24 years old Nose Cancer

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RANDON
RANDON Member Posts: 1

Hi guys, 

I'm currently 24 and is diagnosed with Stage 3 NasoPharyngeal Carcinoma. I'm at my 25th radiotherapy and 5th chemo session. The doctors expect me to finish 33 radio sessions with chemo once a week for 7 weeks and then a one month break. Currently im on Cisplatin.

After one month, im due to go for 8 more chemo sessions of 5FU and Cisplatin over the course of 2 months. 

Side effects wise:

I get headaches once in awhile and the doc mentioned that its the cancer attempting to root into my bones which scares me quite a bit because I'm already almost done with my radio sessions why is it still causing me headaches?

Mucousitis in my mouth but i think its quite tolerable to swallow. I prefer drinking cold liquid as it numbs the pain after a few swallows. However instead of ulcers, most of the wounds around my lips and gums are white and not yellow, can someone tell me what is it? Its looks like a thin wall of white membrane all over the place.

I've been coughing out chunks of yellow phelgm for the past few days, this is one of the most painful side effects so far due to the need to cough out. The doctor prescribed some medication to dissolve the phelgm but it made my throat a lot worse after drinking the solution. Any alternative methods to control the phelgm?

The skin around my neck has slight tears but still managable, it just feels itchy, dry and irritable for most of the day. I'm using my own moisturiser and radio treatment cream.

Appetite wise I'm on 6 packs of ensure milk a day as recommended by the doctor, i can still swallow and eat soft/wet food but i get full pretty quick and the lack in appetite doesnt help. I do eat fruits like watermelons, rock melons, honey dews. The juicer the fruit, the easier it is to swallow! 

I was 67kg before my therapy started and i fattened up a bit to 69kg just before my first radiotherapy. Now im currently sitting between 63-64kg. Any other suggestions to up my calorie intake through drinks or fruits?

I just wanted to share what im going through here as i found this site really useful. I hope that my experience can aid the others going through this. 

 

 

 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
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    welcome

    Randon,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are here.

    Are you rinsing with the saltwater and baking soda mixture?  It helps cleans your mouth.  I always had a half gallon at the ready for use.

    I made a lot of smoothies and doctored them up with protein powder, veg. oil and nuts to increase the calories.  There are high calorie drinks available.

    You sound about normal or better for someone as far along as you are. I wish you continued luck and don’t forget to drink lots of water.

    Matt