NEXT PHASE OF TREATMENT

luv4lacrosse
luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello all, hope things are good with everyone.

I met with my Radiation Doc last week and met with my Chemo Doc today. We have the final plan and am ready to do some serious battle with Mr. C.

I am having both sides of my neck radiated starting Sept. 8th. 6 weeks M-F. The Chemo portion will be 3 doses of Cisplatin over the same 6 week period of time. On the 10th I will go back to the hospital to have a Hoen Catheter inserted.It is a double lumen subclavian line to adminster the chemo and other fluids through. Each dose of chemo will be given and 2 additional days spent back at the facility receiving large amounts of IV fluids and other drugs to fend off nausea and vomiting as well as to help with mouth sores. These will be 3 very long days hooked up to the tubes. I will pick up another drug called Flucoazol(hope i spelled that right) to try to finally get rid of the thrush. The nystatin did nothing. Lastly i will also take a drug called Caphasol Mouth Solution that I can swish and spit up to 8 times a day if needed to combat the mouth sores.They will also set me up for a hearing test to monitor any potential hearing loss I may have. My Doc did tell me that 1 in 3 of his patients that receive Cisplatin cannot finish 3 treatments due to the side effects and would have to finish with a different drug. I am currently taking a once a day injection of Lovenox for my newly diagnosed DVT's i have in both legs for the next 90 days. I know they said i would bruise easy, but you should see the bruise on my AC vein on my left arm after I was stuck with the smallest Butterfly Needle available. It looks like I have been stuck in the same site a hundred times or more.
I have decided not to focus on what side effects I may have to go through, but to do as much prep work in advance to allow for my body to be in the best shape to deal with what ever side effects decide to try and take me down. I will just deal with them as they happen. I am willing to take whatever side effect(s) are thrown at me no matter how bad they are in exchange for living my life to the fullest and for along time.

Thanks to all of you people who have replied with allot of good usefull information as well as just to lend an ear so I could vent.

Good health and long living to each and every person on this site.

BEST!!

Mike

Comments

  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #2
    Stay Strong Mike!
    Mike, best of luck to you with this treatment. Hope things go more smoothly for you. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • Dragons7-7-2010
    Dragons7-7-2010 Member Posts: 79
    #3
    Stay positive and try to find the funny side of things...
    Mike, Stay positive and find the funny in things at least that is what everyone tells me and so far I've had a tough time with my mouth sores and throat pain after round one of Chemo. But trying....to focus on the positve. I've lost 15 lbs since 8/4 from tonsillectomy and now from mouth pain.


    I went to doctor today for mine and in addition to thrush he said it is called stomatitis: inflammation of the mucuous lining of the mouth, lips, cheeks, and I am having dryness in my nasal passages. Though I thougth i did everything suggested drank my water, mouth rinses, biotene rinses good oral hygene. My new (wonderful) medical oncologist said because of my chemo drug 5FU there is no way to 100% prevent the mouth sores / stomatitis side affect. But he did prescribe some very relaxing pain medication. My mouth still hurts but I am not going to take off anyone's head. That is a good thing. Mind you normally I am not a fan of taking lots of pain meds but I really need some sleep so I hope this helps.

    You're an inspiration about being positive. especially love your statement "I am willing to take whatever side effect(s) are thrown at me no matter how bad they are in exchange for living my life to the fullest and for along time."

    I may have to make that my new mantra.

    EileenCibil
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #4
    Dragons7-7-2010 said:

    Stay positive and try to find the funny side of things...
    Mike, Stay positive and find the funny in things at least that is what everyone tells me and so far I've had a tough time with my mouth sores and throat pain after round one of Chemo. But trying....to focus on the positve. I've lost 15 lbs since 8/4 from tonsillectomy and now from mouth pain.


    I went to doctor today for mine and in addition to thrush he said it is called stomatitis: inflammation of the mucuous lining of the mouth, lips, cheeks, and I am having dryness in my nasal passages. Though I thougth i did everything suggested drank my water, mouth rinses, biotene rinses good oral hygene. My new (wonderful) medical oncologist said because of my chemo drug 5FU there is no way to 100% prevent the mouth sores / stomatitis side affect. But he did prescribe some very relaxing pain medication. My mouth still hurts but I am not going to take off anyone's head. That is a good thing. Mind you normally I am not a fan of taking lots of pain meds but I really need some sleep so I hope this helps.

    You're an inspiration about being positive. especially love your statement "I am willing to take whatever side effect(s) are thrown at me no matter how bad they are in exchange for living my life to the fullest and for along time."

    I may have to make that my new mantra.

    EileenCibil

    STAY POSITIVE
    I figure staying positive is one of the few things I can control I too often find myself joking about having cancer, or poking fun at my situation. This seems to have helped my 2 sons since my diagnosis along with my employees.

    Lastly, this disease has made it real easy for me to think and focus into the future regarding why it is so important for me to keep living.

    I want to see how my 2 sons grow and become successfull young men, start a family, experience the joys of being a grandparent, (but not too quick) playing a role in my grandchildren's lives and being to enjoy the company of my wife for many years to come.

    All the besy for you Eileen

    Mike
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    Hi Mike
    Being Positive and having faith is the best medicine I know of
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #6
    Hondo said:

    Hi Mike
    Being Positive and having faith is the best medicine I know of

    YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!
    Right on Hondo.

    Much more comfortable being positive VS being a whining miserable jerk.

    Thanks
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #7
    Hondo said:

    Hi Mike
    Being Positive and having faith is the best medicine I know of

    Yes
    Yes, that is what I believe... PMA is 80% of beating cancer.
  • charles55
    charles55 Member Posts: 87
    #8
    make it
    Mike, I want so much for you to see this through all the way to that no evidence of disease pronouncement. There have never been enough good people on this earth. We all need you.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #9
    charles55 said:

    make it
    Mike, I want so much for you to see this through all the way to that no evidence of disease pronouncement. There have never been enough good people on this earth. We all need you.

    TOUGHING IT OUT
    Thanks Charles. I have too much to live for to give up.

    Best to you and yours as you make the journey.

    BEST!!

    Mike
  • charles55
    charles55 Member Posts: 87
    #10
    luv4lacrosse said:

    TOUGHING IT OUT
    Thanks Charles. I have too much to live for to give up.

    Best to you and yours as you make the journey.

    BEST!!

    Mike

    too much to live for
    And that is exactly what is going to get you through this; smiling all the way (between the infrequent cussing fits).

Discussion Boards