Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#121525 09-08-2010 08:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8
My husband finished 35 rads/3 rounds Cisplatin for stage 4 SCC of Tonsil 3 weeks ago. Life is still very rough. I'm hearing anywhere from 1-2 years for recovery. What is realistic for an active quality of life of work, family, and really living again? We knew this wouldn't be an easy or quick road. Thoughts?

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 235
Gold Member (200+ posts)
Offline
Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 235
My husband finished mid May and I've been pleasantly surprised at how he is coming along at this point.
While there are on going issues like not eating as much as he used to he is putting weight on. His energy is lower but he is working, gardening, doing some wood working and walking the dogs every day. His concentration is much better as his is mood.
So, while there is certainly more stuff we want to see improve and everyone is different I don't think you'll have to wait a year to see improvement.
The first month after treatment sucked and after that I could literally start to see the improvements in him!!!


CG to Spouse BOT, Chemo and radiation started on March 29,2010
Ended on May 14,2010. LET THE HEALING BEGIN!!!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Member
Offline
Member

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
I had the same treatment as your husband and I started back to work part time (four hours/day) 7 weeks after treatment ended. I was quite apprehensive about it but it turned out to be really good for me. Made me feel more "normal" since going to work every day is what I've always done. I am lucky to have a very understanding employer and I was allowed to come and go however/whenever I needed for as long as it took.

At this point (five months post treatment) I'm working full time and doing just about anything I would have done before treatment. I still have to watch what I eat (nothing too acidic, salty, spicy or with black pepper, and nothing too dry) but I'm getting used to it. Subway sandwiches are my new favorite (flatbread is thin and soft and for calories and moisture I have them add smashed avocado and oil) - I never ate "fast food" before treatment and didn't like sandwiches - but things change. It isn't necessarily bad, just different.


SCC BOT HPV+ diagnosed via neck bump and directed biopsy's January 2010. PEG in 2/2010. Finished 35 radiation treatments and 3 doses Cisplatin March 29, 2010. PEG out 6/2010.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Each of us can respond differently but 1 to 2 years is kinda the norm with the 1st year being the most challenging both mentally and physically. I was back to riding with a vengeance 9 months post Tx and maybe could have done so sooner but tax season got in the way. This recovery is not fun but it was soooo much better than that damn Tx. lol


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: Aug 2010
Posts: 10
Member
Offline
Member

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10
I have started getting back to normal just recently after 14 months, but my case isn't norm as I also have MS which made recovery much slower and the dr has just confirmed that my thyroid is damaged which is probably causing the weakness I am experiencing, have been on meds for it for 3 weeks now and am starting to feel a difference. I have played more golf in the past 2 weeks than I have in the past 3 or 4 months. It is slow but it is great when it happens.


54 yr old male, Tongue and neck cancer , left side of tongue base and 1 lymph node on carated artery on the same side.Cells checked and they were HPV virous Positive. Dx 4/09 finished treatment in July 09, Clear cat scan and pet scan in june 10, also have MS Dx 8/08 and am type 2 diabetic.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
I began to feel better after 3 weeks post treatment. My fatigue was still a problem and it took alot of work to make it thru a full day without taking naps. I returned to my office job part time 7 week post radiation/chemo. It took me til I was 4 month post treatment to return to working full time.

Alot will depend on your husbands age, physical condition before treatment, type of work, normal energy level, and frame of mind. Best wishes for a quick recovery.


Christine
SCC 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 smile

Moderated by  Eva Grayzel 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5