#82315 10-19-2008 11:00 AM | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | Today I noticed a fluid filled blister on the back of my ear lobe. Does anyone know if the radiation may could cause this? Thanks, Angel
SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Angel,
Does it hurt? It could definitely be from the radiation - burns do blister, after all.
You should mention it tomorrow at your radiation appointment.
- Margaret
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | Margaret, It doesn't hurt or anything but I was surprised when I found it. lol, I will mention it tomorrow. Thanks, Angel
SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.
| | | | | 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 |
Angels
One thing I have noticed from your posts is that you have a very good sense of when soemthing isnt right. Thats a very good way to be thru this treatment. It seems like all the little things dont add up to much, but soemtimes if overlooked they can cause you problems. Glad you are getting the ear checked tomorrow.
One of your posts mentioned the cost of a very expensive medication. Unfortunately, these meds really are quite necessary when doing chemo to avoid some pretty bad side effects. Hope Im not out of line here, but some hospitals and also drug companies will help with these things. If you need help talk to your hospital's financial department. They can do some wonderful things or even refer you to a place for help if you need it.
I know the hospital nurses are constantly having fuind raisers to help patients whose medical insurance isnt the best. They just keep raising money and help out people who come along that need it. Also a friend of mine said their mother works in the financial office and writes off thousands of dollars everyday in medical bills for people who need help. He told me the hospital paid somebody's utility bills up to date and also filled another persons oil tank. Its such an unfortunate thing in todays society that everyone doesnt have equal access to health care.
Good luck with your treatments tomorrow. Hope the ear is ok.
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: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | Christine, Thanks for all the info. I have medicare but not a secondary insurance. My retirement from the Govt. won't kick in until 4 more years so I am kinda in between so to speak. Luckily I have medicare part D also which covers most all my drug cost and I pay a co-pay so I am very lucky there because all of this cost is enormous. The hospital did talk to me about write offs and that I should qualify for something. Even part of it would be good. The cancer society here hasn't been able to get volunteers to take me or anyone else to treatments but 2 days a week and I have to get to chemo and the other 3 days for rads and all the Dr. appts. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining as I appreciate what they have done for me with all the info they provide and very wonderful people there as well. I am just lost without my husband I guess. Gotta get up early for rads at 9am, thanks again, Angel
SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.
| | | | | 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 |
Hows the ear?
Oh yeah how could I possibly have forgotten the American Cancer Society. They did help me occassionally with transportantion. They also have a program to help pay towards your meds. They will set it up directly with the pharmacy so you dont have out of pocket expenses up to $300.
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: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | I haven't had any more problems with the blisters yet. The Dr. looked at it and said it was probably due to my taking radiation and chemo at the same time.
And the American Cancer Society helps me with a ride twice a week which I really do appreciate. We don't have many volunteers here, so I will return the favor when I get better and help someone else. So far I have been okay with my meds but am glad to get the information just in case. Thank you so much. Angel
SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.
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