Michael Douglas has cancer

delnative
delnative Member Posts: 450
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Details are somewhat sketchy, but it's in the throat and sounds like it's spread to at least one lymph node.

You can read about it here, http://bit.ly/bqw3bA if you're so inclined.

None of us would wish this cancer on anyone, but perhaps there's a bright side: Having a celebrity as "one of us" could wind up bringing some public attention to what I consider the Rodney Dangerfield of cancers.

--Jim in Delaware
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Comments

  • GRAVEY
    GRAVEY Member Posts: 83
    #2
    Just read that also Jim, one
    Just read that also Jim, one lymph node, not too bad, I was lucky like that and had one lymph node swell up when I had tongue cancer. Feels weird to say had, and good at the same time. But I have always been known to be the Weird one, so I guess it fits :) Hope all things work well for him. I have a good feeling he will fully recover.....
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #3
    George Karl too
    George Karl (coach of the Denver Nuggets) had it too, around the same time I did. I wouldn't mind getting the word out on how brutal the treatment is for this cancer. I'm sorry for Mr Douglas and hope he does better than some of us have.

    Best,

    Mick
  • johnlax38
    johnlax38 Member Posts: 136
    #4
    micktissue said:

    George Karl too
    George Karl (coach of the Denver Nuggets) had it too, around the same time I did. I wouldn't mind getting the word out on how brutal the treatment is for this cancer. I'm sorry for Mr Douglas and hope he does better than some of us have.

    Best,

    Mick

    Yeah I saw it on the Today
    Yeah I saw it on the Today show this morning. The doctor they consult with made it seem like the treatment and side effects were flu like and will pass in days. I got a litte "tee'd off".
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #5
    johnlax38 said:

    Yeah I saw it on the Today
    Yeah I saw it on the Today show this morning. The doctor they consult with made it seem like the treatment and side effects were flu like and will pass in days. I got a litte "tee'd off".

    Hmmm...
    ...not the kind of press we want. Michael Douglas, I imagine, will find the same medical treatment we all have. Afterall these boards represent world wide medical treatment for Head and Neck cancer. He and his loved ones will go through what we have. I cannot imagine money and fame makes cancer and its treatment any less devastating, or any less brutal. We are all human...as Farrah Fawcett showed us in her documentary.
    Mr. Douglas and his family will need the same information and support that we have all found here. My best wishes go out to them as they do for all of us here who have faced this monster.
    Kim
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #6
    Kimba1505 said:

    Hmmm...
    ...not the kind of press we want. Michael Douglas, I imagine, will find the same medical treatment we all have. Afterall these boards represent world wide medical treatment for Head and Neck cancer. He and his loved ones will go through what we have. I cannot imagine money and fame makes cancer and its treatment any less devastating, or any less brutal. We are all human...as Farrah Fawcett showed us in her documentary.
    Mr. Douglas and his family will need the same information and support that we have all found here. My best wishes go out to them as they do for all of us here who have faced this monster.
    Kim

    Michael Douglas!
    Well said Kimba! I believe if someone has not lived this experience then they do not comprehend! However, my oncologist was very kind & even apologetic when he mentioned to me that he really had to blast me with the rad's. He truly understood. I believe the only diffrence between Mr Douglas's treatment in comparison to us will be easier access to healthcare & prescription med's. The rest will indeed be the same.
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #7
    johnlax38 said:

    Yeah I saw it on the Today
    Yeah I saw it on the Today show this morning. The doctor they consult with made it seem like the treatment and side effects were flu like and will pass in days. I got a litte "tee'd off".

    the Today show report
    GRRRR. I just sent a response to that report. The Dr clearly doesn't know how bad the treatment can be OR was told to tone it down. I suggested they visit this forum for stories about recovery.

    Best,

    Mick
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    micktissue said:

    the Today show report
    GRRRR. I just sent a response to that report. The Dr clearly doesn't know how bad the treatment can be OR was told to tone it down. I suggested they visit this forum for stories about recovery.

    Best,

    Mick

    You Go Mick
    And as Kim said, until you walk in our shoes (patients and caregivers), you can't really understand it....or for lack of better words, "fully appreciate it".

    John
  • johnlax38
    johnlax38 Member Posts: 136
    #9
    Skiffin16 said:

    You Go Mick
    And as Kim said, until you walk in our shoes (patients and caregivers), you can't really understand it....or for lack of better words, "fully appreciate it".

    John

    Access Hollywood just
    Access Hollywood just reported he's going to go through 8 weeks or rads and chemo.
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #10
    johnlax38 said:

    Access Hollywood just
    Access Hollywood just reported he's going to go through 8 weeks or rads and chemo.

