#43786 08-30-2004 11:07 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) |  "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Eric, Good news. By the time you get this, you will be one more treatment closer to being done. A week of nausia is something you can get through, I'm sure. After all, you've already done it twice, right. My treatments were 30 to 45 minutes, so I know the longer ones can be difficult. I found that it just gave me more praying time with some nice music in the background and before you know it, its over. The last couple of treatments I also got cut down to 15 to 20 minutes. What a pleasure. Almost like no treatment at all. Will pray for your outcome.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#43787 08-30-2004 11:57 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 156 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 156 | Eric -
Congrats on coming this far! The yellow ribbon is ready and waiting for you to cross the finish line! We're cheering you on the whole way!
Sabrina | | |
#43788 08-30-2004 02:49 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hello Erik,
It's so refreshing to hear good news. The light at the end of the tunnel should be pretty bright!!! Hoping you sail right through it. You have helped so many people through your postings. You have earned the respect of all of us. Its nice to be able to see you doing so well.
Best Wishes, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#43789 08-31-2004 03:57 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | Thanks everyone for such encouraging words -- you can't believe how much that has helped...
Now a question:
I met with my chemo doc on Monday right before my third infusion (I did have a little vomiting tonight -- dang it, I was hoping to say I never threw up from chemo -- rats...). Anyway, the doc mentioned doing a fourth, possible a fifth chemo treatment in the coming weeks (each three weeks apart like the first three).
His reasoning: if there is any metastasis, then MAYBE more chemo would help combat that (though there doesn't appear to be a lot of data on this). Of course there is no evidence that I have metastatic disease, but he's saying it MAY help just in case some microscopic cells have escaped to other places.
I guess my question is: is it worth it? I obviously don't want to look back later and say "gee, I could have done something else." But I also don't want to do something just to do it because it may, sort of, kind of maybe work...
Anyone else do "extra" chemo after their radiation? Thanks for any help you can provide...
Just for the record, my cancer was well-differentiated...
Eric
Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.
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#43790 08-31-2004 04:03 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | OK, one more question:
It seems to me that when SCC metastasizes below the neck (lungs, chest, etc.) then docs consider it incurable. My question is: why is that? Can they not use radiation in places like the lungs? Is too much of the cancer "free" in the system by that point? Too many vital organs in the area...
Was just curious... I really hate this disease....
Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.
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#43791 08-31-2004 05:08 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hi Erik,
I have the same question as you. Why can't met to other parts of the body be cured. I had IMRT to my throat and they tell me I had my lifetime dose. Whats the difference if they were to hit the lungs with additional radiation what would it hurt. You have already told me the reoccurrance in my throat will kill me. They are treating me for the reoccurance in the right tonsil area with carboplatin & taxol. I asked why you don't seem concerned about the met to my lungs. She told me the reoccurrance in my throat will kill me long before the lung met would. Guess there are no miricles in this world! I am feeling my resolve to beat this diminished by the attitude of standard medicine. What's the point? To have NO hope is very depressing, I still believe I can beat this, Just give me all the options you can. I will make the decisions on weather or not to receive them.
Best Wishes to All, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#43792 08-31-2004 05:16 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | I believe you can beat this too Danny... And I do believe in miracles... I keep praying for one for you (and all of us)...
Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.
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#43793 08-31-2004 07:57 PM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 85 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 85 | Erik,
As you may recall, I'm on your first time through program without chemo. I do remember a doctor telling me before I started that "they" would love to give me chemo, because I was healthy. I can only assume you are, too, working like you have - or masochistic - and you can tolerate another dose or two.
I don't know if the data is there to support more, but for a few more weeks investment, the payoff is big. Good Luck!
David
T1N0M0 Partial Glossectomy 2/04, Recurrance w/ another P.G. 5/04. IMRTx33 7/04-9/04. T2N2M0 recurrance in throat, 11/04.
2nd tumor 1/06/05, Chemo 1/11-05 Died 02-16-05 Wife: Brenda
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#43794 09-01-2004 05:04 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Erik,
I am glad to hear your treatments are winding down! You are certainly an inspiration to me.
Sorry, I can't answer your questions.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#43795 09-02-2004 03:51 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | It's Thursday night in the big city of Cottonwood, Arizona and I AM ALL DONE WITH TREATMENT!!!! Yippee!!  I got my second "graduation" certificate yesterday after my last radiation and was told that I had better have "learned all the material" this time around. I know I learned all I wanted to know. I hope my neck and lymph nodes got the message... The tough part, of course, is the waiting now for future MRIs, PETs, etc. My first MRI is scheduled for four weeks from now, with a PET to follow in 2-3 months... It's been a crazy ride, and I thank each of you for your support and prayers throughout it all.
Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.
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