My introduction - 02-25-2007 04:07 PM
Hi Everyone,
Here's my story from the beginning.
I'm a big lacrosse fan, and the Laxpower D1 forum last May ('06) posted an article about a former lax player who died of colon cancer. One of the regular forum posters subsequently encouraged everyone over 50 to get a colonoscopy. I was 51 at the time, and had been putting off the colonoscopy - the lax forum posting scared me enough to get me going.
During the pre-op exam for my colonoscopy, the Dr. noticed a small lump in my neck. I told her I was in the middle of getting a crown put on, and she thought maybe that was the reason while recommending I discuss this with my dentist. Well, after the crown, and a re-done root canal followed by antibiotics, the lump did not go away. After some additional gyrations, my GP sent me to a head and neck surgeon who did a needle biopsy, which turned out to be probable SCC. A PET/CT scan showed 3 tumors, one of which turned out to be my left tonsil and the other two were lymph nodes in my upper neck on the same side (all less than 3 cm).
I had surgery in late August, 2006 (modified radical neck disection), followed by 6-1/2 weeks of radiation (both sides with IMRT) and chemo (cisplatin and erbitux once a week). I also had a daily Ethyol shot.
The treatment itself went very well, all things considered. Eating quickly became a big problem until I settled on a simple diet: 3 meals per day, each consisting of 2 Boost Plus, an egg-beater omelet with cheese and sometimes ham (got to watch that cholesterol), and tea with honey. I lost only a little weight and avoided a PEG. The erbitux caused a severe outbreak of pimples, especially on my face - this was ultimately treated effectively with steriods and oral antibiotics. I took Zofran for nausea. Near the end constipation became a big problem, only resolved by daily enema's. At the very end of the radiation and for a week or so thereafter, I had severe radiation burns on my neck which scabbed over, thought to have been aggrevated by the erbitux.
Of course, my wonderful wife helped me throughout the entire process. She helped me communicate problems and queried the doctors persistantly for acceptable treatment of side effects. I also had a great team of doctors.
What the future will bring? I don't know, but I am feeling very good now, 4 months out of treatment. My taste buds have come back quite a bit, although I have no interest in eating snacks (yet). I take saliva generating pills 3 times per day (not hughly effective, but a little helpful). I apply flouride to my teeth twice a day (tastes terrible even though it's flavored). I continue to exercise my left arm and shoulder, as well as working my neck muscles and jaw (the jaw gets quite stiff if I don't work it). I also use a humidifier at night (this was especially helpful for my breathing at night during treatment) - although my wife says I saw logs pretty well.
By the way, the colonoscopy was fine (i.e., no problems).
Best wishes to all,
Chris
Here's my story from the beginning.
I'm a big lacrosse fan, and the Laxpower D1 forum last May ('06) posted an article about a former lax player who died of colon cancer. One of the regular forum posters subsequently encouraged everyone over 50 to get a colonoscopy. I was 51 at the time, and had been putting off the colonoscopy - the lax forum posting scared me enough to get me going.
During the pre-op exam for my colonoscopy, the Dr. noticed a small lump in my neck. I told her I was in the middle of getting a crown put on, and she thought maybe that was the reason while recommending I discuss this with my dentist. Well, after the crown, and a re-done root canal followed by antibiotics, the lump did not go away. After some additional gyrations, my GP sent me to a head and neck surgeon who did a needle biopsy, which turned out to be probable SCC. A PET/CT scan showed 3 tumors, one of which turned out to be my left tonsil and the other two were lymph nodes in my upper neck on the same side (all less than 3 cm).
I had surgery in late August, 2006 (modified radical neck disection), followed by 6-1/2 weeks of radiation (both sides with IMRT) and chemo (cisplatin and erbitux once a week). I also had a daily Ethyol shot.
The treatment itself went very well, all things considered. Eating quickly became a big problem until I settled on a simple diet: 3 meals per day, each consisting of 2 Boost Plus, an egg-beater omelet with cheese and sometimes ham (got to watch that cholesterol), and tea with honey. I lost only a little weight and avoided a PEG. The erbitux caused a severe outbreak of pimples, especially on my face - this was ultimately treated effectively with steriods and oral antibiotics. I took Zofran for nausea. Near the end constipation became a big problem, only resolved by daily enema's. At the very end of the radiation and for a week or so thereafter, I had severe radiation burns on my neck which scabbed over, thought to have been aggrevated by the erbitux.
Of course, my wonderful wife helped me throughout the entire process. She helped me communicate problems and queried the doctors persistantly for acceptable treatment of side effects. I also had a great team of doctors.
What the future will bring? I don't know, but I am feeling very good now, 4 months out of treatment. My taste buds have come back quite a bit, although I have no interest in eating snacks (yet). I take saliva generating pills 3 times per day (not hughly effective, but a little helpful). I apply flouride to my teeth twice a day (tastes terrible even though it's flavored). I continue to exercise my left arm and shoulder, as well as working my neck muscles and jaw (the jaw gets quite stiff if I don't work it). I also use a humidifier at night (this was especially helpful for my breathing at night during treatment) - although my wife says I saw logs pretty well.
By the way, the colonoscopy was fine (i.e., no problems).
Best wishes to all,
Chris