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#23979 08-02-2007 01:24 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Chelle Offline OP
Contributing Member (25+ posts)
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Contributing Member (25+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Hi all,
I've been looking in on this sight for a little while now.
Basically, i finnished treatment in December 2006 for Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. My cancer presented itself as a large 3/4" tumour starting in the Nasopharynx and growing forwards, blocking my left nostril. I had severe nose bleeds/discharge and a blocked ear. It had also spread to a lymph gland in my neck.
Being just 22 when i was diagnsed my Oncologists philosophy was to "throw the book at me". So i had 6 cycles of high dose Cisplatin & 5FU. Followed by 6 & half weeks of Radical Radiotherapy.
As far as we're concerned i've got the all clear (my lymph shrunk considerably with the first dose of chemo. & within a week my nostril unblocked and i could breathe). A C.T scan before my 4th cycle showed no signs of cancer. So everything that followed was to make sure we kicked it in the butt & it doesn't come back.
I dropped to 6stone 10lb, even with a RIG tube fitted - and size 0 aint all its cracked up to be! laugh
Long term - i have no saliva so have the usual problems with that. & severe nerve damage in my hands and feet from chemo. Tinnitus. Frozen shoulders. & a funky looking hair style as i lost lots - but not all - of my hair.
ANYWAY!
That's the condensed version of my battle with cancer.
Now - i'm back to work full time & grateful to be living my life again, even though i'll never be 'normal' again (what is normal anyway?!)
There IS life after cancer smile
So anyone reading this that's in the thick of it, it does sometimes have a happy ending!
Thanks for listening,
Michelle


Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Ca. T3N1M0 stage: IIb. diagnosed: June 2006. 6cycles of high dose chemo (Cisplatin & 5FU). 6 & half weeks (33sessions) radical R/T
#23980 08-02-2007 02:20 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
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Congrat Michelle!!!!!


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
#23981 08-02-2007 08:25 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,940
"OCF across the pond"
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
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"OCF across the pond"
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,940
Hi Chelle and welcome to my secret hiding place :p its lovely to see you here and if you are half as good at giving people the benefit of your experience here as you are in the uk you will be greatly appreciated.

Hope the practising is going well and i look forward to the news of new life resulting from your success story whenever you decide the time is right.

lots of love liz


Liz in the UK

Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.

Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
#23982 08-02-2007 11:23 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 221
Gold Member (200+ posts)
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 221
Hi Chelle,

Welcome to the site. I've seen you on the other site as well and I'm familiar with your story.

It's nice to have you here smile

Joy


CG to Father, 75 yo with SCC of the mouth; upper maxillectomy and neck diss. performed on 5/23/07. Father also suffered heart attack during surgery and now has CHF. RT complete on 8/28/07. Cancer back 11/27/07. RT and Chemo to start on 12/17. Cancer back 6/17/08. Finally at rest 08/08/08.
#23983 08-02-2007 03:13 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 214
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 214
Congrats! Great attitude!


Left tonsil SCC, HPV+. T2N0M0. Tonsillectomy 3-07, bilateral radiation, cisplatin 3x, Tx completed 6-06. Clear PET 4-01-2008.
Thyroidectomy 5-9-08, resulting in permanent surgically-induced hypoparathyroidism and adrenal problems. Bummer.
#23984 08-03-2007 06:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Chelle Offline OP
Contributing Member (25+ posts)
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Contributing Member (25+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Thanks guys!
Liz,
Still practising! wink


Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Ca. T3N1M0 stage: IIb. diagnosed: June 2006. 6cycles of high dose chemo (Cisplatin & 5FU). 6 & half weeks (33sessions) radical R/T
#23985 08-03-2007 03:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
Hi Michelle! How wonderful to hear how great you are doing! Your enthusiasm is really catching! As for "normal" - nobody is normal. Everyone is unique and special and living the "new normal".


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.)




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