| | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 | The infection is certainly a diversion but should not be serious enough to change things much, perhaps delaying the start of the chemo and rad.
The fluid draining out has slowed down meaning it is mostly done. When out stop completely, they will take the drain out and let it seal up. That will be the beginning of the healing of the infection. I'm on IV antibiotic every eight hours.
The infection might be related to my diabetes. Because wound heal slower.
Hopefully I will go home soon and continue the journey.
I can't wait to start eating real food. This meal replacement stuff doesn't bother me as such but I find I'm getting sick of its smell. I swear I smell like that in my breath. Can't wait to not have to take that stuff.
Joseph 59 male
pain in tongue strt 2/10/12, Dx SCC 3/19/12, confirmed Stg IV 4/5/12,
Total Glsctmy & recon w/ flap from L thigh, neck disct, trach 4/27/12
G-Tube 5/1/12
55 nodes all clear
completed 2 chemo 33 rad
non-smoker, non-drinker, exercise daily, mostly vegetarian diet...go figure
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | I hear you on all counts - heal up you'll be good in no time!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 |
Still at the hospital nursing the infection. The contrast dye they gave me for the CT scan its still leaving me with rash all over, but the puffing was gone.
It may be a few more days before I can go home. At that point the home care nurse will take over the daily change of the gauze at both ends of the opening. I don't feel any pain, more discomfort. I look really funny now with a thin gauze hanging out the corner of my mouth tape to my face. I really don't care how I look as long as I get better and finish off the chemo and rad.
One positive note is I'm definitely gaining weight, now at 135.5 lb. My goal is 145 before chemo and rad.
Joseph 59 male
pain in tongue strt 2/10/12, Dx SCC 3/19/12, confirmed Stg IV 4/5/12,
Total Glsctmy & recon w/ flap from L thigh, neck disct, trach 4/27/12
G-Tube 5/1/12
55 nodes all clear
completed 2 chemo 33 rad
non-smoker, non-drinker, exercise daily, mostly vegetarian diet...go figure
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Hi, Joseph
glad to hear you are doing being and gaining weight, and that the pain is down to a managable level. You've got a great attitude that will serve you well through the rest of the treatment!
Maria
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 | Hi Maria,
Thanks for the encouragement. As it turns out, I was allergic to the antibiotic Clindamycin so they changed it to Metronydazole. We will see if it does the trick. I'm expected to be in the hospital until Friday.
Saw the chemo doc today. Didn't explain much, just said he thinks I may not need chemo. May be because of my infection. He said he will discuss it with my radiation doc and he will explain everything.
I'm not unhappy if I don't get chemo. I just don't want to compromise my chance of cure. Decisions, decisions.
Joseph 59 male
pain in tongue strt 2/10/12, Dx SCC 3/19/12, confirmed Stg IV 4/5/12,
Total Glsctmy & recon w/ flap from L thigh, neck disct, trach 4/27/12
G-Tube 5/1/12
55 nodes all clear
completed 2 chemo 33 rad
non-smoker, non-drinker, exercise daily, mostly vegetarian diet...go figure
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 | I'm going to be in the hospital until Monday and they will decide at that point when I will go home. The infection is under control and the opening is healing nicely from both ends. They changed the antibiotic from IV to oral, Gtube in my case.
Patience is the word.
Joseph 59 male
pain in tongue strt 2/10/12, Dx SCC 3/19/12, confirmed Stg IV 4/5/12,
Total Glsctmy & recon w/ flap from L thigh, neck disct, trach 4/27/12
G-Tube 5/1/12
55 nodes all clear
completed 2 chemo 33 rad
non-smoker, non-drinker, exercise daily, mostly vegetarian diet...go figure
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Good luck. Keep us posted
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.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Awesome - not fun being stuck in the hospital healing is good though!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 47 |
Actually didn't get out that Monday. They wanted to keep me longer and now is almost week later. I'm pretty sure this time I'm getting out next Monday. This stay is longer than the one after surgery.
The good news is everything is healing well and they have taken me off all antibiotics because the infection stopped quite a few days ago. They also stop the packing in the floor of the mouth, and there is only a tiny bit under the chin.
Just saw Dr. Irish, the surgeon and he was happy with the progress of everything. He wasn't concerned with the infection because it hasn't impacted the timing of radiation. He will book an appt with Dr. Bayley, the radiation oncologist, for me to plan the radiation. Chemo is of the table, which is good.
Found out that the hospital has a lodge for chemo and radiation patients during treatments for out of town patients. Since we live an hour away, I qualify. The cost is low and I will save a ton of time and energy and not having to get someone to drive. Great solution all around!
Joseph 59 male
pain in tongue strt 2/10/12, Dx SCC 3/19/12, confirmed Stg IV 4/5/12,
Total Glsctmy & recon w/ flap from L thigh, neck disct, trach 4/27/12
G-Tube 5/1/12
55 nodes all clear
completed 2 chemo 33 rad
non-smoker, non-drinker, exercise daily, mostly vegetarian diet...go figure
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Yup they're great at the lodge..l he went to town removing 55 nodes! I saw hm last week as well. He really is quite terrific.  good luck on rads.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,251 Posts197,142 Members13,324 | | Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025 | | |
|
