you are pretty much back to normal as far as your immune system. At least that is my thought on it. Hopefully, we will hear from others-Take care Jerry-God bless-Russ 

  • ERomanO
    ERomanO Member Posts: 323 Member
    edited March 2020 #3
    I'm close to the 2 year mark

    I'm close to the 2 year mark and given the current COVID-19 situation I asked my RO Nurse Practitioner (I chose to ask her because she's very good and always quick to respond) this same question regarding my immune system. Her reply was very short, saying "You have recovered from your treatments".  That's it.  When I think back to those treatments the only time I was susceptable to infection was the day or two following chemo, which was on Monday (and I never had any issues).  By Wed or Thu all was good again (relatively speaking).  So your immune system should be back to normal as well (and has been for some time).

    In my opinion good diet and exercise might be the best thing you can do to keep it strong from this point on.  

    All the best to you, Jerry.

  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 483 Member
    edited March 2020 #4
    My blood cell counts,

    both white and red, were still not in the "normal" range, per my last blood test. I've been out of treatment for 9 months.

    I haven't gotten sick, but certainly I would recommend to anyone reasonably fresh from treatment, that they take extra care, to prevent getting anything like Cold, Flu or Covid-19!!

    Your Oncologist should be checking your blood counts, and letting you know whether they're in the normal range....

    mg

  • LitlCJdoll
    LitlCJdoll Member Posts: 245 Member
    #5
    Hello guys,

    Hello guys,

    I can add a unique Twist to this post --- I was born with a Primary ( genetic) Immunodeficiency.  Yes, ...So think about that one, In Addition to having Stage III head & neck cancer , with having had 5 recurrent SqCC Tumors.... Also I have had 5 separate episodes of Aspiration and bacterial pneumonia ( and collapsed lung, now scarring...) And you d out recently I have liver disease too.  

    And I am 100% dependent on my feeding pump. I weigh a whopping 74- 75 pounds.

    Yesterday, I had esophageal dilation of 2 right strictures ( and my doctor took more photos of the Pre-malignant mass by my Vocal cords). Today, I went to the grocery store, and also dropped a Letter by another doctors office.  

    I'm very " rebellious" ... But I am being told to Isolate myself. Dr. Clayton told me yesterday, that with my Primary Immunodeficiency-- he said I would Not survive, if I contract the virus.

    I was diagnosed immune deficiency when I was 9 years old.  At age 23, I was started in Intravenous Immune Globulin, infused every 28 days.  I am now 55 years old and Every 28 Days, I go in the hospital for a 4 hour infusion. It usually takes all day, to get the infusion.  It's an impartial treatment, however. Because it gives me only 1 type of Antibody, and I'm missing 3 types. Plus, I am low in T-cells and there is no way to replace those.  My Lymphocytes are low and my overall white count is low...

    Think about all that, and this terrible head & neck cancer as well !!  Gee... !!

    Even though I cannot eat-- I love to cook and bake for other people. Last week I took one of my layer cakes to the local Cancer Services office. They are a great group!  Then this week, they decided to close their office...And all is done online or over the phone for now.

    I have also been hanging out at the Cancer Center-- our Comprehensive Cancer Center, helping new patients, seeing friends... But now I have to stop that too.  Also, the 2 cancer group meetings I was going to, have stopped meeting. It's gonna be lonely !!

    LitlCJdoll

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 468 Member
    edited March 2020 #6
    FOMC

    White blood cell count would be your answer, I think.

  • LitlCJdoll
    LitlCJdoll Member Posts: 245 Member
    edited March 2020 #7
    Logan51 said:

    FOMC

    White blood cell count would be your answer, I think.

    Thank you, Dave K.

    Thank you, Dave K.

    I too am 100% dependent on my G tube. Continuous feeding ..... Cancer Services gave me a hospital bed for my bedroom. It's a nice XLTwin, electronic remote controlled bed.  The most recent cancer Modified Barium Swallow study I had ( it was #4)-- was my absolute worst one, showing that I now aspirate literally Everything-- thin liquids, thickened, and pudding consistency.  So, now I am allowed only Sips, for "comfort"/ quality of life.

    My lowest weight was 64 pounds, on the day I endured the 7+ hour surgery for my primary cancer.  I have Cachexa , probably from having the burden of 5 recurrences...And now have pre-malignancies in Hypopharynx-- Pathologist wrote that " An underlying Invasive tumor cannot be excluded". That was February 4th.    So, I am living in Limbo.  The mass there continues to grow, as shown during my EGD this Monday. Photographs taken show the proof.  I guess they will do another Laser surgery??

    I begged for more Radiation, after my recurrent Invasive tumor last year, that required 2 surgeries, but my R O said Hell no. He said for one thing, it would love kept rupture my Carotid artery and I would have a bleed out..

    So, I wait, for whatever is next.

    And I reach out to local new patients-- and focus on that...

    LitlCJdoll

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 468 Member
    #8
    LitlCJ

    I sure wish I had a hospital bed to raise the head-half of it. As is, I'm using my recliner if I feel like a nap within 2 hours of a feeding. Know you have it a lot worse than I do, and I feel for you. With me, I use small ice chips for mouth flavor and moisture. 3/4 of the times I swallow I cough it up, which is one way of keeping the lungs clean.

    Keep fighting the good fight.

  • HobbsDoggy
    HobbsDoggy Member Posts: 276
    #9
    I Think Care is Wise

    I think the readiation does damage is always a bit with us.  Just be careful as I am not as much as I should be.  

  • Drivingdaisy
    Drivingdaisy Member Posts: 263
    edited June 2020 #10
    Immune System

    Mine was never as good as say My husbands but being so overdosed in treatments My body such a mess & even 4 yrs later more problems arise or existing get worse I have sodium lows, & both My red & White blood Cells continues to be low though all through treatments My Chemo Dr said all My labs were fine, very good but now that I have copies and can see immediately I had problems starting till they were good in the beginning to their lowest (now) and became low 1/2 treatments I don't see My immunity coming back much at all.  Got a cold or flu end of Jan 2020 & didn't finally didn't kick it till last month and that was with flu & pneumonia shots in Oct.  That really upsets Me since can't eat much or good foods due to zero saliva or should I saw replaced with what's called Chemo Saliva, no taste buds other than everything tastes horrible, things smell horrible also plus swallowing is a challenge.  How can I strengthen Immunity except tru supplements which take quite a few plus so many salt pills for sodium lows that my stomach is also been messed up.  But been a mess basically after completing treatments in 2016.  Use to eat so much more but as saliva disappeared & replaced with more Chemo Saliva, missing the water part of saliva so just ropy, sticky, mucus, plus extreme dry mouth makes eating much more difficult & taste crappy.  I so miss salad, vegs & so many fruits.  Shakes just taste horrible even if it was a choc one, how sad.  Go for Quality for treatments not quantity, just my opinion.   Just being alive is NOT living.  Need some quality to live & enjoy life!  Good luck everyone with this nasty Virus.  I pretty much stay to myself or talk now and than with husband & daughter from next store but voice is starting to also suffer from dryness.   Be safe & as healthy as you can.   Hugs from 6-12 ft away.  Good luck to all

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