| Joined: May 2015 Posts: 2 Member | OP Member Joined: May 2015 Posts: 2 | hi. I"m a new member who's been recently diagnosed with SCC, stage IV. primary tumor was in my tonsils, which came out 3 weeks ago. Had a port-a-cath and a g-tube placed last week. All in prep for radiation 5 days/wk and chemo 1 day/wk for 7 weeks, to begin June 1. very apprehensive about it all.
61 yr old female. no signs/symptoms except a swelling on right neck. area biopsied, diagnosed SCC mid April 2015. PET scan soon followed, show right tonsil was primary site. Stage IV 2 lymph nodes affected. +P16. non smoker, non drinker. tonsils out 5/4, port placed 5/19, g-tube placed 5/22. radiation 5 days/wk, cisplat 1 day/wk to begin 6/1/2015. | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 | Welcome to the family, Skatejackson. Sorry you need to be here but you're now part of us. Please ask any and all questions however trivial they might seem to you. We're here to help.
Apprehension is all part of it. But we'll help you get through it! Suggest you start eating all the foods you love. Don't worry about calories, eat big and often. I'm sure Christine will be here on the thread shortly to give you more pointed advice and support.
David 2 SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | 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. You are in the best place for info and support. We will be here to help you get thru the next rough months.
The most important thing you can do is start pushing yourself with your daily intake. During rads and for at least the first year you need at least 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. No skimping as that quickly turns into a cycle of playing catch up which never happens. End result of the catch up game is hospitalization for malnutrition and/or dehydration. Bottom line, your intake is what will make the whole thing easier, if you can take more in thats even better and can only help. If you need extra fluids, your doc can write a prescription for extra hydration in the chemo lab.
Line up a bunch of helpers. You might not be driving and need help to get to your rads. You might need help with many small tasks that other would be happy to pitch in and give you a hand if you ask. The American Cancer Society can help with volunteer drivers and/or a pharmacy voucher to help cover up to $300 of prescriptions or your co-pays.
Hang in there!!!
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: Mar 2015 Posts: 55 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 55 | Well, you've found the place that has kept me going since my very similar diagnosis in late March. The folks here are a wealth of information and support.
My treatment is very much the same as yours, but I am not having a port installed, and my PEG goes in tomorrow. I'll be watching with interest your progress and sharing my own. Welcome, and here's to us!
Peter, age 62 at Dx 3/27/15 Dx T2N2aM0 Tonsilar P16+ G3 SCC 4/6/15 Full PET clear except for above 4/24/15 TOLM tonsillectomy/clear margins. Neck dissection 20 nodes (1 w/cancer & extracapsular extension) 5/28/15 PEG in 5/27 - 7/10/15 Daily Radiation to 66 units cumulative; Cisplatin weekly X 7 8/24/15 PEG out 9/24/15 Full body PET - N.E.D. 12/22/15 CT and physical exam. Continued clear. 3/11/16 Physical exam. Continued clear. 7/12/16 One year post-treatment! CT clear. 7/7/17 2 years post - still clear
| | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 2 Member | OP Member Joined: May 2015 Posts: 2 | PJE- Yes, we have strong parallels! I'll be vested in following your progress as well. Knowing I'm not alone somehow brings calm inside me. Hang in there!!! Kate
61 yr old female. no signs/symptoms except a swelling on right neck. area biopsied, diagnosed SCC mid April 2015. PET scan soon followed, show right tonsil was primary site. Stage IV 2 lymph nodes affected. +P16. non smoker, non drinker. tonsils out 5/4, port placed 5/19, g-tube placed 5/22. radiation 5 days/wk, cisplat 1 day/wk to begin 6/1/2015. | | | | Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 2 Member | Member Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 2 | Hi, I may be starting radiation soon, would like to keep in touch with you and know how you are doing with your radiation and what if any side effects you may have.
| | | | 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 | Supermom, I dont want to take anything away from Kate's thread by having everyone welcome you so on behalf of all OCF members... WELCOME to our group.
One important thing to understand about this disease is everyone is different and will respond in their own way. What Kate experiences could be completely opposite of what you or any other member will go thru during rads. My advice is to focus on your intake and read this forum so you can educate yourself to be a strong advocate. 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 | | |
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