Hello, Friends.
We have, we think, good news.
Tom's had his second Cisplatin infusion (Wednesday) and the doctor was visibly surprised (and pleased) with the diminished size of the tumors in the lymph nodes on the right side of Tom's neck smile He has moved the first radiation session up about 2 weeks, and we are beginning that on Sept. 7. I'm anxious about it, but Tom is very excited to be hitting this thing on a faster track. I see that some of you did not have surgery after chemo/radiation - Tom is wondering if going that extra step is any kind of 'insurance' that all the microscopic devils have been killed....? I am seeing that some of you did not have chemo and are working with recurrence situations.
Perhaps the use of chemo with radiation is too new to have a 'history,' but I'm wondering what the numbers might be on recurrences in patients who used both procedures their first go-round.

What is up with the hiccups? Almost immediately this time, he's spending a better part of his day with them. Last night they woke me up!

As always, thanks for being here. I've learned so much, and it helps to be able to talk intelligently with the medical team - - you all should be able to put PhDs behind your signatures !
Nicki


Nicki, wife of Thomas
dx July 2004, SCC, Stage 4 Tonsil. Tx begun 8/4/04. Cisplatin/Xeloda x 4; IMRT 7 wks, 8/7 - 10/25/04 Modified Radical Dissection (right), Selective Dissection (Left) 12/10/04.