Cellulitis and Hearing Zebras

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DrMary
DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Doug developed swelling on his neck about 2 weeks back - it was on the side of his neck dissection (which was done a little more than a year ago) and ran along the same path as his carotid artery. Lots of possibilities ran through my mind, including an aneurism. He was due to see his chemo guy anyway, so waited another week until the appointment (hey, most aneurisms take a while before they go, right?).

Anyway, I was looking for those zebras when we only had hoof prints. The swelling went down during that week, as did the discomfort (he said it felt tight, and almost like a pulled muscle). Chemo guy suspects it was cellulitis, caused by an ingrown hair - he said it can also be caused by a shaving nick, or an insect bite. H&NC folks are more prone to it - such infections are usually handled well by the lymph system. In Doug's case, he didn't need antibiotics, but the doctor said he should call and get a prescription if it happens again.

Anyone else run into cellulitis?

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  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #2
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    No experience whatsoever
    but just wanted to say hello to you and Doug. Glad it just turned out to be zebra prints. The zebra reference reminds me of "KIMBA" for some reason. Haven't heard much from her lately. Thanks for making me laugh this morning with the week wait for the aneurysm. I miss your informative posts.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #3
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    Absolutely
    Fortunately, for me, I had a case of cellulitis.

    My GP diagnosed me with cellulitis and prescribed Keflex. At some time just before or after this dx, I went to OncoMan and was advised that I had massive cancer in my lungs (at the time I was 'only' a head/neck cancer survivor). There were no options and I had as little as 10 months to live.

    But he wanted to wait a couple of months and do another scan.

    In the meantime, the Keflex was working on both the cellulitis AND the lung infection they had mistakenly assumed was life-ending lung cancer metastasis.

    Following the second scan, the 'cancer' had disappeared from all areas but one in my right lower lobe.

    One lobectormy later and I am an NED (No Evidence of Disease). The cellulitis saved my life in a sense.

    Not that I recommend it to anyone.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
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    soccerfreaks said:

    Absolutely
    Fortunately, for me, I had a case of cellulitis.

    My GP diagnosed me with cellulitis and prescribed Keflex. At some time just before or after this dx, I went to OncoMan and was advised that I had massive cancer in my lungs (at the time I was 'only' a head/neck cancer survivor). There were no options and I had as little as 10 months to live.

    But he wanted to wait a couple of months and do another scan.

    In the meantime, the Keflex was working on both the cellulitis AND the lung infection they had mistakenly assumed was life-ending lung cancer metastasis.

    Following the second scan, the 'cancer' had disappeared from all areas but one in my right lower lobe.

    One lobectormy later and I am an NED (No Evidence of Disease). The cellulitis saved my life in a sense.

    Not that I recommend it to anyone.

    Take care,

    Joe

    Great Outcome
    To that story Joe.... Glad that you are around to share it....

    My best to you and the family brother...

    ~John
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #5
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Great Outcome
    To that story Joe.... Glad that you are around to share it....

    My best to you and the family brother...

    ~John

    And the look on the onco's face?
    Did you at least get a "sorry for scaring you" out of him? Still, I'm glad it was a good outcome, Joe. Great story.

    I've missed reading the list daily - things got busy this year and I didn't really feel I had much to contribute anymore. I felt a bit guilty about this for a while - after all, we got so much help from folks who were months and years out of treatment. However, the few times I looked in, someone else had already posted the advice I would have given - this list is blessed with experienced members.
  • Goalie
    Goalie Member Posts: 184
    #6
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    DrMary said:

    And the look on the onco's face?
    Did you at least get a "sorry for scaring you" out of him? Still, I'm glad it was a good outcome, Joe. Great story.

    I've missed reading the list daily - things got busy this year and I didn't really feel I had much to contribute anymore. I felt a bit guilty about this for a while - after all, we got so much help from folks who were months and years out of treatment. However, the few times I looked in, someone else had already posted the advice I would have given - this list is blessed with experienced members.

    actually
    It was when Mary thought it might be something serious that I made the appointment. But the first I could get was for a week later and since I had to play hockey that night I cetianly didn't want to go the ER because I might miss my game. You figure if it bursts on the ice that's life ... or death.

    But it is significantly better and we learned something as well. Mary does such a good job of taking care of me and massaging my neck with oil that the scar is almost invisible and we have no buildup of fluids. But learning to live with no lymph nodes is still an adventure.

    And I second Mary's praise and thanks to you all. You were there when it was so bad for us. We try to jump in here when we can but have also been talking to folks here in the Washington area and offering more direct help. When I do though, I ususally go in and grab an excerpt from one of our conversations and say "Look, these people all have this and this is what they are saying about it. You should read this as well." And I always point to the Superthread.

    Anyway, I send big hugs to you all. Doug
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #7
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    Only on occasion
    I have had half a dozen episodes of saladenitis since my first rads in 1998. Both right and left side. With some of them I have been just swollen and red. With others I was sicker'n hell. Most have related causally to mild dehydration in the summer, working outdoors. Not much fun.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
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    ratface said:

    No experience whatsoever
    but just wanted to say hello to you and Doug. Glad it just turned out to be zebra prints. The zebra reference reminds me of "KIMBA" for some reason. Haven't heard much from her lately. Thanks for making me laugh this morning with the week wait for the aneurysm. I miss your informative posts.

    Kimba - The White Lion...
    LOL, you always kill me, LOL...your sub-conscious must be working again...like Ratface and Splinter....

    Kimba is the white lion or character.... So my presumption of your thinking of Zebra's and Kimba are related.

    Good seeing you DM, wishing you and Doug continued good health and symptoms that turn out to be much of nothing...(relatively speaking).

    In answer to the original question...I have not had any issues with celluitus.

    Best,
    John

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