    Mark CAN be funny...
    I just shared with Mark the lame report done on NBC's Today Show (my favorite, by the way); and how treatment only results in some flu-like symptoms. His response, "Ya know, I really only had flu-like symptoms too...I was just trying to milk this for all the sympathy I could get"; as he dabs some topical lidocaine on the nickel size sore in his mouth so he can take a drink of water.
  • GraceLibby
    GraceLibby Member Posts: 88
    #11
    Kimba1505 said:

    Mark CAN be funny...
    I just shared with Mark the lame report done on NBC's Today Show (my favorite, by the way); and how treatment only results in some flu-like symptoms. His response, "Ya know, I really only had flu-like symptoms too...I was just trying to milk this for all the sympathy I could get"; as he dabs some topical lidocaine on the nickel size sore in his mouth so he can take a drink of water.

    Flu-Like Symptoms?
    No where in reading about H1N1 did I read anything about having a PEG installed in case of "flu-like symptoms". LOL!
  • RushFan
    RushFan Member Posts: 224
    #12
    GraceLibby said:

    Flu-Like Symptoms?
    No where in reading about H1N1 did I read anything about having a PEG installed in case of "flu-like symptoms". LOL!

    HI-larious
    Along with just a few little hiccups, I had flu-like symptoms too...problem was the symptoms had me at the sink, with a bucket and more kleenex than our household has ever used - ever.
    Just a walk in the park.

    Seriously, my wife and I have remarked several times after talking with friends about our adventure that "they really have no idea"...and you know, I didn't either...but I sure do now.

    Best to all,
    Chuck.
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #13
    Get No Respect
    Hi DelNative,
    I like your metaphor. I can see Rodney jerking at his tie and saying "I can't get no respect. Everytime I get into an elevator the operator looks at me and says, 'Basement?'"

    I went to my ENT recently--post surgery follow up--and he had a doctor in training shadowing him. He introduced us and said, "Hal is recovering from base of tongue cancer . . ." and I had to stop him. I told the new doctor that I was recovering from "treatment" for cancer. Even my ENT had forgotten. Like many of the lucky ones here, I never suffered much from the BOT cancer, but am doggedly attempting to recover from treatment. If my ENT can't keep it straight, it's hard to expect the average non-patient to get it.

    Hal
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    #14
    RushFan said:

    HI-larious
    Along with just a few little hiccups, I had flu-like symptoms too...problem was the symptoms had me at the sink, with a bucket and more kleenex than our household has ever used - ever.
    Just a walk in the park.

    Seriously, my wife and I have remarked several times after talking with friends about our adventure that "they really have no idea"...and you know, I didn't either...but I sure do now.

    Best to all,
    Chuck.

    Walk in the Park
    Come on everybody it really was all just a walk in the park. Nothing to it. A piece of cake. Yea right. While I have had easier than some it still was anything but flu like.

    Steve
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #15
    Hal61 said:

    Get No Respect
    Hi DelNative,
    I like your metaphor. I can see Rodney jerking at his tie and saying "I can't get no respect. Everytime I get into an elevator the operator looks at me and says, 'Basement?'"

    I went to my ENT recently--post surgery follow up--and he had a doctor in training shadowing him. He introduced us and said, "Hal is recovering from base of tongue cancer . . ." and I had to stop him. I told the new doctor that I was recovering from "treatment" for cancer. Even my ENT had forgotten. Like many of the lucky ones here, I never suffered much from the BOT cancer, but am doggedly attempting to recover from treatment. If my ENT can't keep it straight, it's hard to expect the average non-patient to get it.

    Hal

    Great point Hal
    I have the same experience. During the time I "had" cancer I felt awesome, ate anything I liked, had enormous energy, and a fat belly. Now I am experienced, as Jimi might say.

    I'm going to follow up my email to the today Show with an email to AMC and SPOHNC and get them on the ball with giving more information to these "news" agencies so they can talk intelligently about treatment from this cancer. Let's ask Mr Douglas in a few weeks if he's experiencing any "flu-like symptoms" and see what he says. Sheesh.

    Best,

    Mick
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #16
    GRRR - can we get an interview with a HNC survivor please?
    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,599668,00.html

    Some choice quotes:

    "Some side effects that Douglas may experience from his chemotherapy and radiation treatments include fatigue, nausea, pain when swallowing, change in taste and skin reactions like dryness around the neck ... all of these symptoms are temporary."

    Temporary means what? A few weeks or a year from end-of-treatment? The difference is significant.

    “In general the chemotherapy treatments for head and neck cancers do not make you lose your hair”

    Hands up: how many lost hair to either chemo or radiation? My hand is up.

    “Treatment can temporarily affect the voice because radiation can irritate the throat"

    Yeah my throat got irritated alright. Like I drank Draino.

    Nothing at all about HPV.

    Mick
  • johnlax38
    johnlax38 Member Posts: 136
    #17
    micktissue said:

    GRRR - can we get an interview with a HNC survivor please?
    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,599668,00.html

    Some choice quotes:

    "Some side effects that Douglas may experience from his chemotherapy and radiation treatments include fatigue, nausea, pain when swallowing, change in taste and skin reactions like dryness around the neck ... all of these symptoms are temporary."

