Thanks so Much !!!!

John oldtmr
John oldtmr Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Thank heavens for this web site and all you folks on here!!! Have seen all the drs. now and the radiologist yesterday. They are moving fast and that's good. Mon. get the mega dose of Erbatux, Tue. the mask and mapping, and feeding tube asap.Then the 6th I get another dose of Erbatux and first Rad. treatment Thanks to you all I knew what to expect and most of the questions to ask. Really like all my drs. although they're younger than my kids. Radiologist is really upbeat and explained that a lot of the stuff has advanced a whole lot in the last couple of years and that there wasn't the destruction of surrounding tissue that there used to be. Hope he isn't sounding too optimistic. I'd rather they painted a slightly darker picture, then if it turns out better it's like a bonus.

Once more, thank you all.

Oh, the nurse went out and brought a mask in and explained how they would make it and every thing. I've decided that when I get through this I'm going to get a nice piece of wood like they mount animal heads on and mount the mask on it and hang it on the wall.

Hang in there everyone!!! John

Comments

  • Katmir
    Katmir Member Posts: 21
    #2
    i just prayed about this stuff...

    john,

    my mom has her first consult with rad doc on tuesday. it appears we're following just behind you..... and i have a question! do you mind?

    what's erbatux?

    i'm pretty positive that mom will be fitted for a mask, too (based on what i've asked other patients/survivors) but the docs haven't told us that yet. she's going to have rad for her tongue cancer (now removed)... 5x/week, 6 weeks.

    hoping all goes well for you!!

    thanks.

    ~k
  • John oldtmr
    John oldtmr Member Posts: 33
    #3
    Katmir said:

    i just prayed about this stuff...

    john,

    my mom has her first consult with rad doc on tuesday. it appears we're following just behind you..... and i have a question! do you mind?

    what's erbatux?

    i'm pretty positive that mom will be fitted for a mask, too (based on what i've asked other patients/survivors) but the docs haven't told us that yet. she's going to have rad for her tongue cancer (now removed)... 5x/week, 6 weeks.

    hoping all goes well for you!!

    thanks.

    ~k

    Erbatux (sp)
    Hi Katmir,
    I don't know if I'm getting the spelling right, but the chemo doc said it was chemo ,but not. It makes the tumor more receptive to the radiation. They said I wouldn't loose my hair and it doesn't usually make you sick, that the only side affect is a rash from the upper chest up on you're face.That it looks like acne, but instead of treating it like acne you have to use moisturizers and that they would give me a cream for it. The nurse said that it usually gets a lot better after a couple of wks.

    The radiologist said that they would also give me a shot of amifostine (generic name) it helps to prevent damage to the surrounding tissue from the radiation. Hopefully saves saliva glands,or at least saves them a little.

    As far as the mask goes the nurse brought one in so I could look at it and it wasn't as scary as I thought. It is a plastic mesh. The holes in the mesh are about a half in. so it isn't as bad as I thought.

    Hope the big dose of that stuff tomorrow doesn't bother me too much 'cause I'm still trying to get things caught up outside. Oh well, got to do what we've got to do.

    All the best to you're mom. We can do this!!!!

    John
  • Katmir
    Katmir Member Posts: 21
    #4
    John oldtmr said:

    Erbatux (sp)
    Hi Katmir,
    I don't know if I'm getting the spelling right, but the chemo doc said it was chemo ,but not. It makes the tumor more receptive to the radiation. They said I wouldn't loose my hair and it doesn't usually make you sick, that the only side affect is a rash from the upper chest up on you're face.That it looks like acne, but instead of treating it like acne you have to use moisturizers and that they would give me a cream for it. The nurse said that it usually gets a lot better after a couple of wks.

    The radiologist said that they would also give me a shot of amifostine (generic name) it helps to prevent damage to the surrounding tissue from the radiation. Hopefully saves saliva glands,or at least saves them a little.

    As far as the mask goes the nurse brought one in so I could look at it and it wasn't as scary as I thought. It is a plastic mesh. The holes in the mesh are about a half in. so it isn't as bad as I thought.

    Hope the big dose of that stuff tomorrow doesn't bother me too much 'cause I'm still trying to get things caught up outside. Oh well, got to do what we've got to do.

    All the best to you're mom. We can do this!!!!

    John

    thinking about you today!

    hope all goes well...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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