| Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 17 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 17 | Hey to all ! I am currently in treatment for SCC of the vocal cords, Stage 1. I have completed 27 IMRT treatments. My concern, dumb as it is, I do not seem to be having the side effects that just about everyone has. I can still eat, my voice has actually gotten better. I even asked my RO if he was giving me enough "juice". My TX are 5 days a week and the current plan is 39 total treatments. No PEG. I feel terrible after reading so many posts about the difficulties other people are having. I an just afraid the TX may not get the cancer if I am not having the side effects.
58 yrs Female Vocal cord cancer T1NOMO DX 3/05/10 Started TX 3/18/10 with IMRT 39 total treatments Smoker- quit at DX No PEG
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | We can all react differently to the same Tx and by my estimates of the people that come to this site is that 10% "breeze" through, 10% really have a horrible time almost from the get-go and 80% of us just suffer pretty bad from about week 4 thru 2 to 3 weeks post Tx. My Dr Trotti, RO at Moffitt estimates from his client base 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. We may see more in my 80% class since more people would come to this site in need of help than perhaps the general population? Chemo can also make a real negative difference in our concurrent experience and certainly pre Tx surgery can add to one's negative experience as well.
Anyway, whatever class you fall into and for whatever reason, enjoy not having the bad reaction many of us do.
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.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Baymomma,
Count your blessings and don't feel guilty about posting your outcome. There are many who come to these boards who need to see the whole spectrum of treatments, effects and outcomes. Some posts are very hard to read and others are very encouraging. You�re an encouraging poster.
I did almost as well as you, and am back to just about normal 6 months out.
Keep us up to date on your progress
Kelly Male 48, SCC (Soft Palet) Rt., Stage 1, T3n0m0, Dx, 8-09, Start IMRT 35 9-2-09 end 10-21-09 04-20-10 NED 8-11 recurrence, node rt. neck N2b 10-11 33 IMRT w/chemo wkly 3-12-12 PET - residual cancer 4-12 5 treatments with Cyberknife & Erbitux 6-19-12 Pet scan CLEAR 12-3-12 PET - CLEAR
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Keep up that attitude and you will be fine. We are all in your corner.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 17 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 17 | Thanks to all for the replies. I actually had lost 1/4 lb yesterday at the doc. I am still + 2lb since I began treatment. Doc thinks that is one reason I have done so well, I took the whole nutrition thing very seriously and eating anything and everything I want ! LOL In the middle of all this my husband was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease(PAD) and has had 2 stents put in his leg. Another round to go in his other leg. I know I can get through this after seeing what a difficult time so many on this forum have had. The thing that really scares me is a reoccurrence . I am sooo lucky that mine was in my vocal cords and early and I have only required RT.
58 yrs Female Vocal cord cancer T1NOMO DX 3/05/10 Started TX 3/18/10 with IMRT 39 total treatments Smoker- quit at DX No PEG
| | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Welcome Baymamma: You will love this forum and the vast information and help you will receive. Nice to have another Alabamian Julieann
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF. Its always so nice to hear from someone who is getting thru this easily. Makes others realize that it isnt so bad for everyone. Best of luck with everything, hope you continue to sail right thru. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 17 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 17 | Thanks ! It is nice to have another person from the south. I am originally from Huntsville in No Alabama. We "retired" to the Gulf Coast. The other thing about all of this is giving up the smokes after so many years. They are no longer an option but on top of going through this scary illness, I had to quit those too. Makes it tough but I am determined. It really does help to read all the stories and info . Julia
58 yrs Female Vocal cord cancer T1NOMO DX 3/05/10 Started TX 3/18/10 with IMRT 39 total treatments Smoker- quit at DX No PEG
| | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 24 Member | Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 24 | Baymamma,
What part of the Gulf Coast do you live on... My Brother and Parents both live in Orange Beach and we get down ther quite a bit from Atlanta... I love it down there, my brother owns a sailboat and runs sailing charters....
Nice to see you found this board, this is a great group of people...
Tommy
Tommy
Initial Staging T1N0M0 Invasive SCC of the R Lateral tongue Moderately Differentiated Evidence of Perinureal Invasion Depth > 3 cm Diag on: 03/25/2010 Partial Glossectomy and Modified Neck Disscection on 04/21/2010 Clear Margins/No Radiation or Chemo Age 40 Former Smoker Quit 1/03/2010
| | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 235 | This post just made me wonder---I noticed that most people get somewhere between 30-35 rounds of radiation. But is there a standard amount that is given? For example,Baymamma is in Stage one so might she be getting a different amount of radiation than a stage 4? I thought I remembered Dave's RO saying that she was hitting different areas with different amounts of radiation(of course, those days are a big blur too.LOL).
At any rate, baymamma,I'm so sorry to hear that you and your husband are dealing with two medical conditions at once. But thrilled to hear you are having an easier time. I certainly don't think the no pain no gain rule applies here. It is great to hear about someone having an easier time of it.
CG to Spouse BOT, Chemo and radiation started on March 29,2010 Ended on May 14,2010. LET THE HEALING BEGIN!!!
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