#8046 08-10-2006 01:39 PM | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 82 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 82 | Yesterday I completed the end of my 35 radiation treatments and my 3 treatments of chemo (2 Cisplatin and 1 Carboplatin). The chemo really kicked my butt, but I lived to tell about it. I have to say that personally, the radiation wasn't that bad for me, so there is hope for some that radiation might not be so bad. I have a sore throat and some medium-heavy saliva, but no mouth sores. I am able to manage my mouth pain with some Roxicet. I have a peg tube that I hope will come out in a month or so. Energy level is still pretty good, although I am spending a lot of time resting and storing up as much as possible. I lost a total of 27 lbs since my treatments began. Some might think that was a great way to get rid of all my pregnancy weight, but I think I would have prefered Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers:)
I am looking forward to teaching at the end of August and playing with my ever-growing and changing 5 month old daughter. As well as finding ways to thank my husband for all of his love and suppport!
Thank you everyone for your support and guidance during these last 3 months!
Sarah
DX on 05/01/06 with SCC of right tongue. 05/11/06 surgery-tumor 1.2cm & 4 cm clear margins & parital glos. & neck dissection with removal of 34 nodes/1 positive at 4mm)T1N1MO
35 IGRT & 3 cycles of chemo (1 cisplatin & 2 carbo-complete on 8/9/06.
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#8047 08-10-2006 02:32 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 | Congratulations Sarah!
Look forward to a few more weeks on the downhill slope before you turn the corner. I must say that I too was relieved when treatment ended. You're going back to work at the end of August THIS year!?!?! I AM impressed.
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)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#8048 08-11-2006 05:31 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 | Good for you, Sarah! I bounced back quickly also, so know that it can be done. Adequate nutrition via the PEG is what I think was the key. And here is some good news: I think the chemo messed with my metabolism so I ate like a linebacker for at least a year and didn't gain an ounce. I think that was a bonus for getting through treatment (grin). Your taste will begin to return soon and you will again be enjoying good food. I am so happy that you posted that the rad was not terrible. New people need to know that can be the case. | | |
#8049 08-11-2006 10:45 AM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 6 Member | | Member
Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 6 |
TinaD
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#8050 08-11-2006 12:19 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | Sarah...you go girl.. I am so happy to hear you did not let all this stuff keep you down for long.
Congratulations.
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#8051 08-13-2006 05:25 PM | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 51 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 51 | congrats. i think with your positive attitude you will make your timeline. nutrition was my key to a quicker recovery
SCC on left side of tongue 12/01 left partial glossectomy, left neck disection (clean), recurrence 3/06 on back left of tongue, 2nd partial glossectomy, no nodal inolvement, IMRT completed 6/30/06
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#8052 08-14-2006 12:12 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 122 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 122 | Sarah,
Congrats and enjoy that baby girl. She will remind you every day what a joy life is. Mine were some of my best care givers at 15 and 17, and I worried I wouldn't make it to the oldest' prom (month after diagnosis and weekend before surgery) and graduation celebrations (month after surgery). Now 19 and 21, they put up with all of their mom's hugs and kisses, then drive away. Yours is a captive audience for years to come! Congratulations and I am betting you will be an inspiration to your students as well.
Sincerely,
Lisa
SCC Tongue T1N0M0\Dx 3-10-03
Hemiglossectomy, alloderm graft, modified neck dissectomy 4-14-03
3 Year Survivor!
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#8053 08-14-2006 06:33 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 126 | Sarah,
Congratulation on completing the treatments and I am amazed to hear you are going back to work at the end of August. That's incredible.
CG to wife;
Jan 2005 DX SCC Tongue T2N1MO; RND surgery Mar 2005; 35 XRT and 4 cisplatin completed Jul 2005.
Dec 2006 tongue surgery, Scar tissue no cancer.
Feb 2010 neck node FNA - negative.
2010 ORN right jaw plus fracture
2015 ORN left jaw plus fracture
Feb 2016 Lower jaw reconstruction by Fibula free flap+titanium plate - Permanent G-tube
June 2016 Difficulty breathing - Permanent Trachea tube
Dec 2019 DX Cervical cancer - Stage 1 - Surgery Jan 16 2020.
15-20 esophagus/larynx dilations
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#8054 08-15-2006 03:43 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Sarah,
Great news to hear you have finished treatment! I too rushed back to work soon after treatment so I could keep my job and my medical insurance, but I caution you to go more slowly if you can afford to wait. I know for many it isn't an option. It takes a lot out of your body to go through this treatment and having had 4 children myself I know how demanding the first few years of a little one can be like. Add the two together and I think you will exhaust yourself quite quickly. Please be carefull. - Love to you, Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
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#8055 08-15-2006 10:23 AM | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 107 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 107 | Sarah,
all sounds pretty good to me. You sound like you are doing great, This is all doable, it is funny how this stuff works, I had a hell of a time with radiation and and chemo and surgery was a breeze, just a bit numb. Most of my saliva and taste has returned. My doctors say that i am their poster boy for success. It must be us Teachers, I know another Teacher whom I met through here who is also doing well in California. There must be some work left for us to do. Our students need teachers like us. This country and society needs us in the trenches. This is all so encouraging to me, Sarah I am so happy that you came through in good spirits and all else, keep it up my dear.
Lenny | | |
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