Hi G,

I'm new here and just started my treatments last week. I'm 3 rads in (of 30) and 1 chemo (cisplatin) out of 6 weekly done.

Nothing really to report other than a slight sunburn feeling to the left side of my neck and a little redness (Special Care Cream helping) and a general feeling of "yuck" this morning from the chemo yesterday. I have several anti-nausea drugs I need to take the next three days.

Concerning the cold. Always ask your docs but I'm Ok'd to use Afrin for nasal congestion. My mask has a mouthpiece built in and it's tight so it's difficult to breath through my mouth. If you have a cold and can't breath, I imagine you have mucous in your throat too. I would ask about a decongestant to dry you up so you can deal with rad treatments easier.

I'm surprised your RO recommended Tylenol. Tylenol can mask a fever and your team would want to know if you develop one, especially with the salivary gland reacting that way. I'd ask again if this hasn't eased up.

Concerning your hearing. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss are legitimate concerns with Cisplatin. Not all patients are affected by this. Being a musician, my hearing is vital to my livelihood. I had a baseline hearing test and will have it checked again after a few weeks/treatments. My MO feels a 20% loss of hearing is acceptable and will continue Cisplatin should that happen. If it get's worse, we'll switch to Carboplatin for the remaining chemo treatments.

Good luck with everything!

"T"

Last edited by fishmanpa; 03-19-2013 04:50 AM.

57
Cardiac bypass 11/07
Cardiac stents 10/2012
Dx'd 11/30/2012 Tx N2b MO Stage IV HPV+
Palatine Tonsillectomy/Biopsies 12-21-12
Selective Neck Dissection/Lingual Tonsillectomy/biopsies TORS 2/7/13
Emergency Surgery/Bleeding 2/18/13
3/13/2013 30rads/6chemo
Finished Tx 4/24/13
NED Since