#47072 08-14-2006 04:13 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 109 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 109 | I am so excited about being in "Currently in Treatment!!! I never thought this day would come...all that waiting, about wore me out! Ok, im dying to tell someone, I have OFFICIALY gone through "1" treatment of radiation!!! And only "29" more to go! Thanks to all my friends on here, i was soooo prepared for this, my doctor was even impressed! Ok, on a more serious note...It wasnt that bad. Staying in that mask for 45 minutes got a little trying, they had to remark the mask because the swelling from the teeth being pulled went down, therefor my jaw was able to close a bit more, and they had to tatoo me because the tape blistered me. Tatoo...wow im 46 and i have 3 tatoo's on me (stomach, it helps line me up with the machine)that was pretty exciting though! So i guess im marked for life, like i would ever forget that i had Cancer! While they were re-doin the lining up, i had to tell myself to just breathe, in and out! Being straped down like that, really about makes you jump out of your skin, and that mask in so tight! But it is over with now, and I know what to expect so it isnt as scarey . Its the not knowing, that effects you, its a mind game! The minute I got home...I put a big "X" on the calender! Again, i want to thank everyone that has helped me get to this point, i couldn't have done it without ya'll.  | | |
#47073 08-14-2006 04:24 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Good for you Linda!! By the end of treatment, you'll be able to almost fall asleep during the time you're in the mask, lol. Marking off the calender is such a huge memory for me, I put one on my fridge and the biggest moment of my day was to put another X on it. I would take it down a few times a day, especially as I started to feel worse, and count and count. It did wonders for me and I still have that calender.
Good luck to you, you're my same age (I was 41 when in treatment and just turned 45 on Friday) and I have the tatoos across my chest too!
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#47074 08-14-2006 08:12 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Linda, I love your attitude. You are going to be fine. I remember the first time too, and telling myself just to breath. I also remember being so thrilled to finally get things underway. You will lose weight and the mask will gradually become more comfortable. I used to nap during my treatments which were usually close to an hour long. I also used to take a Tylenol about 30 minutes prior to treatment which made things a little more comfortable as far as the mask being tight. You just keep that upbeat, positive attitude and the techs will think you are wonderful, and I am convinced things will be easier for you. After I was finished, one of the nurses told me it was really great to have one patient who was smiling and happy to be there, and I surely was that, as I know you are. I am very happy for you! | | |
#47075 08-15-2006 03:37 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Linda, your attitude is awesome!!Keep it up, it definitely does help! God Bless, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#47076 08-15-2006 09:34 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 | I have my mask mounted on a wall plaque, a 3 dimentional me coming out of a wall. My wife moved it from a living space into a hall. But when visitors come into the foyer they face that hall and the mask, even at a distance, is unique. I am attached to my mask.
Darrell
Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
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#47077 08-15-2006 09:43 AM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 | I was delighted to deposit my mask in the trash at MD Anderson and to never see it again.
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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#47078 08-15-2006 03:37 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 109 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 109 | Day 2: Easy as pie!! In and Out within 25 minutes! The mask was alot easier today, considering it was on for only a short time. I keep trying to count how many seconds im in there, but i get confused because the machine comes on and off 8 times. I have noticed some angles of the machine, it is on longer than some of the other angles. (why dont i just ask...your asking?) That would ruin my game, this way i keep entertained and not think about what it is doing to my neck and throat which i will find out sooner than i want to, im sure! Well, its time to go mark my calender, so i'll talk to ya'll tomarrow. Oh, and thanks for the replys...i always know im not alone | | |
#47079 08-15-2006 03:53 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 | Linda, everyone here that has worn that mask wants you to know that you are NOT alone! Keep that great attitude going. 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
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#47080 08-18-2006 06:16 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 109 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 109 | Today is friday, so that makes it one week down and 5 more to go. The first week really wasnt that bad, getting use to the mask was my biggest deal, feeling a little nausea (could be the heat though too...100) other than that, nothing to complain about. I will keep ya'll informed of any changes during my second week. | | |
#47081 08-19-2006 05:12 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 47 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 47 | Way to go, Linda! You have a great attitude and we enjoy reading your posts! Hang in there and keep making those X's.
Joyce
CG to Tom dx SCC 5/06; right neck lymph nodes removed, dx right tonsil and tonsillectomy 6/06; rad and chemo started 7/06; treatment COMPLETED 9/06 33x rad; Erbitux (8x); Cisplatin (2);
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