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Jms297
Jms297 Member Posts: 4
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello everyone,

My name is Jim and was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of my right tonsil on January 6 after experiencing a Mini stroke.  When checking my carotid arteries after the mini stroke they found a mass on a lymph node on right side of neck.  I had a neck dissection on February 28 to remove 30 lymphnodes and TORS surgery three days later to remove the tonsil, part of soft palate and back of the tongue.  Luckily I had almost no pain from either surgery but having the trach in for two weeks played on my mind and drove me crazy.  Tightness in my neck is really bothering me now and I feel lime someone has their hand squeezing the right side of my neck. It started two or three weeks after the surgeries and I was told that I can't do any therapy until after radiation.  Yesterday I had my first radiation treatment and  I have read all possible side effects so hopefully things aren't too bad and my neck doesn't get any worse.  The good news is only 29 more treatments left. 

Thanks to everyone who post here as it has kept me informed and makes it  a little easier reading all the encouragement from others who know what we are going through. 

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  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
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    welcome

    Hi Jim,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are here. I am glad you did not have much pain, maybe that is an indicator of how your rad side effects will behave (my fingers are crossed).

    Making it easier is what we strive for.  Any hints we can provide may be the ticket you need.

    Drink lots of water and swallow often. 

    Your neck massages and stretching will be waiting for you.

    Good luck,

    Matt

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #3
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    Welcome Jim

    As Matt stated, I'm sorry you are here in the first place, but this site is very helpful to many. If you haven't done so yet, take a look at the information in the Superthread at the top of this page. There is a lot of useful information contributed by many. 

    Yes, the neck dissection has it's side effects on us in different ways. As Matt mentioned, the gentle massage and neck exeercises will be taught to you afterwards by a Physical Therapist. Apply some lotion recommended by the Nurses to help with the radiation on your neck so you don't blister or dry out and crack. Ask questions when needed, vent if needed as well, we are good listeners.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • Elisec
    Elisec Member Posts: 11
    #4
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    Proton vs Tomo

    We are fortunate enough to be somewhat close to facilities that offer both forms of radiation. Any thoughts on which might be better?

  • Chicklette
    Chicklette Member Posts: 225
    #5
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    Elisec said:

    Proton vs Tomo

    We are fortunate enough to be somewhat close to facilities that offer both forms of radiation. Any thoughts on which might be better?

    Itvdepends

    each case is different.  My husband is being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital.  They have a proton center, but since my husband has an unknown primary, they are doing "regular" IMRT.  Listen to your medical team and make an informed choice.  Trust your doctors.  If you don't, then find new doctors that you do trust.

  • rsp
    rsp Member Posts: 103 Member
    #6
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    Elisec said:

    Proton vs Tomo

    We are fortunate enough to be somewhat close to facilities that offer both forms of radiation. Any thoughts on which might be better?

    Proton vs Tomo

    My husband finished his Tomo treatments on December 23rd. We are also close to a proton facility as well as Tomo.  My husband was all for the proton therapy until... we visited the oncologist who worked at the hospital with the Tomo, and what he told us immediately changed my husband's mind.  

    The oncologist said the Proton therapy is SO precise, that if there are ANY cancer cells floating just beyone where the beam stops... the proton therapy would miss it... UGH!  My husband heard that and his mind was made up!  He did the chemo and radiation treatments at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  It was a rough ride, but he made it through.  PET scan is at the end of this month.  Praying for a great report.

    Best of luck to you!

    Hope this helped a little. 

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