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#107899 11-29-2009 02:51 PM
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Hello Folks,I was walking today think about the past couple of months. I thought I would share my experience
I had a hard treatment, My neck looked like raw meat, I lost my voice after about 20 treatments and I was 100% dependent on the PEG. I was very lucky to have an incredible support group including my wife and kids. I had lots of pain and was taking morphine for several months.

After several weeks post TX things did get better. I remember my first drink of water, after about 3 weeks my voice came back, though I sounded like a trol. at 5 weeks post I was off the Morphine and fentanl patches.

Over the last 10 weeks I have tried to walk almost every day, I am very slow and weak but still get to put one foot in front of the other. It is tough when old men in walkers pass me!

About a month ago I started to have fluid come through my nose when I drank fluid, I went to a speach therapist and have that mostly straightened out. They said it was very common for our cancer

The best news is now I am eating like a horse! I do take a sip of ensure with every bite, greese up the throat and I am finally gaining some weight.I also drink Muscle Milk, water is still iffy on my nose. I lost 35 pounds and have bird legs! With this new eating craze I do not use my Peg anymore so I hope to get it out shortly.

So other than the dry mouth and weakness I am OK. I know from reading all the great info on this site that it takes a long time to recover so I am just taking it day by day!

Steve


70 male, athlete...again
SSC of undetermined orgin , early july 09
40 tx radiation, 8 chemo cisplatin and ebuterx
finished TX in mid Sept 09
Clear at the 6 year mark!
Back to swimming, biking and running! just a tad slower
never regained my weight, even when I eat lots and lots, just a skinny guy now

Just way glad to be seeing the green side up!




tristeve #107935 11-30-2009 06:47 AM
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Steve,

You're on the right road. Congrats.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
davidcpa #107937 11-30-2009 07:13 AM
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Hi Steve, So glad to hear how well you are doing! Have you been able to enjoy any wine yet? In the past all wines have been to "bittie", but over Thanksgiving a tried a new wine. It comes in a blue bottle & its called "Relax" It is very smooth (white wine) Enjoy your walks in beautiful, sunny CA ! Here in NY we may get our 1st snow fall Wed. My son who lives in Sacramento loves to tell me how great the weather there is! Stay strong!! Dianne


BOT T3N2M0 No surgery, 38radiation treatments,4 chemo rounds, peg removed 11/08, still have a port. Treatments ended 6/20/08. So far, so Good ! "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much !"

*** Admin update --- Dianne has passed away on August 25, 2015 ***
Dianne MH #107946 11-30-2009 09:16 AM
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No wine or beer or soda, drives my mouth carzy! I will look for relax although my favorite beverage (wine) might be a thing of the past

Steve


70 male, athlete...again
SSC of undetermined orgin , early july 09
40 tx radiation, 8 chemo cisplatin and ebuterx
finished TX in mid Sept 09
Clear at the 6 year mark!
Back to swimming, biking and running! just a tad slower
never regained my weight, even when I eat lots and lots, just a skinny guy now

Just way glad to be seeing the green side up!




tristeve #107952 11-30-2009 10:08 AM
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Posts: 93
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It might take awhile but bet the wine will be in your future.

My husband was not a wine person but he enjoys it now.


caregiver to husband
right tonsil stage 3
35 IMRT TX completed 1/5/2007
PET Scan clear 3/07
biopsy 9/07 clear
1st yr PET scan 12/18/07 clear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 666
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Steve,
It took me nearly 1.5 years to be able to tolerate a glass of wine, and now I actually enjoy it again (in moderation). Anything with heavy carbonation is still iffy ie. sodas and beer, although a Guinness was ok fairly early on.

M

Last edited by Markus; 11-30-2009 10:25 AM.

Partial glossectomy (25%) anterior tongue. 4/6/07/. IMRT start @5/24/07 (3x) Erbitux start/end@ 5/24/07. IMRT wider field (30x) start 6/5/07. Weekly cisplatin (2x30mg/m2), then weekly carbo- (5x180mg/m2). End of Tx 19 July 07.
Markus #107958 11-30-2009 11:30 AM
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Posts: 2,152
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Try a Chablis or Pinot Griglio. An ice cube might if help if still too stong. I could do whites and beer before I could do most sodas even flat but then I was never really a soda drinker. The tannins in the reds bothered my tongue so it was a couple of years before I could drink reds. I imagine wine will be in your future.

Take care,
Eileen


----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
Eileen #107962 11-30-2009 02:28 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 148
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Great that you are on the "other side" and the side effects will gradually improve. I saw a real lift about 10 months out. Think about making the switch as there's nothing like an ice cold beer going down a treated throat. Best of luck for a rapid recovery.


Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".

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