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New caregiver here - looking for some encouragement and advice!
Hi all - my name is Michaelene and my husband, Michael (yes, we are Michael and Michaelene), just got diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (right lymph node). Only symptom was a swollen lymph node, but the biopsy has confirmed it. He did a contrast CT scan yesterday and they don't see any other tumors and…
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Anger overwhelming
My husband of 46 years found out that he has non small cell lung cancer and I am homebound because of genetic eye disease and can't drive...he has to take himself to all radiation treatment and chemo treatments...he was in bad health with COPD and severe psoriatic arthritis and heart issues before the cancer diagnosis...we…
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CEA Level drops without treatment
I have pretty consistent CEA levels. When its high, cancer usually has grown quite a bit. It has never dropped without any treatment. And my doctor says it's not possible for it to drop without treatment. However last result it drop about 25%! (330 -250 w/o treament). Unfortunately, current CT scan vs 3 months ago shows…
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Surgery vs Radiation
My father is diagnosed with Prostate Cancer,psa 21, Gleason 3+4, all cores on right side positive, no positive cores on left side, extra prostatic extension found. No nodal involvement found in PSMA PET. He underwent a nephro-ureteroctomy surgery 2 years back for a tumour in ureter. Now diagnosed with prostate cancer . We…
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Im in the waiting phase, and Im terrified.
Im new here, so I apologies if this isnt how things are done. But I really need some help from anyone who is willing to listen. Please excuse the text wall. So, a little background information ( sorry for the information overload): 1) I got my first period when I was about 9 (early periods are common in my family)...2) my…
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October Post
I went to visit my dad that night after he was moved to his own room. One of my uncles, my parents' close friend, drove me to see my dad along with my grandparents. It was decided that my mom would return home with us. Even though I knew everything had gone fine I was still very worried and wanted to see my dad in person.…
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Lymph nodes and pressure in veins
Hello, I've was diagnosed with uterine cancer about 6 weeks ago, had a total hysterectomy along with lymph node removal, (I've not yet found out how many or if all were removed from my groin area-I will be asking at my follow-up visit in a few days). I also haven't gotten my staging yet. My question is, my right inner leg…
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Anyone use medical marijuana?
Two years after my surgery for BOT HPV-related tongue cancer, and a full neck dissection/took 63 nodes, I'm dealing with chronic neck discomfort. Been examined thoroughly by my ENT, surgeon and radiation oncologist, had a CAT scan and multiple larngoscopies, no one's been able to ID any malignant cause of the…
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Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
I was in the ER Saturday for what had been diagnosed as cellulitis 2 weeks earlier. I had many tests including a chest X-ray followed by a CT scan that showed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. It was suggested I follow up with my oncologist on Monday. He has suggested a PET scan. I was just wondering if anyone has had a…
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Finished Chemo!!!
I just wanted to say that yesterday was my LAST chemo day! WAHOO! I rang the bell and everyone cheered. Next up will be surgery. I'm just happy to be done with chemo because that stuff was toxic for me.
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LitlCJdoll (Crystal) An Honored and Dear Member Has Passed.
Obituary Link Below-There is a short tribute video below the obituary-very nice- It is with great sorrow that I bring this news to the Head & Neck group. LitlCJdoll (Crystal) has passed on September 12, 2022 She was a true warrior in her battle with cancer and a staunch supporter of others here on the forum. She had…
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Would appreciate info from the experienced
I'm 73, had TORS for a new SCC right tonsil in May of 2022 along with radical neck dissection for carotid ligations. Did "OK" in the weeks following TORS then had 30 IMRT's in July/Aug. I have to mention too that I was diagnosed in 2007 w/SCC left tonsil and lymph nodes resulting in CISPLATIN weekly chemo concurrent with…
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Post Tx Follow up schedule / PET vs CT / too many doc's & different opinions.
