| | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Good luck and the best to you and the family. Rads and chemo aren't all that bad it's the after affects that start after a few days. Get that " I can whip this stuff " going and you will be fine. I'll lend you some of my angels to lay there beside you.
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: Apr 2012 Posts: 111 "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 111 | Hi Kerri, so sorry you are having problems with the port. I never had one, but has lots of problems with veins so I can see why it might be worth the pain. I'll be thinking of you on the 11th. I will be back at the cancer centre for my 6 wk check up that day. It always reminds me of going in for treatment. It doesn't seem so long ago since I was going in for the simulation and getting started with rads. So focus on being on the other side of the treatment with it all behind you.
Best wishes Sally
Dx 10/11 51yrs LBOT Stage 4 2nodes HPV16+. Non-smoker mod alcohol.
10/11 Induction chemox2 (Docetaxel, 5-Flu, Cisplatin) then Cisplatinx2 IMRTx30. Ended 01/13/12.
12/07/11 RIG. RIG removed 05/05/12.
4/12 CT scan clear. Visual scope checks clear as of 10/13. Learning to live with eating challenges.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | The port is getting better every day. I'd say in a couple of weeks, it will feel like a part of me. I know it will be worth it. Knowing how my veins are, I'm the one who actually requested it. I don't want the toxic chemo drugs leaking out of the veins and into the surrounding tissues. We have enough to deal with during treatment. Thank you, Sally  .
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Thank you, Jim.
I'll have to pull out that "I can whip this stuff!" attitude when those symptoms pop up. I am gearing up for war. I've got my Dove soap, Aquafor, toddler extra-soft tooth brush, baking soda, salt, Biotene, and the ultra water pick is on the way (thank you Amazon). I also have some kick-ass music to see me through each treatment, along with some Ativan, lol.
I have found the Lotsa Helping Hands website to be an excellent tool to organize child care, rides, and respite care, and basically any needs we may run into. I would highly recommend it!
Love and health to you all,
Kerri
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Hi Kerri, so you're well prepared. Thinking of you as you progress forward. Go get em and take care.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Thank you, Tammy. I hope you and Kris doing okay. Hopefully, you're looking forward to Spring. Winter sure does pass more slowly here in New England!
xoxo,
Kerri
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | You are ready for the war for sure. Good job Kerri and keep up the positive outlook.
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
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