Thanks David!

THe patches didn't do anything to pain for me. maybe they just don't work for all of us. Like most things do the same . I need extra anesthesia to put me out so I guess I am different.

Jim:
During your appointment at Moffitt, you may want to ask about Tomotherappy. I'm sure they have a machine. The radiation is much more precise than the IMRT with less scatter. The primary use of this machine is with solid tumor cancers.
It may be worth asking the questions.
Sandyst

Jim
I am just a little bit worried about your line"i have pretty much decided not to do the 3 cisplatin"

while i am a great believer in being your own advocate,i also think if Medics advise a course of treatment its a good idea to respect their expertise if you are confident in their qualification to treat you.Rob was never offered chemo,which at the time i thought was great news and meant his dx wasn't as bad as some people weknew at the time.He had a recurrence 8 weeks after finishing all his surgery/treatment and was offered no further options.i often wonder if this would have happened if he had been given concurrent chemo and the guys going through this crap at the same time as he was are still here to tell the tale,and had much worse initial dx than he did.I know some people take the view point that chemo can be held in reserve if the worst does happen,but sometimes if the worst does happen its too late.

I guess what i am saying Jim is throw everything at it you are offered .A few weeks of crap is better than the alternatives.

love liz

wfc, definetely listen to what Charm posted about the fentanyl he's dead on there. I've been on the patch for about a year now and am finally able to start dialing down and getting off the stuff. The patch works by heat and changes in temperatures can cause more pain meds to be released and have it run out sooner, I generally get around 60hrs out of my 72 hour patch. It's really addictive as well so I carry backup pain meds wherever I go because I've been caught dry and started going through withdrawels...pretty nasty stuff but it does the trick for my pain.

Keep your chin up man and good luck to you, for me going through chemo/rads tx was the hardest part. If I can do it I'm sure you can man.

best wishes

Eric

I liked what liz had to say as well and totally agree with her

EricS,

The fentanyl did nothing for my pain, so I am off of it already. I went back on the oxycodone liquid. It burns my throat for a few seconds, but it works for my pain and that is all I am concerened with.
Good luck to you Eric.

WFC,, it didn't even burn my throat I've had stronger cough drops. But that doesn't mean they are no good, just that I need other narcotics.