| Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | I will hold you and your wife close to my heart. You both are in for a battle, but I honestly think that the CCC doctors would carefully choose a treatment plan that is in her/your best interest.
Here's to the both of you having the strength to face each day and to find peace/comfort whenever possible. You both can do this together! You are fortunate to have one another.
Take care and best wishes, Kerri
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11) SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors) L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-) Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx. Various scans since rx ended are NED! Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH. 44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 | Well we finally got underway. First of 9 infusions was Thursday.Taxol and Carboplatin. As of today no obvious signs of any side effects. Actually doing well. Current treatment plan is 9 weeks of chemo(if she can take it) followed by a week off and then 7 wks of radiation/chemo. Getting ~2000 calories a day in her and Crohns has stayed calm. Dr emphazized the plan is subject to change as we move along. Actually has gained weight over the last 2 wks. Still exploring other food options. Trying to get her from being too "high" right now.
Caregiver to wife with stage 4 oral cancer. Cheek and 2 lymph nodes.Diagnosed April 2012. At age 80 decided against major surgery.Currently doing 9 chemos and then 7 weeks of radiation/chemo.
| | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 638 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2010 Posts: 638 | good luck with the treatment which is very similar to Alex's treatment. We might be able to help out with tips and tricks to manage side effects as you go through. I am entirely ignorant of how Crohns might impact on side effects but will be here to support nevertheless.
Karen Love of Life to Alex T4N2M0 SCC Tonsil, BOT, R lymph nodes Dx March 2010 51yrs. Unresectable. HPV+ve Tx Chemo x 3+1 cycles(cisplatin,docetaxel,5FU)- complete May 31 Chemoradiation (IMRTx35 + weekly cisplatin) Finish Aug 27 Return to work 2 years on 3 years out Aug 27 2013 NED Still underweight
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | My Tx plan was similar and it is hard but she can get thru it, hang in there and best wishes in this fight!! Semper-Fi Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 | Second infusion and no side effects. Wll have as blood tranfusion this week as well as an iron infusion which is Crohns related.see no decrease in the tumor size. Wonder if its working. Hope no surgery option was right.
Caregiver to wife with stage 4 oral cancer. Cheek and 2 lymph nodes.Diagnosed April 2012. At age 80 decided against major surgery.Currently doing 9 chemos and then 7 weeks of radiation/chemo.
| | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 | Gone through 3rd and 4th sessions. Only minor side effects_swollen feet,tired. Want some advice from you veterans. First two sessions had little problem with iv's.Last 2 were terrible-no good veins. Last week 8 sticks between lab and iv. Have 11 more to go. Will drinking morenwater as suggested do the trick or go for a port. Thanks.
Caregiver to wife with stage 4 oral cancer. Cheek and 2 lymph nodes.Diagnosed April 2012. At age 80 decided against major surgery.Currently doing 9 chemos and then 7 weeks of radiation/chemo.
| | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Hi, paul - are the doctors recommending a port? Glad to hear that the side effects are not too bad.
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010 TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 117 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 117 | Paul, as Maria suggests, sure sounds like your wife is a candidate for a port. If not, being well hydrated does help, but not sure she can get enough to overcome the issues with the needle sticks. OUCH, ask the docs about it.
DX 12/6/10 of T3 SCC Tongue. Surgery 1/3/11 was hemigloss & forearm free flap, midline mandibulectomy, Neck Disection-All nodes clear. Ended rads 5/11/11. Taste buds back to about 80%. PEG removed 4/5/12, experimenting eating real food again. If I can do this, so can you !! Stay Strong.
| | | | 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 | One of the things I wish I had gotten during my Tx was a port but by the time I really needed one it was to close to the end to bother. I'd go for the port.
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 $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 |
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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