| 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 | Jim, hyperbaric treatments are usually not running on time. So many things can affect your appointment time. It depends on others who must clear their ears or have their blood surgar stabalized. Many times people before me were very delayed or couldnt dive at all due to problems.
Take a clear plastic water bottle and remove the label. You can take that into the tank to drink which will help you swallow to clear your ears. Make sure if your ears hurt you tell them immediately so they dont keep going and rupture your eardrums. Cant use any lotions, perfumes, hair dyes, (nail polish and makeup are out too in case there are ladies who need HBO info). No books but they should have tv's which is going to be an adjustment for you. Its not easy for an active person to lay in the tank for 2 hours in the middle of the day watching tv. After I adjusted to the routine and being lazy was necessary then I would take a nap everyday.
Best of luck with your HBO. I want an update the end of next week. If you dont feel a big difference and much better then I will be shocked.
Im going to have my son bring his laptop to the hospital for me to use. 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 | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Christine. You know I will post daily . I think the worst part will be dealing with the construction traffic on I 70 between Wheeling and Washington, Pa. It is terrible and there is no way around it unless I go north to Steubenville and then take RT 22 into Pittsburgh. My pastor wants to go with me Monday and I will have to watch my mouth. LOL That will be a no hand signal ride.
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: Aug 2009 Posts: 207 "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 207 | Good luck Jim, haven't heard of what you are about to experience, but thoughts will be with you.
J xx
Jeanna Wife/Carer of Rod, 56, Dx 5/3/09, SCC Oropharnyx T4 N2, End Tx 28th 07/09, 7wks Rad, 3 Cisplatin, primary tonsil, 4cm Lymph right of neck, 1cm left, in jaw & soft palate & base of tongue. Peg 06/09. CT & PET scans 02/11 - NED. Dentures 20/09/11, PEG out 28/10/11.
| | | | 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 | Thats funny Jim...the pastor will keep you on the straight and narrow. Bahave yourself and be careful. Any chance of getting people to help drive you even a couple times per week?
Best of luck with the HBO. Im gonna be a little busy for a few days so Im looking forward to seeing a good update about how good you feel.
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 | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Christine, if I have to lie to my buddy and say I feel better, LOL I will. J/K I will let you know for sure. The Dr and his Nurse said they are hardly ever behind but could be ahead of schedule. I am hoping they can get someone to give up an 11 AM time. That would be better than the 1 PM one for the duration. I just hope he doesn't add 10 and make it 40.
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: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | All the best for your first HBO treatment Jim and remember to watch what you say while you have the pastor in the car Any other offers for the long drive? Let us know how it went. Angel Gabriele
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma. 14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad. 6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012. bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia 24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Jim...sounds like you will need be on your best behavior on Monday morning!! Good luck on your first treatment!!
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 | Jim... The truth and nothing but the truth!!!! When I return to the boards, I expect to see you are feeling really better. Best of luck with HBO. Please be careful with your long drive. Isnt your daughter around there? Maybe you could hang out at her house during the week. Im just looking out for all the other drivers between yoru house and Pittsburgh Behave yourself with the pastor and also with the HBO nurses 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 | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | The Pastor I can behave for LOL but as for the nurses, the only one I saw was the male one. No problem there. Geez, maybe he has a sister. HUMMMM
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: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 | Jim,
Where in Pittsburgh are you going for your HBO treatments? We will be in Pittsburgh this week moving my son into the U of Pittsburgh (which is actually in the Oakland area).
I got most of my 45 HBO treatments at a hospital about 45 minutes to 1 hour away (depending on traffic). I drove most days myself, but it was a nice drive (mostly country roads). The treatment isn't bad, just long and boring. Just make sure you "clear you ears" when diving or you could have problems.
Susan
SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0 Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV- Surgery: June 2005 RT: Feb-Apr 2006 HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105! Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010 Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
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