#80465 09-15-2008 05:15 PM | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | I finished treatment July 16 2008. After that I started to feel better little by little. Everything seemed to be right on track. But suddenly, I began to decline. I got weaker and felt dizzy at times. I also noticed a week ago that I'm running a low grade fever (99.7). And it just keeps getting worse. Today I had to hire a caregiver to come in and cook for me. This burns up all my income and now I'll have to pay doctor bills out of savings. And because I seem to just be getting worse, I'm pretty scared about where I'll end up.
The oncologist says it is impossible for this to be a result of treatment. He didn't even suggest I come in to see him. He said to eat more calories to get stronger. So I'm doing that, but I'm still not satisfied that this is it.
Any suggestions or ideas?
BTW, I live in Los Angeles. If anyone knows of something or someone here that can help me, please let me know.
Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.
| | | | 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 |
Andrew:
Im sorry to hear you arent doing the best right now. A fever even a low grade one can make you feel pretty crappy. At this point you arent that far out of tx where fatigue is still to be expected. Sometimes you take one step forward and two or three back. Fatigue can linger for a long time. It could be anemia, have you had your bloodwork done recently? I ended up with anemia and it made me feel awful.
Be aware of your calorie and water intakes. Should be 48 oz water and 2000-3000 calories per day, with 3000 the best. Are you drinking ensure, carnation vhc or boost? If not that would be a great idea.
Its not a bad idea to see another doctor too. If you are like most of us, then Im sure you have several on board. I used to have some difficulty in deciding which doctor to see for different things that came up. Dont forget about your family doctor, sometimes they are better than the specialists who only look at the small picture for their field. Thats just my opinion, for what its worth. I go to my family doctor who is very good. He was the one who said he thought I had cancer before any tests were done.
Hope you feel better soon. 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: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 | Andrew,
Having a low grade fever can also mean a infection. I would make an appointment if it does not improve in 2 or 3 days. Yes, keep up the fluids for sure.
Just coming out of treatment your system is not up to normal. You have to be careful and stay away from people that are sick. Your resistant needs time to get stronger.
Take care, Diane
2004 SCC R.tip 1/4 tongue Oct. 2005 R. Neck SCC cancer/Chemo Cisplatin 2x/8wks. Rad. Removed Jugular vein, Lymph gland & some neck muscle. TX finished 1/20/06... B.Cancer 3/29/07 Finished 6/07 Bi-op 7/15/09 SCC in-situ, laser surgery removed from 1st. sight. Right jaw replacement 11/3/14. 9 yrs cancer free as of Jan. 2015
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Also has anyone checked your TSH levels as your thyroid may be crapping out. A lot of us are now on a daily thyroid pill as a result of the radiation. Mine didn't crap out until 4 months post Tx.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 49 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 49 | Hi Andrew,
You've received some good advice here. Everything that David and the others have said is right on. We've had some issues with my Hubby's health too that has been better addressed by his PCP. This sounds like a good time to go to your PCP and get a good physical checkup with lab work. It is not unusual to have periods of weakness and draggy days. It is still early in your recovery from treatment and doing so well directly afterwards prabably makes this seem even more concerning. I completly relate to your concern it's hard to not think the worse when things like this happen. My best wishes are with you. And I'm sorry to hear your feeling sick. Just remember! This too you WILL overcome. Please let us know how things go with your PCP. You'll be in my thoghts.
Ija wife-husband 47y healthy nonsmoker,nvr chewed.Dx SCC 01/05 primary left anterior toungue w/2 surgeries 02/05 no rad/chemo recurrence 12/07 no rad/chemo. 07/08/08 modified lt radical neck disection 3 nodes removed 2 pos SCC. TX 090808 taxol & carboplatinx7 radx37 w/ethyol.
| | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 | Hi Andrew, It could very well be a virus. I live in Michigan and the viruses are running rampant since the kids have gone back to school. I had a low grade fever for 6 days and generally felt like crap. I had other flu-like symptoms ie aches, congestion, sore throat. Went to the dr. and he said it sounded like a viral fever. Since I'm not a fan of antibiotics, I thought I'd ride it out, and I think I'm turning the corner. I know you just finished treatment not too long ago. I'd be a little nervous too, but it could very well just be a virus since it's that time of year. Hope you feel better soon.
Kelley
SCC tonsil(left) with contralateral mets. Modified right neck disection August, 2002. 33 rads(62 gy)both sides of neck and 3 cycles cisplatin completed October 25, 2002. 34 yo at time of diagnosis
| | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | Thanks all for your replies. I'm trying to follow up on all suggestions. I hope something begins to help soon. I'm worse than ever.
If any of you are so inclined, would you please pray for me.
Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.
| | | | 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 | Andrew
If you are feeling worse, go to your doctor right away. As always, not sure which one but think chemo doc would be best choice or your family doc. Dont delay any longer, you may have an infection and need to be seen. Remember, its your health and those doctors basically work for you. Dont be afraid to stand up to those appointment setters and tell them you are very ill and its imperative you see the doctor, dont take no for an answer. You dont want to end up in the hospital. Maybe try calling the place you were treated and ask for a visiting nurse if thats available. My hospital sent one for me. I really hope you get this taken care of so you can start to heal and feel better.
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: Aug 2008 Posts: 30 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 30 | Really sounds like you have an infection and maybe low blood counts. If you arent getting attention from MO go else where. My husband has had these terrible bouts of sickness every couple of days and now it is every couple of weeks. He also uses Fentanyl patch which seems to give him the ability to do more than if he didnt have them. Sometimes I have to force my husband to push thru his bad times....and he comes back to say thanks for making me take that shower or get out of the house. So try to do something more each day. By the way my husband got PET scan results yesterday and all clear but he is still having these episodes. Dr says it could take a year before he feels anything close to normal.
You are in my prayers, cray | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 Member | Member Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 | I agree with everyone who state you should see your doctor. This is not a good time to rely on home remedies. | | |
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