newly HPV-16 cancer patient needing advice

adamson091654
adamson091654 Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I am a 56 year old male. I have been diagnosed with HPV-16 cancer. I had a lump removed from my neck (attached to lymph-node) and now I am seeing the doctor for the treatment prescription (radiation and chemo.) I will be getting my treatment at the VCU Massey center in Richmond, VA. Does anyone have any experience with the new VMAT radiation device? Can anyone suggest treatment options. Can I get through the 6 1/2 weeks od chemo and radiation w/o the peg feeding tube. Can I workout (old bodybuilder) with weights and bike? Thanks...

Comments

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #2
    Good luck on your journey
    Sorry you have cancer but glad you found the site. Your proposed treatment sounds standard, please educate me on VMAT as I had IMRT. If you are body building now just keep doing it as long as you feel strong enough. There will be somedays you just don't want to and that's OK. You can catch up on the recovery side. As a comaparison I lifted weights on an amatuer level and was unable to lift the 15lb bar off my chest at my worst. Please don't be a macho man and get the tube. It will speed recovery and is a prudent choice. Surgery is not an option when your body is in turmoil after the combined effect of chemo and radiation. Do it now. Walking to the mail box is about to get difficult. Also don't resist having any teeth pulled, as it gets dificult and costly after treatment. And, the best part is that right about now you should be eating cheeseburgers!
  • adamson091654
    adamson091654 Member Posts: 16
    #3
    ratface said:

    Good luck on your journey
    Sorry you have cancer but glad you found the site. Your proposed treatment sounds standard, please educate me on VMAT as I had IMRT. If you are body building now just keep doing it as long as you feel strong enough. There will be somedays you just don't want to and that's OK. You can catch up on the recovery side. As a comaparison I lifted weights on an amatuer level and was unable to lift the 15lb bar off my chest at my worst. Please don't be a macho man and get the tube. It will speed recovery and is a prudent choice. Surgery is not an option when your body is in turmoil after the combined effect of chemo and radiation. Do it now. Walking to the mail box is about to get difficult. Also don't resist having any teeth pulled, as it gets dificult and costly after treatment. And, the best part is that right about now you should be eating cheeseburgers!

    Thanks so much...
    This is all new to me. I had the lump removed from Johns Hopkins and the treatment will be at VCU/Massey. Vmat is the new way of radiation which reduces the lenth of time you are getting treatment. Here is the website http://www.massey.vcu.edu/news/newsreleases.aspx?nrid=187 I was going to try my best to avoid the tube but if it helps I will. Thanks again...
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #4
    Welcome
    Hello and welcome. Like Mike, I'm also unfamiliar with the new radiation--will follow the link. I figure the effects will be the same. Please take advantage of many posts in the past that have addressed what you can expect by seaching the "CSN content" area. I had the tube for my treatment--same as yours basically. I got the tube because it was recommended, and found I was "able" to eat throughout, but I couldn't. The lack of taste and texture of food made it inedible, so I was glad to have the tube.

    Ask the little questions as they come up. Each of the parts of your treatment will bring new questions. Mask fitting, the various reactions to radiation, chemo, all will bring their own day-to-day needs for information. You're a young guy in good shape, so here's hoping your treatment will proceed without a hitch. It's a rough ride, but everyone here has been on it, and will do all possible to help you get through it. Best of luck to you and keep posting.

    Hal
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    #5
    I followed the link
    VMAT sounds amazing. Keep us informed on your progress. Less side effects from the radiation is a real step forward in treamtent.

    For me chemo was harder then radiation. They gave me no choice in the feeding tube. I needed it, hated it and celebrated when it was removed.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    PEG and Working Out
    Hi Adamson & Welcome,

    I went through similar to what you are going to be going through.... I'm also 56, STG III SCC HPV+ Tonsil Cancer an a Lymph Node...Nine weeks of chemo in three week cycles, then seven weeks of concurrent (weekly Chemo an 35 dailys rads). I'm now 18+ months post treatment, and all is well...

    First you'll hear that everyone is different, what might work for me, might not for you, and the reverse...

    I was pretty healthy going in and ummmm well nourished. My MD's felt I didn't/wouldn't need a PEG. I didn't have one and for me it was never an issue or regret.

    As for working out, you can do whatever you feel like doing and maintain as normal routine as suits you and you can comfortably do.

    At some point either do to lack of energy because you aren't taking in enough extra or even enough calories, you'll more than likely become weak and just maintaining daily energy.

    Rest as much as you need and maintain your regular routine as long as you feel like it.

    Best,
    John

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