This is a bit complicated. I received my rad & chemo at Peace Health - St. Joe's in Bellingham Wa. I am followed by a surgeon at a 2nd place in Bellingham, Wa. (had my Tors / neck surgery in Seattle with a different surgeon). Finished treatments in early Dec 2021. PET in early April was NED & CT done yesterday was NED. My…
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Chemo & Hives
Hello - I'm currently receiving Taxotere and Cytoxan chemo for breast cancer. I receive the infusions every three weeks. Approximately two weeks after my second chemo infusion, I had experienced a terrible case of hives. I was administered a steroid regimen (methylprednisolone 4mg) over the course of 6-days which seemed to…
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Port problems-Can't get blood from it
Hello to everyone. Hope you all are doing well. I went to the doctor today for 1st blood work after my first round of chemo last Wednesday-Friday. The port worked fine last week, but today they couldn't get any blood from it. She flushed it first with saline but still couldn't get any blood. She added a blood thinner and…
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Choosing not to do Hormone Therapy after Lumpectomy
Two months ago I had a lumpectomy to remove Grade 1, Stage 1 Estrogen Progesterone positive mucinous cancer. My oncologist wants me to take Aromatose as I am 74. This drug is known to cause bone loss. I am .1 point away from osteoporosis. A Mammoprint test was done and the outcome shows a possible 98% non recurrence with…
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Treatment choice based on Age, Family History, PSA, Biopsy, MRI, Treatment facility, and Surgeon's e
Are you fning kiddding me...cancer? Ok, now that I got that out of the way. I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and am in my early 50s. I am fit, exercise regularly, eat well, and am in pretty good health. Had an elevated PSA so asked for another test 6 months later that was normal. After a "whew" and a WTF…
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Scheduled for Surgery - What can I expect?
Hello, I am a 53 year old male. Diagnosed a few months ago. Slow growing, low gleason score, recently my PSA went from 7.6 to a 9, so with my doctor, I have decided for robotic removal. Been doing some research, but feeling a little lost and overwhelmed. I would love to hear from anyone who has been through this surgery…
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Multiple Myeloma Tests
Hi everyone...just joined and had a few questions. I am in the process of being tested for MM and am finding myself easily confused. I did a 24 hour urine collection the other day and the results were 14 mg/dl of total protein and reference said less than 15 is normal. My Beta 2 Microglobulin Serum is 2.3 mg/l...reference…
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Learning about whats happening to me
I knew I was very unwell 6 years ago but it could have been with me for as much as 11 years, my oncologist has been like a high pressure used car salesman trying to get me to drink his Kool-Aid, I told him I'm not doing treatment & I think I seen the dollar signs fall from his eyes. I need to know more! The pain & the…
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Renal cell carcinoma
Just found this site today been to a urologist and he recommended I go to Vanderbilt in Nashville the ct scan and MRI indicated a 1.5 cm solid abnormality/small renal cell carcinoma medial midpo/e LEFT kidney. The urologist said they handle complex situations like mine. Not sure what to think he mention partial…
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Rising PSA After A Long Journey
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Fifth Anniversary
Hi All, So here I am. I was diagnosed on the 8th of September 2017, on the 22nd of September 2022, five years later plus a few days, I had a PSA result of less than the limit of detectability. I view that as a result. Best wishes, Georges
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Been a while
Haven’t visited for a while but need some suggestions. I can’t seem to gain weight….due to my head and neck radiation my esophagus is about the size of a drinking straw. Im at about 155 and just can’t seem to increase my weight. I’ve had a total of 13 EGD procedures with basically no improvement I have difficulty…
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mask for radiation...?
Ive read many people referring to a mask used for radiation. Is that used for all types of Cancers diagnoses or only specific ones? Certain types of radiation also? Mom has unknown primary, to my understanding they most likely are going to radiate " all over" in common head and neck locations. thanks, just wondering trying…
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Prostitus
I have a back case of prostitus (infection and a very enlarged prostate) that is extremely painful with know relief from the antibiotics proscribed by the Urologist. The uroliogist said it may take 4 to 6 weeks to get better. Has anyone had this issue and how did you get relief from the pain. Thank you.
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Irinotecan and UGT 1A1 Genotyping
My Pam has had a harsh reaction to Folfiri since her first infusion with it. She has had 15 infusions with it so far. So a month ago a CNP ordered a blood test, UGT1AA Genotyping. A week or so later we got the results: variant(s) detected. We learned that what this means is that Pam cannot process Irinotecan (and some…
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Head/Neck Cancer survivor & brother has colon polyp
I am 3 years out of Nasal cancer and I am active in that forum. Yesterday, I found out my brother had a colon scan, and has a polyp (tumor?), that is 50mm (2 inches ) in diameter. He tells me it is also close to his (kidney? liver?) He is waiting for the biopsy, and in the head & neck world, one is always reminded, “it’s…
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Severe Allergic reaction to Oxaliplatin - I almost died!
Yep, I almost died last Monday! I had what was to be the second of four treatments, I started feeling mucus going down the back of my throat and started coughing. I called one of the kids to bring me some cough drops to the cancer center. I also had sudden low back pain. By the time my son got there, my chest began which…
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Need encouragement and advice
Hi - I am new and not yet diagnosed with anything but am starting to process of trying to figure out what is going on. Reading this board has been so helpful. I've hit a snag and would like your thoughts. So, I am post menopause several years. I am overweight and have never had children. For several months I've had…