newly diagnosed and questions

Dean54
Dean54 Member Posts: 160 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Had a painless lump pop up on the left side of my neck that needle biopsy confimed was a cancerous lymph node and already had a tonsillectomy yesterday to get the ball rolling. Said chemo and radiation is to follow. UGH.

First question, my pain is pretty bad right now from the operation but if I take any of the prescibed narcotics to relieve it I can't hardly urinate which has me to believe I may have kidney problems and or prostate. 

Anybody else have this problem and wondered the solution? Liquid Advil works ok but I know it's hard on the kidneys also.

 

 

Comments

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

    Dean 54,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are here, but it was a left neck lymph node which brought me here too.

    No question, you will need to urinate and the drugs and diet to get you there is a phone call away, from your doctor.  Usually, constipation is a favorite side effect to get the treatment ball rolling.  Zofran is famous.  Urinary is a bit different. Are you drinking lots of water?  That is normally recommended for H&N cancer. It keeps you hydrated, flushes your system and helps with the future swallowing.

    If you need pain meds, take them. You want to be able to fight this stuff and it sometimes takes personal effort.  Always keep your team informed on all changes or problems.  It often takes  a weekend of discomfort to learn that lesson. You can also call a pharmacy.

    Best of luck, I will be pulling for you.

    Matt

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    #3
    Welcome

    and sorry you are having difficult time.  Yes, keep your medical team advised of adverse side effects.  I have not heard of this side effect either.

    Chemo and rads are not fun, but doable, as most hear will attest.  It is key to advise staff as to side effects, as you will have some, and there is help for them.

    Best Wishes,

    Crystal

     

  • Dean54
    Dean54 Member Posts: 160 Member
    edited August 2017 #4
    Thanks for the kind words and

    Thanks for the kind words and advice Matt and Crystal. Ended up at the ER last nite from severve bleeding and vomiting but seem better today after finally getting some sleep and getting a little food in me.

    Even tho the liquid Advil works better on me than the narcos the doctor advised me due to bleeding issues, to stick with the latter. New problem with that..hiccups. WTH? Better get used to pain and suffering if I want to live.

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #5
    Its wrong way to think

    Dont think of it as pain and suffering - think of it as an endurance course!

     

    And yes, No advil, only Tylenol.

     

    Its a rollercoaster, just buckle in for the ride!

  • Mavish
    Mavish Member Posts: 84 Member
    #6
    Hi 54

    I am sorry that you are here. I had my right tonsil removed last year for the same reason and lymp nodes. I used liquid tylenol after the surgery. I had to use narcotics during and after radiotherapy. Initially, it was difficult to tolerate side effects such as vomiting and nausea. Some changes in urination (not complete lack of) and severe constipation. My doctor priscribed me liquid morphine and advised me to start with very love doses. By the time, my body get used to it, I took them quite a long time as needed. I also use tylenol to decrease the need for narcotics. Pain control is importat part of healing, help us to get rest and eat. I always talked to my healthcare team for solutions. They were very helpful. There are different types of narcotics that they can try. Take care.

  • Dean54
    Dean54 Member Posts: 160 Member
    #7
    I finally go in for a PET

    I finally go in for a PET scan and first console with an oncologist today to find out the gory details. Nervous about how far it's spread.

  • Dean54
    Dean54 Member Posts: 160 Member
    #8
    Found out the gory details.

    Found out the gory details. First have to get wisdom teeth cut out and then feeding tube put in. Cancer seems to be isolated to one large lympth node and 3 small ones on left side after the tonsills were removed.

    Going to do 33 radiation treatments plus, if my kidneys will take it, 3 does of cisplatin or 6 weeks of the weaker stuff if they won't. Hope I'm a new man by spring. 

  • Curlyn
    Curlyn Member Posts: 189
    #9
    Hi Dean, I'm new too but good

    Hi Dean, I'm new too but good advice here. I finally got narcotics and supplement with Tylenol and ibuprofen. Ativan when needed. I take very low dose but my surgeries caused nerve and muscle pain which was awful. On the flip side, I'm feeling better and more able to cope. Had my mask made for radiation and though I dreaded it, it honestly wasn't that scary. The techs we're right there and could pop it off at moment's notice. My teeth are good but not going to worry about what ifs...I will be thinking of you as I, too, get chemoradiation. Good luck!

  • Dean54
    Dean54 Member Posts: 160 Member
    #10
    Thanks Curlyn, I go in for

    Thanks Curlyn, I go in for the mask today and have so depressed I can't get out of bed. Wish I had your attitude. I've lost 15 pounds already and the treatments haven't even started.

  • Curlyn
    Curlyn Member Posts: 189
    #11
    Trust me, I've been dragged

    Trust me, I've been dragged kicking and screaming to this point. With pain control anything possible. Ask for Ativan if needed. It wasn't bad. Tell you are nervous.it will be ok.

  • pmsakom
    pmsakom Member Posts: 25
    #12
    New Caregiver

    Hi Curlyn and Dean,

         Just wanted to chime in.  My husband, DH, was just dx last week.  My best to you both as you go through this.  I find a lot of help in message boards and will try to post and not just lurk. 

         BTW, we're in Maryland, getting treatment at Johns Hopkins.  Where are you located?

    Melissa

     

  • Dean54
    Dean54 Member Posts: 160 Member
    #13
    pmsakom, Im located in

    pmsakom, Im located in Indiana and Curlyn, thanks for the suggestion, I may have to ask for something. I almost panicked with that mask thing, felt like I was smothering. Not sure how to get thru the depression.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #14
    Dean54 said:

    pmsakom, Im located in

    pmsakom, Im located in Indiana and Curlyn, thanks for the suggestion, I may have to ask for something. I almost panicked with that mask thing, felt like I was smothering. Not sure how to get thru the depression.

    mask time

    Dean54,

    I had to take 1 Lorazepam a ½ hour prior to rads.  I never liked the mask, but came to find it interesting.  I also had oldies rock and roll playing, when my  throat got bad I would take a hit of magic mouth wash out in the parking lot prior to zap, I had a whole procedure I followed and once around #30 I threw my hands up and asked for a do over, which I did.

    Many people breeze through the mask, you may be one of them, or not.  But don’t you worry, they are ready for you.

    Good luck.

    Matt

  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    edited September 2017 #15
    The Mask

    After about 10 treatments or so I kinda got used to the mask. I had them let me see if I could remove the mask by pulling all the pins out. Once I knew I could successfully do that the stress of being "Bolted" to the table anxiety decreased greatly. I as well CRANKED the music playlists off my phone. The louder the better. Good Luck.

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