#14448 07-28-2003 10:33 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2 | Hello I was diag with tonsil cancer with met to the left side node stage 3. I just recently finished my rad treatment and am dealing with all the problems and emotions. I am glad I found this sight because it helps me to know that all that I am feeling is normal and I am not going crazy. I have a feeding tube and dealing with this is very hard. I have only had it for about 8 wks but if I did not have it I would have withered away. To any one who is thinking of getting one I stongly recommend it even if it is hard to deal with. I believe that with out it I would not be healing as fast as I am,although it feels like an eternity. I am glad to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how far it may seem. Well so long for now and keep your chin up life will get better I know. | | |
#14449 07-28-2003 11:20 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Welcome, Nicholas. Glad you found us. I and lots of others have weathered radiation and are doing fine today, so never give up hope. It just takes time for your body to recover from those evil death rays. And amen to the PEG! At the risk of being a nag, drink extra water during this hot summer, as dehydration is always lurking, which is something you do NOT want to deal with. Having finished your treatments, you may well be able to answer questions for people who are just beginning. Always nice to have another person on board!
Joanna | | |
#14450 07-28-2003 06:09 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hang in there Nicholas, It gets better a little each day. Yes the mind is now where you have to work to stay on top.
Take care and keep posting.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#14451 07-29-2003 04:11 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2 | Thank you for your replies it is nice to hear from those who have been there. It is also nice to know that this is just a bump in the road of life although a big one. Well thanks again and as I have been promised this to will pass. | | |
#14452 07-29-2003 05:32 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 11 Member | | Member
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 11 | Hey NICHOLAS, you and I have a couple of things in common, we're both about the same age and live in Houston.
Hang in there, things will get much better soon. I'm 15 weeks out from finishing my radiation and had a neck dissection 6 weeks ago.
The good news is I had my PEG tube removed on July 10th (had it since March 27th), I went back to work full time last week. Even though my taste has not fully come back yet, I'm eating just about anything I want (of course I need a sip of water with every bite!, but that's ok).
Every week now it seems I can do something that I couldn't do last week. While I know everyone is different, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
Stay positive and good things will come!
Randy Z.
RAZ
SCC base of tongue w/ nodes on right side
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#14453 07-29-2003 05:01 PM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 | Nicholas,
I am also from Houston and finished my treatment last Sept. Welcome to the board. Please contact me if I can ever be of any kind of help to you. It sounds like young guys like you and Randy Z. heal quicker than us old guys!
Take care,
Danny G.
Stage IV Base of Tongue SCC
Diagnosed July 1, 2002, chemo and radiation treatments completed beginning of Sept/02.
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#14454 08-05-2003 09:07 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Hi Nicholas,
people told me that progress after radiation was measured in three week increments and I found that to be true. I also found that radiation effects continued full force for over three weeks after cessation of treatment - THEN things slowly started to get better. I am 138 days out today, eating well, putting weight back on and starting to enjoy life again. Like others have said, I went into the radiation thinking it was going to be a piece of cake and about three weeks into it I was extremely humbled. Hang in there, I promise it will get better.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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