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#99688 07-17-2009 06:51 PM
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WendyG Offline OP
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Hi everyone, just need a bit of advise. Steve is 5 days into a 35 dose radiation. He also had cisplatin 4 days ago. So far he's been going really well but last night and today he is extremely tired. He slept for almost 15 hours last night and is now back in bed, where he's been for 2 hours already. Is this normal? I know fatigue is a side effect but should he be this tired, this early? Any helpful advise would be greatly appreciated.



Wife to Steve 43. DX 5 May 09. T4N2MO SCC tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes & jaw bone
No surgery
Teeth removed 06/07/2009
radiation 13/07/2009 x 7wks
chemo 15/07/2009 x 3 Cisplatin
last TX 28/08/2009
25/11/2009 PET-lymph node activity.
08/01/2010 CT Scan-ALL CLEAR
03/03/2010-Peg removed
01/2013 left side of Jaw removed and replaced with pectoral flap.
23/12/2020 scan show lesion in tongue
01/2021 SCC stage 3 base of tongue diagnosed
01/03/2021 chemotherapy started.
WendyG #99704 07-18-2009 12:18 AM
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only 15 wendy?rob was clocking a steady 18 ,and that was without chemo.Sleep is natures healer sweetie so just take the chance to rest up your self.
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.
WendyG #99706 07-18-2009 12:35 AM
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Sleeping is healing. And if he's sleeping that means his pain is controlled and that is a good thing!


Caregiver for Husband, Dana, age 52
DX 11/08, SCC right tonsil, Stage 3
RND, right tonsilectomy, Peg tube installed 12/08
Cisplatin X3, IMRT X35, last TX 3/09
CT scan 5/09 clear
PEG removed 8/27/09
1st PET scan clear 9/10/09
Minor surgery to repair PEG site 9/17/09


Dianeox #99710 07-18-2009 03:55 AM
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WendyG Offline OP
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Thanks once again. You guys are always there when I'm unsure of things and for that I am so grateful. Steve was doing much better tonight, mostly because of the sleep. I think I just didn't expect big sleeps like that so early into treatment. Although it is nice to see him finally sleeping after such a long time with not much sleep.


Wife to Steve 43. DX 5 May 09. T4N2MO SCC tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes & jaw bone
No surgery
Teeth removed 06/07/2009
radiation 13/07/2009 x 7wks
chemo 15/07/2009 x 3 Cisplatin
last TX 28/08/2009
25/11/2009 PET-lymph node activity.
08/01/2010 CT Scan-ALL CLEAR
03/03/2010-Peg removed
01/2013 left side of Jaw removed and replaced with pectoral flap.
23/12/2020 scan show lesion in tongue
01/2021 SCC stage 3 base of tongue diagnosed
01/03/2021 chemotherapy started.
WendyG #99712 07-18-2009 04:05 AM
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Posts: 8,311
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Wendy,

This Tx is brutal for the majority and for some it's even more brutal. His body is under attack from both the cancer and his Tx. I said many many times during my Tx that I didn't fear the cancer, the Tx was what I feared would kill me. Each of us can react differently but being tired and weak, etc is completely normal. Don't forget what this may be doing to his mental side as I'm sure it's working in overdrive 24/7 right now.


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.
davidcpa #99713 07-18-2009 04:45 AM
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WendyG Offline OP
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Thanks David. I can't begin to even imagine how he and you must have felt. I know Steve really can't explain it to me and all I can do is be patient for him and help as much as I can. I know he's starting to feel better tonight but we both know we are only at the beginning and have a long bumpy road ahead. But we'll get through it and come out the other side ok. He's been ok up until late yesterday and his chemo was 3 days ago but i think I naively thought he was through the worst of the first round of chemo because so many days had passed with him being ok. At least now I will know for next time. So much to learn isn't there?


Wife to Steve 43. DX 5 May 09. T4N2MO SCC tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes & jaw bone
No surgery
Teeth removed 06/07/2009
radiation 13/07/2009 x 7wks
chemo 15/07/2009 x 3 Cisplatin
last TX 28/08/2009
25/11/2009 PET-lymph node activity.
08/01/2010 CT Scan-ALL CLEAR
03/03/2010-Peg removed
01/2013 left side of Jaw removed and replaced with pectoral flap.
23/12/2020 scan show lesion in tongue
01/2021 SCC stage 3 base of tongue diagnosed
01/03/2021 chemotherapy started.
WendyG #99720 07-18-2009 08:18 AM
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I still am tired all day and have to force things to keep me moving. Ths after at least 1 1/2 years maybe longer. I feel for him as do all of us in the forums. Don't forget most of the meds they give us can make one tired too. Of the nine I take in the morning, 7 of them have warnings LOL . Must be my reason for being tired all day. Same thing at nite but some are stronger.


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
EzJim #99725 07-18-2009 09:15 AM
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Wendy,

I will say from experience that you do need to make sure he is not running a fever. You probably have guidelines from your MO/chemo facility about what constitutes a fever that is concerning. I wouldn't think that it is too much of a worry this early in the game but do be aware that Steve is susceptible to illness the more chemo he has.

I say all this because Bill started being very sleepy about 5 weeks into treatment and could not stay awake. When I finally checked his temp, he was over 101 and had to be hospitalized for an unknown infection and neutropenia (low blood count.)

This is just for your information because even as a very involved caregiver, this one slipped up on me.

Deb


Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
debandbill #99806 07-19-2009 06:38 PM
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Posts: 231
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I am in the same boat with Jim. I am tired when I go to bed and tired when I get up. I stayed tired and I talked with my family doc about it and she said it would take more than 2 years for my body to bounce back completely.

As far as him being in the bed 15 hours a day I would say hes doing very well not to be inthe bed longer. I especially remember when I had a chem treatment. I would sleep for 4 days straight. Look for the sleep time to get longer before it gets shorter. As has been already stated, the best time to heal is when the body sleeps.

Billy


Dx Mar 07 with Base Of Tongue Stage IV. IMRT 35x with 3 doses Cysplatin ran concurrent. Tx ended May 31,07. Left and right node involved. Radical neck disection 7/18/07
billy.calcutt #99821 07-19-2009 10:40 PM
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Posts: 1,940
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Just a word of caution wendy Rob always seemed a bit perkier by sunday evenings and of course when Monday comes you start all over again.

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.
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