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#167184 06-27-2013 11:06 PM
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Hi everyone! I Hope everyone is good. Sorry I try not to visit here to often as I feel it fuels my anxiety to much if that makes any sense. But I think as time goes by I will start coming back more and more. I have already read some really helpful information about HPV! I've been doing really well. All clear still and almost been 1 year since dx and 10 months since completion of treatment. Back at work full time and busy looking after my three gorgeous babies xx l
I Just wanted to get some opinions on drinking alcohol. I Have not even had one glass of wine in over a year but wanted to know what others have been doing post radio therapy. My cancer was stage 1 and HPV positive but cancer nonetheless so anything that may increase chances of it returning Im happy to not drink but it'd be nice to go out once in a while and be normal and not have to think about cancer or the guilt I would feel after a few wines. I'm sorry if this seems trivial and certainly not a high priority. Wishing everyone lots of positive wishes xxx


Female 34. Non smoker, casual drinker
Dx July 12 stage 1 scc to left tonsil n0 m0. Hpv + 16 . 7 weeks daily rads finished sept 2012. 3 mth scan - low activity in primary spot hopefly t's just inflam. 2013 Abnormal tissue next base of tongue, came back negative. 5 month scan all clear!!!!! Yayy
ShellAustralia1978 #167186 06-28-2013 02:45 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
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Hi Shell - It's great to hear how well you are doing! And I'm sure you will be hearing from others on the wine drinking issue. There have been lots of discussions on the subject so don't feel like it's a trivial question. Until someone else does get to you, you could just type in "alcohol" in the search box (upper right of this page), click on "go" and you will see many responses to the question. There is also another search box on the main pages of OCF (way upper right) which also gives information on alcohol use. Enjoy your successful recovery and your three gorgeous babies!


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.)



ShellAustralia1978 #167188 06-28-2013 03:23 AM
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Hi Shell, great to hear you are progressing so well. As Anne-Marie says ther has been plenty of discussion and different thoughts about drinking. To me it is not a trivial point at all, as alcohol is an important part of my life!

My RO's advice was to avoid spirits, and she recommended only moderate drinking with beer or cidre being preferable to wine. My experience has been to date (18mths post tx) that spirits are a no-no as far too strong to tolerate even a taste (a great shame as I was very fond of malt whiskeies, I make do with smelling them only now!) though I recently tried a small gin with lots of tonic with success. Wine still tastes foul so is no longer part of my life. But luckily for me hoppy beer taste even better than previously. So I now drink a beer or two probably every other day, but I never over do it, I go for quality not quantity. My attitude is that it is one of the few real taste pleasures I have now (due to still having eating problems) and it is also a source of extra calories. It is also an important part of me getting back to a more normal life again and socialising, and has given me a new hobby of seeking out new tasty beers. Sally



Dx 10/11 51yrs LBOT Stage 4 2nodes HPV16+. Non-smoker mod alcohol.
10/11 Induction chemox2 (Docetaxel, 5-Flu, Cisplatin) then Cisplatinx2 IMRTx30. Ended 01/13/12.
12/07/11 RIG. RIG removed 05/05/12.
4/12 CT scan clear. Visual scope checks clear as of 10/13. Learning to live with eating challenges.
ShellAustralia1978 #167190 06-28-2013 04:52 AM
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Amen Saxicola! This stupid disease took pecan pie away from me and I won't take that sitting down!! I was not a dark beer fan before Dx but they are delicious now. However, I would no more drink 6 in a sitting than I would eat an entire pie back in the day.

If there are no overriding medical concerns to me it's almost a philosophical question. Now that I know what feeling bad feels like, I try to do things that make me feel good. At my age with my history I can't imagine how bad a hangover would feel. So I never over indulge. What does make me feel good is a good run or bike ride, a tough workout at the gym with one of my boys, and a plate of Tex-Mex with an ice cold Negro Modelo. In everything, moderation.


Dx March 2011 via FNA (49 yrs old)
SCC BoT
HPV+ exact strain unknown
Stage IVa T3N2cM0
Cisplatin x 3, IMRT x 40 (7267 cGy)
One node removed post-treatment (rad dmg)
Clean PET 10/28/11
Swallow therapy
ShellAustralia1978 #167191 06-28-2013 04:54 AM
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HPV HNC is totally different than smoking related cancer. HPV cancer is caused by a virus, unlike smoking related cancer, which involves the breakdown of cells to the eliptical lining of the mucosa from exposure to carcinogens, like tobacco and alcohol. Even with tobacco related, they say for alcohol to have an influence it's by High consumption, like 4-5 drinks a day, 16-20 a week. As mentioned , the type of alcohol matters too, like spririts, wine, and then beer, which don't equal the same alcohol ounce for ounce.

