Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#151309 06-26-2012 04:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
OP Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
Ive recently moved back north to MA to be close to my family. Im waiting to get an appointment with Dana Farber Hospital hopefully this week. Im takinh Tarceva now have been on it for a month. It seemed to shrink the tumor on my neck but my former Chemo dr didnt order a scan last week so I dont know if it is working. Ive got a cluster of blisters on the tumor site. They are freaking me out. Does anyone know what is the cause of them? They are filled with fluid and break open. I called my former Dr 3 times and still havent gotten a call back.


4 cancerous tumors stage4 Surgery 10/26/2010 Radiation 2x a day for 4 weeks (started Dec 13th 2010)
Reccurance discovered Nov 2011. Tumor behind left jaw. Erbitux, Taxol and Paraplatin for 6 wk. Surgery scheduled for Feb
50 year old woman smoked for 30 years quit 3 years ago light drinker HPV +16
plantgirl #151314 06-26-2012 05:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
I'm sorry that I don't know about the blisters, but I am very glad that you will be going to Dana Farber - they are a very good center.
Are you have any other issues with the Tarceva?


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.
plantgirl #151326 06-26-2012 07:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
Could it be left over from the Erbitux? I would have it checked out immediately - glad you're back home. Push to get into Dana Fabre ASAP. Hugs!


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
plantgirl #151336 06-27-2012 03:14 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
OP Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
I dontthink its from Erbitux that was too long.. it could be by thr tarceva. yeah im glad to be out of NC kinda feel like UNC got sick of me.especially my chemo dr. last appointment with her was all of 5 minutes.


4 cancerous tumors stage4 Surgery 10/26/2010 Radiation 2x a day for 4 weeks (started Dec 13th 2010)
Reccurance discovered Nov 2011. Tumor behind left jaw. Erbitux, Taxol and Paraplatin for 6 wk. Surgery scheduled for Feb
50 year old woman smoked for 30 years quit 3 years ago light drinker HPV +16
plantgirl #151337 06-27-2012 04:05 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
That's negligent... The length of time. You're a cancer patient they should be willing to be able to spend a reasonable amount of time with you. Hopefully it is the chemo causing this side effect but definitely have it checked out ASAP plus the fact that the blisters are popping leaves you open to infection. Push to get in earlier rather than later. Hugs!

Last edited by Cheryld; 06-27-2012 04:05 AM.

Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
plantgirl #151343 06-27-2012 08:31 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
Remember that people cancel appointments all the time - you can call early morning and ask politely if anything has opened up.


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.
plantgirl #151379 06-28-2012 02:51 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
That's right about how people do cancel appointments. Also they can move appointments to accommodate urgent need situations. They did it for my son when he had an appointment two weeks away and moved him up to from a Friday to the following Monday. Later there were times when the office would call me to see if my son would agree to a later appointment so someone else could get in earlier. It's always a good idea to be polite and nice to the office personnel and especially the nurses who can help you. Remembering their names is good, too so you can know who said what and refer to it.


Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)




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
Topics18,168
Posts196,924
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