#98172 06-26-2009 09:28 AM | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | Just to let everyone know today I finished my last radiation treatment. When I heard the original number 39 I thought, my God I can't due that. Then, I thought "one day at a time" that is the only way to get through this trip.
I stopped working this past Monday and I plan to take the next three weeks off on sick time.
I am SO much more tired than I was last week, I can't believe the difference. I am sleeping whenever I feel tired, so I am not awake too often. I am still eating around 1800 calories a day by mouth daily and drinking a lot of water. I have lost a total of 30 lbs so far.
I am on fental pain pouch, 75mg I think, and also vicidon liquid every four hours for pain.
When my treatment was over today the team gave me my mask to take with me along with a "diploma of graduation". The rad Dr said I was her "Poster Child" and I was lucky to have done as well as I have. I told her it was due to all the people praying to God for me and the support of my wife, family and for the support I get from this cite.
I am going to take nap number 3 for the day but before I go I once again want to take the time to thank all on this cite who have given me support and in any way contribute. It was SO nice to know what to expect with each new week, what problems to expect and what to do to deal with them. I depended on this cite a lot during my treatment and I will continue to post in the future. My next Dr appointment is for the end of July.
God bless anyone who is in any way associated with this horible monster Cancer. Some day a cure will be found "You gotta believe".
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 | Congrats! Getting those rads behind you is huge. Now, you can really start the healing process. Remember - your body is full of radiation and it will take "some time" to burn its way out of your system so progress comes but it is slow. Again, WAY TO GO!
Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 | My Buddy, my Pal
Way to go. I'm so proud of you!!!!
Sandy
Last edited by SandySt.; 06-26-2009 01:12 PM.
Sandy 56, BOT SCC Biopsy 1/21/09 Stage 3, T3NXM0.
Finished 3 cycle induction chemotherapy 4/7/09. (Chisplatin, 5-fu and Texotere). Re-staged 4/20/09,(very successful.) Will start Carboplatin/radiation 2 Gy/5 days/7 weeks (Tomotherapy) starting May 4th. Finished 6/22/09.
OCF member/supporter
| | | | | 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 | WAY TO GO. Just a tad longer and you will start to feel human again so just hang in there a little more. Be mindful that some depression can creep over you in the next few weeks as you have lost that radiation room "lifeline". It's normal.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 | wfc,
I'm so impressed with how well you did through radiation. Sure, your tired now...who wouldn't be? I'm amazed, and thrilled for you, that you are still able to eat by mouth...that's huge!!! Can you do food? Or are you doing liquid supplements? Accomplishments like that are sooo good for people who are embarking on this journey to read.
Next two weeks might be tough, but keep posting! I think it goes better if you are able to stay hydrated...and, it sounds like you are doing a great job of that!
Margaret
----------
C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx)
Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3)
Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | I was doing the following on a daily basis:
After getting home from treatment around 11:30AM I eat:
3 soft boiled/scrambled eggs
Carnation instant Breakfast with Choc syrup added to boost the calories
3 tbs of butter
2 cups of coffee
Check emails and take a nap
Around 2:30 PM I have a cup of tea
check emails and take another nap
When my wife gets home from work I eat:
2/3 packs of Ramen noodle soup or other types of soups
Carnation Instant Breakfast with extra choc syrup added to boost the calories
Later at night I have a cup of tea
a lot of water- approx 100 oz. a day
At the end of the day, the least I eat by mouth is 1700 cal. I do not have a peg.
Over the last month I have gone from 1700 cal a day to 2200 cal a day.
I have lost 30 lbs so far.
The rest of the day I am either sleeping or taking my meds and reading.
The above schedule was for the last week when I wasn't working.
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | WFC.. congrats. I knew you could handle that little task.Just think, in a few years you will look back and laugh at it.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | WFC
CONGRATULATIONS. Although I am still not laughing about my TX, I do remember just how great it felt to take that mask home as a trophy
charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | WFC,
That is so AWESOME!!! Good for you!! I did not have radiation because my doc thinks I may need it in the future which scares me to death. Seeing your strength and your one day at a time method is inspirational.
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | 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 | YEAH BILL!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on your successful completion of your treatments. You have done amazingly well. You should be very proud of yourself. Let the healing begin!!!! Congrats 
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: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | Great job Bill. Sounds like you approached it in an organized and pragmatic way. Now you get on with the job of healing. I am surpriswed that given your intake that you still lost 30 lbs! No, I never want to go on the "RO" diet again, but it does seem effective!
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | Congratulations!!
Every week from here on out will be better the the previous one!!