Even though they say in high consumption, I'm always mindful what alcohol can do to the kidneys, since mine are poor now, and if it may lower the immure system in high consumption, which may have an effect on other illnesses, cancer, but I'm not worried about an occassional drink now and then. I don't drink much anymore, I have no taste for it, and probably the first time I tried was 2 years post treatment. No hard liquor for me, wine is too bitter, and drink certain beers, maybe a glass every month or so, and sometimes it's mixed with tomato juice, spices, and can make three drinks from 12 ounces lol.

There was a discussion about this 8 months ago, after all the magazines posted an article about the study showing even moderate consumption of alcohol can increase your risk of any type cancer, and the study was linked there, and is on OCF news feed.



10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs






ShellAustralia1978 #167198 06-28-2013 06:19 AM
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Pre Dx I drank a beer every night before dinner. Had to have my BEER!. Post Tx it was months and months and months before I even thought of beer but my RO said it was OK to have a beer so around the end of my first year post Tx I finally tried one and it actually tasted the same so most nights I will have MY BEER. I have discovered that 3 is my limit at parties and whatnot. Anything more that that and I'm drunk! I also continue to exercise regularly. Currently I do 5 spin classes at the Y complimented by various resistance machines and ride my bike 20 to 40 miles a week. My blood work is A+. My only problem is I can't stop that aging thing!

Do check with your docs as everyone's situation can dictate different responses.


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.
ShellAustralia1978 #167201 06-28-2013 06:54 AM
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Shall, Im glad to see you stop by. So happy you are doing well!

I am one who avoids all alcohol. I wasnt much of a drinker prior to having oral cancer. I would drink only on a very rare occasion, like one drink every couple years.

After OC I have tried a sip of a pina colada which tasted very good. The rum was hidden so it didnt burn my mouth. I think there was only a tiny bit of rum in that drink anyway. A couple weeks ago I took a sip of wine and it tasted horrible to me. It was like drinking vinegar that burned my mouth and throat.

I attended a presentation given by a highly respected doctor who not only practices but also teaches at NYU. He stated alcohol consumption even as low as 2 or 3 drinks per day a few times per week may be considered a risk factor when it comes to OC patients. He did not differentiate between HPV+ and OC caused by other things like tobacco. All of my doctors have varied between avoid it completely to once in a while one is ok.

Personally, I cant take the risk of even an occasional drink if it means it could help bring a recurrence. Ive been thru OC 3 times already, I would not survive a 4th round. I doubt the 2 sips of alcohol Ive taken in 6 years will play a part in changing anything. Drinking is just something I dont want to look back and regret doing like I do smoking.

Check with your doc and remember all things in moderation are usually ok. Bottom line, its up to you.


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
ShellAustralia1978 #167202 06-28-2013 07:34 AM
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Posts: 126
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Hi Shell,

I have struggled a lot with this dilemma as well! My doctor told me that since alcohol wasn't what caused my cancer in the first place, it was ok to drink in moderation. I will have 2-3 beers (max) if i go out on the weekends, but i don't want to risk it drinking any more. so i am permanently the "designated driver" amongst my friends, which is kind of a bummer but at least i am still here to drive!


Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
ShellAustralia1978 #167207 06-28-2013 11:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
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Just starting to get my stride post tx, and wanting a beer now and then, I say fine with me. Many of the posts here are each person's view and perspective and it is all over the map. It seems each person just needs to find that point (level of social drinks) where you believe you are realistically increasing the risk of cancer.

There seems to be little clinical trials or other studies making any connection yet we read everyday that nearly every other thing we eat or breath will kill us, so I side with do the moderation thing and go on living.


Don
Male, 57 - Great health except C
Dec '12
DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes
1 tooth out
Jan '13
2nd tooth out
Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT
4-6/2013
CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150
ended 5/29,6/4
All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com
ShellAustralia1978 #179894 05-05-2014 08:01 AM
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Here is a recent article on the alcohol topic in regards to cancer, which may be of interest to some. I'm still going to have my Michalada for Cinco de Mayo!

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/824237


10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs






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