Hi everyone, my name is Fred and I live in Rockville, Md. I was recently diagnosed with stage 3 tonsil cancer and am now in my 2nd week of treatment. I have a total of 8 weeks of radiation treatment with 3 days of chemo. I am starting to feel the effects of the radiation in my throat and have some concerns. I was hoping to be able to chat with others in the same boat.

I am 53 years old and had just moved to MD from FLorida. I was here about a month and a half when I was diagnosed. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to meeting you and chatting with you

Welcome to OCF Fred. There are many here who share the same type of cancer you have and we are all here to help in any way we can my friend. Ask any question you may have and Im sure someone will be there with an answer for you. Also there is a search engine at the top of the page here. Feel free to search on anything you may have questions about also.

Billy

Hi Fred,

I also had tonsil cancer with 2 lymph nodes - as you can see below.

I was treated in Bethesda, MD.

Send me an email if you have any questions.

Hi Fred: A warm welcome to the forum! I look forward to reading your posts and learning more about you and your current situation. It seems that each of us is able to contribute some useful information which is helpful to someone else!

As has been said many times before..we're all in this together..

Lois & Buzz in NC

Hi Fred,
I am a stage III/IVA tonsil cancer survivor myself. Almost 5 years cancer free now and doing pretty well. You can get through this. Take it one day at a time. Just know that it will get tougher and accept that. Stay on top of side effects and visit here often for help. Keep us updated.

Hi everybody,

Thank you so much for your replys and support. I fully understand that it will get much more difficult before it gets better. 20 years ago, I broke 4 vertabrae in my neck and was told that I might not be able to get out of a wheelchair. Today, I am about 98% functional with some small areas that still bother me. I am a survivor and a fighter and am going to beat this.

When i started my 2nd week of radiation, I wasnt feeling well, i was feeling tired, discombobulated and i was spasming something awful. Well I told my doctor this and they checked my labs. My creatinine was thru the roof and I was almost totally dehydrated. They admitted me on Tuesday and sent me home on Friday with my numbers coming back towards normal. I know that with cisplatin, this could happen, but thought that I was hydrating myself enough. I guess I wasnt. Well my next chemo session is on the 11th and we are talking about doing it as an in patient so that I can be hydrated for at least 24 hours and not have this problem again.

Im starting to get that sore throat that I was told about and not having fun with it. Have all of you had to get the feeding tube as your treatment went on?

Hi Fred,

My father just completed radiation on 8/29. He didn't develop most of the side effects until the last week of treatment. His RO did not suggest a feeding tube. Dad is still able to swallow his food, but his mouth is extremely sore. During treatment he only lost about 4 pounds (my Mom keeps the food coming all day long) and Dad knows that he MUST keep himself hydrated and swallowing food. He is determined and has been from the start that the feeding tube is NOT an option for him.

Everyone is different and many on this board consider the feeding tube a true lifesaver in these circumstances. Speak with your physician and go with what he suggests.

I hope your treatments go well.

Joy

HI, I am 33 days from my last IMRT session, and I had a feeding tube (still do, but stopped using it about 10 days ago). The throat discomfort I had was quite severe, where I could barely sip water. The feeding tube was the only thing that kept me alive during a span of about 4-5 weeks, so I recommend it highly (as the doctors did, they know...). I was diagnosed mid-May 2007 with stage 2 SCC on the left tonsil, and had 3 cisplatin sessions (brutal...) and 34 IMRT sessions at the same time. IT really knowcked me down, but I must say, after 30+ days, I am feeling kuch better. As aonther one said, take it one day at a time.

Fred,
It is mandatory to drink 2-3 liters of water every day. Not only will you feel better but it will prevent kidney damage from the Cisplatin. If you cannot do this make arrangements to get hydrated in the infusion unit as it's much faster and more comfortable than the ER. Keep a log of your fluid intake. If you vomit that water must be replaced.

You can do this Fred, remember you are not alone. There are very knowledgeable people on this forum.They will help you in any way with their own experiences.
You are on my prayer list,
Hugs Mieke