#98172 06-26-2009 09:28 AM | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | Just to let everyone know today I finished my last radiation treatment. When I heard the original number 39 I thought, my God I can't due that. Then, I thought "one day at a time" that is the only way to get through this trip. I stopped working this past Monday and I plan to take the next three weeks off on sick time. I am SO much more tired than I was last week, I can't believe the difference. I am sleeping whenever I feel tired, so I am not awake too often. I am still eating around 1800 calories a day by mouth daily and drinking a lot of water. I have lost a total of 30 lbs so far. I am on fental pain pouch, 75mg I think, and also vicidon liquid every four hours for pain. When my treatment was over today the team gave me my mask to take with me along with a "diploma of graduation". The rad Dr said I was her "Poster Child" and I was lucky to have done as well as I have. I told her it was due to all the people praying to God for me and the support of my wife, family and for the support I get from this cite. I am going to take nap number 3 for the day but before I go I once again want to take the time to thank all on this cite who have given me support and in any way contribute. It was SO nice to know what to expect with each new week, what problems to expect and what to do to deal with them. I depended on this cite a lot during my treatment and I will continue to post in the future. My next Dr appointment is for the end of July. God bless anyone who is in any way associated with this horible monster Cancer. Some day a cure will be found "You gotta believe".
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009 No Chemo Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009. Two years down as of 3/30/2011! God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 | Congrats! Getting those rads behind you is huge. Now, you can really start the healing process. Remember - your body is full of radiation and it will take "some time" to burn its way out of your system so progress comes but it is slow. Again, WAY TO GO!
Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 | My Buddy, my Pal
Way to go. I'm so proud of you!!!!
Sandy
Last edited by SandySt.; 06-26-2009 01:12 PM.
Sandy 56, BOT SCC Biopsy 1/21/09 Stage 3, T3NXM0. Finished 3 cycle induction chemotherapy 4/7/09. (Chisplatin, 5-fu and Texotere). Re-staged 4/20/09,(very successful.) Will start Carboplatin/radiation 2 Gy/5 days/7 weeks (Tomotherapy) starting May 4th. Finished 6/22/09. OCF member/supporter
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | WAY TO GO. Just a tad longer and you will start to feel human again so just hang in there a little more. Be mindful that some depression can creep over you in the next few weeks as you have lost that radiation room "lifeline". It's normal.
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.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 | wfc,
I'm so impressed with how well you did through radiation. Sure, your tired now...who wouldn't be? I'm amazed, and thrilled for you, that you are still able to eat by mouth...that's huge!!! Can you do food? Or are you doing liquid supplements? Accomplishments like that are sooo good for people who are embarking on this journey to read.
Next two weeks might be tough, but keep posting! I think it goes better if you are able to stay hydrated...and, it sounds like you are doing a great job of that! Margaret ---------- C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx) Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3) Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
| | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | I was doing the following on a daily basis: After getting home from treatment around 11:30AM I eat: 3 soft boiled/scrambled eggs Carnation instant Breakfast with Choc syrup added to boost the calories 3 tbs of butter 2 cups of coffee
Check emails and take a nap
Around 2:30 PM I have a cup of tea
check emails and take another nap
When my wife gets home from work I eat:
2/3 packs of Ramen noodle soup or other types of soups Carnation Instant Breakfast with extra choc syrup added to boost the calories
Later at night I have a cup of tea
a lot of water- approx 100 oz. a day At the end of the day, the least I eat by mouth is 1700 cal. I do not have a peg. Over the last month I have gone from 1700 cal a day to 2200 cal a day.
I have lost 30 lbs so far.
The rest of the day I am either sleeping or taking my meds and reading.
The above schedule was for the last week when I wasn't working.
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009 No Chemo Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009. Two years down as of 3/30/2011! God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | WFC.. congrats. I knew you could handle that little task.Just think, in a few years you will look back and laugh at it.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | WFC
CONGRATULATIONS. Although I am still not laughing about my TX, I do remember just how great it felt to take that mask home as a trophy charm 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | WFC,
That is so AWESOME!!! Good for you!! I did not have radiation because my doc thinks I may need it in the future which scares me to death. Seeing your strength and your one day at a time method is inspirational.
Suzanne *********** T1 SCC on right side of tongue Age 31...27 when diagnosed 4 partial glossectomies No chemo or radiation Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011 Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10 It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | YEAH BILL!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on your successful completion of your treatments. You have done amazingly well. You should be very proud of yourself. Let the healing begin!!!! Congrats ChristineSCC 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 | | |
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