Hi Ed!

I had chemo induction prior to starting radiation. This was 3 rounds (2 weeks apart) of cisplatin, 5fu and taxotere. I would go to the doctor's office on Monday and be there on an IV all day getting the chemo, fluids and anti-nausea meds. I had a chemo port and they sent me home with more chemo for another 5 days. The ringing in my ears started right away and has not gone away but other than that, the only other side effect was my hair fell out after the first week. I had no nausea whatsoever and never threw up! I'm not sure when the tingling in my hands and feet started but that's still with me today. With the radiation, I had 7 rounds of Carboplatin. The purpose of the chemo induction was to try to get rid of the tumors in my neck so I wouldn't need a neck dissection. It worked!

At a recent support group meeting, my surgeon was the co-facillitator and they were talking about the different treatment protocols. Not too many people have the chemo induction like I did and I asked him about it. His answer scared the hell out of me and I'm glad I didn't know it prior to treatment. He said "most people can't make it through it".

I live alone and didn't have a caregiver and worked all the way through treatment until I was fired 2 weeks before treatment ended. My advice to you is to be strong, believe in yourself and have a positive attitude!

Good luck and keep posting!!

Cathi