Way to go!
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 72 | Congratulations on getting finished with your treatment.
I'm impressed that you did it without a PEG. My husband is on day 13 radiation and already everything he eats tastes repulsive. He also has chemo every 3 weeks. He is trying to take it lots of calories but so far he is losing weight. He had a tonsillectomy which set him back as far as putting weight on before the treatment. He is very slim at 5'11 and 152 lbs down from 165lbs. We haven't gotten a PEG yet, the Drs want him to try and do without.
Did food tastes bad to you? Could you afford to lose 30lbs and do you feel not getting a PEG was a good choice? Did you even consider a PEG? He drinks lots of ensure and we ordered the carnation VHC. These are questions we are grappling with. I'm very impressed on how well you have done, thanks for sharing.
Vanessa
Jeff age 49 DX 5/8/09 Tonsil cancer T2N2BMO. Tonsillectomy 5/14/09. TX: Cisplatin 3x's every 21 days w/ 33 Rad concurrent. 2-3 nodes on right neck affected. PEG 7/10/09. Chemo/rad start 6/12/9, TX finished 7/28/09. Extended TX
3 more chemo/Cisplatin/5FU/Docetaxil start 9/11, Clean PET 10/29/09.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | Vanessa,
I just ate every day. Did I like the food I ate, HELL no, did it taste good HELL no. I just knew that I needed to do to get through this journey. My doctors were not concerened because I weighed 247 lbs when I started. They were watching my weight loss in conjunction with my weekly blood work and dr. visits. If at anytime the medical team told me I would need a peg, it would have been done with no fight from me.
Every time I ate I told myself, "just get through today and you will be closer to your next pizza and cheesburger". I can only say that I live my entire life by "One day at a time". I don't know if the fact that I had no chemo was a plus for me but I must think it was.
Please feel free to ask me anthing you want. I am not a professional, just a survivor like so many many others on this cite.
Last but most important of all, in my opinion, the power of prayer and God was also their to provide me the daily courage and strength I needed to get through day by day!
Best of Luck I will keep you in my prayers!
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 72 | Thanks for your reply. Jeff is taking it "one day at a time" and I agree that is the best advice ever!
Keep healing.
Vanessa
Jeff age 49 DX 5/8/09 Tonsil cancer T2N2BMO. Tonsillectomy 5/14/09. TX: Cisplatin 3x's every 21 days w/ 33 Rad concurrent. 2-3 nodes on right neck affected. PEG 7/10/09. Chemo/rad start 6/12/9, TX finished 7/28/09. Extended TX
3 more chemo/Cisplatin/5FU/Docetaxil start 9/11, Clean PET 10/29/09.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 | Wow, I am so impressed! You seem to have coped really well with TX, and without the tube.
Well done and carry on doing what you are doing, it seems to work!
Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis
Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008.
Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm).
Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june.
30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October
First comparative study scan came back clear
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | I like Suzanne have not had radiation or chemo. As my Dr. says I may need in the future if there is a reoccurence. That scares me to death. At the same time I see all of the members of this board who have made it through and survived. All of you are an inspiration to me.
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 113 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 113 | Congrats!!! I am getting ready to end my 2nd week and I can already tell you if they give me that mask to take home as a trophy I am burning that SOB!!!! lol, I am glad to hear a GOOD story...well if you consider that good. I as well did not elect for the PEG, my weight when I started was 195 and I am 196.8 today. Although I am only 8 treatments into my 33 I pretty much have lost all taste and my tongue has that burning sensation. Other than that all good! I know the fun hasnt even begun yet. Anyways good luck with the next couple weeks and I will keep you all posted on my next 25 treatments! As for you walknite.....get your ass to an RO! I like you had the surgery and am completely cancer free (well according to the PET and CT) the last thing you want is a reoccurence!!! lol, anybody on here that has watched me progress the past 4 months is looking at that advice and laughing.....trust me! Good Day
30 yr old M non-smoker (stuborn ass italian)
SCC left side Tongue 2/17/09, Partial Gloss. 2/25/09
Left ND 5/20/09 10 nodes, 1 pos (1.7cm w/xtra cap spread)
Finished Rads IMRT X 33 8/18/09 (70gy)No PEG, No Chemo
"On the long road to recovery 1 step at a time"
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1 Member | | Member
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1 | God Bless you. I went though 6 weeks and I just made it. In a year time I lost a 100 Lbs. and dropped 14in off my waist. I take my hat off to you for going though so munch. I foumd I could Stand a mild smoked sauage, because of this I was able to avoid a feeding tube. I hope that this will work for you. | | |
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