#28066 05-23-2006 03:29 PM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: May 2006 Posts: 20 | I have been following and using this site since I was diagnosed with tongue cancer in Feb. 2006. I am 34 years old. The board has given me great information and I appreciate everyone's stories.
I had surgery to remove the tumor, neck dissection to remove the lymph nodes and just finished radiation treatment on May 17. Cancer was Stage 1 with no node involvement.
I knew of all the side effects that could potentially occur during radiation but I am surprised at how I feel now that radiation is done. I kind of feel crappy and I was wondering if this is normal and if other people experienced the same things. I guess I thought I would feel great once treatment ended.
For instance, I have a dry cough now..it seems to be getting better though. I am also very tired. Believe it or not, I was not really tired at all during radiation. How long do you feel so tired? And also, when does the swelling and pain in the mouth go away- right after treatment was done, it felt like my tongue was on fire. I also drink Ensure and have pasta...that is all I can really eat right now. When were people able to expand their food selection (I so need a cheeseburger!)
My oncologist said that I should start feeling alot better after 2 weeks.
Anyway, any insight people can provide after experiencing their tongue being radiated would be appreciated. thanks.
Female, 36 yrs. old. Stage 1 tongue cancer; no lymph nodes; surgery & radiation
| | |
#28067 05-23-2006 05:58 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Perfectly normal to feel "crappy" at this point. I felt "crappy" for over 6 months. I slowly turned the corner at 3 weeks post Tx.
The radiation effects continue to build up until about the 3rd week post Tx. You won't notice any big changes - it's a long and slow process.
The fact that you can eat anything right now tells me that you are way ahead of the curve on this one.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** 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) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
| | |
#28068 05-24-2006 01:03 PM | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 101 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 101 | scrambled eggs with cheese!!! Try those, leave them a little wet and they go down very easily!!! P.S. Erik liked the taste of Boost better than Ensure. Erik is just 6 weeks out of treatment and was able to eat Tuna steak and salmon because they are pretty soft proteins. Jennie
Caregiver to Erik -1st DX 12/22/2005 SCC of Tongue, T3N1M0, hemi-glossectomy,60 nodes removed, carboplatnin,Erbitux, 35Rads. Reoccurrence T1N0M0 4/14/08-partial glossectomy-16 weeks Erbitux and Taxol- 3rd reoccurrence 5/18/12- partial glossectomy
| | |
#28069 05-24-2006 02:07 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Hey B018, something John had success with[besides pastas, soups, etc.] was chicken thighs baked and smothered in gravy or mild bbq sauce and Baby back pork ribs, slow baked in the oven with bbq sauce. [he has no teeth to chew with, but these meats went down well in small bites] Lust after the cheeseburger-but proceed with caution Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
:
| | |
Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,927 Members13,104 | Most Online458 Jan 16th, 2020 | | | |