    Temporary means what? A few weeks or a year from end-of-treatment? The difference is significant.

    “In general the chemotherapy treatments for head and neck cancers do not make you lose your hair”

    Hands up: how many lost hair to either chemo or radiation? My hand is up.

    “Treatment can temporarily affect the voice because radiation can irritate the throat"

    Yeah my throat got irritated alright. Like I drank Draino.

    Nothing at all about HPV.

    Mick

    Those were almost the exact
    Those were almost the exact words on the Today show, can't remember the woman doctor they used. I wanted to slap Matt Lauer for allowing her to say such things. It was so nonchalant that it made me sick to my stomach listening to it. I wish the best for Mike because we all know how it is but these freakin reporters need to know the facts before running them off like sport statistics.
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #18
    johnlax38 said:

    Those were almost the exact
    Those were almost the exact words on the Today show, can't remember the woman doctor they used. I wanted to slap Matt Lauer for allowing her to say such things. It was so nonchalant that it made me sick to my stomach listening to it. I wish the best for Mike because we all know how it is but these freakin reporters need to know the facts before running them off like sport statistics.

    Dr Nancy Snyderman, HNC "expert"
    Just emailed SPOHNC and ANC and my local chapter of SPOHNC - I WANT TO AGITATE!!!

    Best,

    Mick
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #19
    micktissue said:

    Dr Nancy Snyderman, HNC "expert"
    Just emailed SPOHNC and ANC and my local chapter of SPOHNC - I WANT TO AGITATE!!!

    Best,

    Mick

    Treatment
    My medical Oncologist mentioned to me that once treatment started I would feel like I had been in a bad Accident. He got that right!
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #20
    micktissue said:

    GRRR - can we get an interview with a HNC survivor please?
    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,599668,00.html

    Some choice quotes:

    "Some side effects that Douglas may experience from his chemotherapy and radiation treatments include fatigue, nausea, pain when swallowing, change in taste and skin reactions like dryness around the neck ... all of these symptoms are temporary."

    Temporary means what? A few weeks or a year from end-of-treatment? The difference is significant.

    “In general the chemotherapy treatments for head and neck cancers do not make you lose your hair”

    Hands up: how many lost hair to either chemo or radiation? My hand is up.

    “Treatment can temporarily affect the voice because radiation can irritate the throat"

    Yeah my throat got irritated alright. Like I drank Draino.

    Nothing at all about HPV.

    Mick

    Saw it-
    At work during the first break. Did mumble something along the lines of X!^? #$%/ a couple times. Must admit, though, I really did feel a little tired a couple of times during treatment. Didn't get anxious about it, though. Asked myself, "How would Butkus deal with this?" Oh yeah, I did tough it out, and that danged fatigue finally went away after a good 8-plus hours of sleep one night! And, heck, now I find-out the fatigue was a symptom the AMA recognizes! Sure wish they'd told me going-in, you know. Woulda spared me a good half-hour of worrying...

    Mr. Douglas has a place of note in the world, folks. Would be kinda cool if he'd open some eyes as to what we go/have been thru, including the lasting side-effects. I'm not saying a movie about it, necessarily, but maybe an interview down the road on tv would be cool. There was Klugman, years ago, and I remember an interview with him. Mighta even been 60 Minutes.

    And, Mr. Douglas, if you read this- getting about time to roll-up the shirtsleeves, and find a mean-kinda grin to wear down the road. You'll survive this thing, so get used to it. And

    Believe

    kcass
  • RushFan
    RushFan Member Posts: 224
    #21
    Kent Cass said:

    Saw it-
    At work during the first break. Did mumble something along the lines of X!^? #$%/ a couple times. Must admit, though, I really did feel a little tired a couple of times during treatment. Didn't get anxious about it, though. Asked myself, "How would Butkus deal with this?" Oh yeah, I did tough it out, and that danged fatigue finally went away after a good 8-plus hours of sleep one night! And, heck, now I find-out the fatigue was a symptom the AMA recognizes! Sure wish they'd told me going-in, you know. Woulda spared me a good half-hour of worrying...

    Mr. Douglas has a place of note in the world, folks. Would be kinda cool if he'd open some eyes as to what we go/have been thru, including the lasting side-effects. I'm not saying a movie about it, necessarily, but maybe an interview down the road on tv would be cool. There was Klugman, years ago, and I remember an interview with him. Mighta even been 60 Minutes.

    And, Mr. Douglas, if you read this- getting about time to roll-up the shirtsleeves, and find a mean-kinda grin to wear down the road. You'll survive this thing, so get used to it. And

    Believe

    kcass

    Please...
    Somebody...please send a link to this thread to all major news outlets. My wife and I are laughing our off.

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