FINAL PATH IN FROM SURGERIES

luv4lacrosse
luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My Doc's Nurse Called my wife earlier to let her know that the Doc did get good margins in my mouth, but there may be some uncertianties regarding the removal of all of the cancer in the neck. Of course my Doc is in the OR all day today. The final repot now makes the Chemo portion mandatory so my journey will endure longer. I am assuming it might make sense to go back in surgically and remove anything that might still be present? I would be all for it. With the cancer bing HPV+, I know the Chemo has the best chance.

At this time i am not even sure if my Doc has had a chance to review the final report. From a worry standpoint I may be putting the "cart in front of the horse."

Has anyone had any direct experience with going back in surgically combined with starting the now mandatory Chemo?

Thanks

Mike

Comments

  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #2
    Watching Closely
    I don't have any advice, but will be watching you and this post closely, as my husband's likely recurrence (biopsy 8/23), will be treated with surgery and chemo. Maybe some radiation, we are not sure.

    My hubby had very little problem with the chemo portion of the program when he had it the first round. (However, he did NOT have cisplatin, he had carboplatin so that may have made a big difference on the side effects.)

    Playing the waiting game on doc is such fun, huh? Hang in there.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #3
    kimmygarland said:

    Watching Closely
    I don't have any advice, but will be watching you and this post closely, as my husband's likely recurrence (biopsy 8/23), will be treated with surgery and chemo. Maybe some radiation, we are not sure.

    My hubby had very little problem with the chemo portion of the program when he had it the first round. (However, he did NOT have cisplatin, he had carboplatin so that may have made a big difference on the side effects.)

    Playing the waiting game on doc is such fun, huh? Hang in there.

    PATH REPORT
    I have to stop worrying so much. A couple of hours after I posted my Doc called me to let me know everything is fine. The tumors in my neck were cut into smaller pieces before they were sent to the lab. Doing that confused the lab people.

    I see my Doc and the Radiation Oncologist Thursday afternoon to discuss the treatment plan going forward. Chemo will also be required.

    Them biggest problem I have now is trying to sleep. I keep choking on saliva and need to sleep in a chair as even laying back a few degrees keeps me from swallowing correctly.

    Best!!

    Mike
  • johnlax38
    johnlax38 Member Posts: 136
    #4
    luv4lacrosse said:

    PATH REPORT
    I have to stop worrying so much. A couple of hours after I posted my Doc called me to let me know everything is fine. The tumors in my neck were cut into smaller pieces before they were sent to the lab. Doing that confused the lab people.

    I see my Doc and the Radiation Oncologist Thursday afternoon to discuss the treatment plan going forward. Chemo will also be required.

    Them biggest problem I have now is trying to sleep. I keep choking on saliva and need to sleep in a chair as even laying back a few degrees keeps me from swallowing correctly.

    Best!!

    Mike

    Hi luv,
    You wont believe
    Hi luv,

    You wont believe this but Robitussin DM will help. I have been taking it since I had the same problem as you, maybe 2-3 months now, and I can't sleep with out it. It lasts a good 3-4 hours for me and I only wake up about 2-3 times a night now, versus every hour. It essentially dries you out and you wont secrete as much. My doctor told me not to take it because it will dry me out. But, I'm the one dealing with the side effects and I need my sleep. I only take it at night and I stay really hydrated during the day.

    I have been there, just as you have explained, I would wake up with a mouth full of spit and as disgusting as it is I would drool over my chest as I sat up. The DM helped tone it down to where it was "bearable". Give it a try and see how it goes. One thing to keep in mind is it will feel like you are drinking fire, I think its alcohol based so be prepared with a water chaser.

    A nurse at my infusion hospital recommended I use it when I complained about the same symptoms.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #5
    johnlax38 said:

    Hi luv,
    You wont believe
    Hi luv,

    You wont believe this but Robitussin DM will help. I have been taking it since I had the same problem as you, maybe 2-3 months now, and I can't sleep with out it. It lasts a good 3-4 hours for me and I only wake up about 2-3 times a night now, versus every hour. It essentially dries you out and you wont secrete as much. My doctor told me not to take it because it will dry me out. But, I'm the one dealing with the side effects and I need my sleep. I only take it at night and I stay really hydrated during the day.

    I have been there, just as you have explained, I would wake up with a mouth full of spit and as disgusting as it is I would drool over my chest as I sat up. The DM helped tone it down to where it was "bearable". Give it a try and see how it goes. One thing to keep in mind is it will feel like you are drinking fire, I think its alcohol based so be prepared with a water chaser.

    A nurse at my infusion hospital recommended I use it when I complained about the same symptoms.

    GREAT TIP
    I am used to the "drinking fire" as the liquid Oxycodon burns bad when it goes down.

    I will try the Robitussin tonight.

    Mike

Discussion Boards