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| | Joined: Dec 2016 Posts: 46 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2016 Posts: 46 | Welcome Stef! Glad you found us. People here can offer great support and advice as well as compassion.
Doctors told me I most likely had a branchial cleft cyst for close to 2 months before a surgeon diagnosed me with stage 4 BOT SSC. A real kick in the head but came through 8 weeks of treatment with positive "results."
The ability to keep working varies with each individual as well as the type of work you do. My work requires I drive a lot and I started feeling lightheaded and dizzy about a week into treatments from low blood pressure. I figured getting into an accident trying to drive would be a little anti productive so I hung up the keys. I also had a hard time concentrating and it would take me twice as long to write a report and I was worried about making mistakes that could impact on my professional license.
In the end I decided to stop working and concentrate on getting better. Being a bit of a workaholic this wasn't easy but I put all of my efforts into getting better and decided this was going to be my "job" for the next few months.
I don't regret my decision as beating cancer, especially this cancer, takes everything you've got. I have been back to work for a while now and performing just as well as before.
Just listen to what your body is telling you and don't try to be a hero by plowing through it. Rest is incredibly important. Your body will be trying to recover from the cancer AND the treatments.
I wish you the best of luck in your journey and am sure you will do well. Better days are ahead of you! 😃
Ed
Edward, 64 yrs
7/21/2016 Dx BOT stage 4 w additional tumors neck & left lymph node
8/15/2016 began Tmt EBT w Cesplatin 1x week for 8 wks.
Feeding tube and port.
10/17/2016 finished treatment. CT still shows tissue. Dr. Says 60% chance it is scar tissue.
01/13/2016 PET Scan shows no sign of cancer.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 81 Likes: 2 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 81 Likes: 2 | David,
Thank you so much. Stanford seems to frown on the PEG but I will ask if we can do it proactively.
Really appreciate learning about your experience!
Stef
Keep fighting friends!
Me -- currently 53 years old
SCC diagnosed 3/7/2017 at age 48
Staging SCC HPV+ T0,N1 primary unknown
PET 3/16, no activity, biopsies 3/23 benign
TORS surgery identified 2mm tumor in BOT (vallecula)
Cancer restaged T1, N2, M0
Begin 30 sessions of radiation (60 Gy) 6/13
Completed radiation 7/24/2017
1st MRI clear 10/23/2017!!
2nd MRI clear 10/17/2018!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 81 Likes: 2 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 81 Likes: 2 | Hi Ed,
Wow! I am so happy that your cancer responded to the treatment and appreciate your advice.
I hope I can work a few weeks of the treatment; I am a scientist and pretty much just work at a desk. I do a lot of writing and some speaking to different teams.
Very anxious but trying to stay focused on the day to day and not worry.
Stef
Keep fighting friends!
Me -- currently 53 years old
SCC diagnosed 3/7/2017 at age 48
Staging SCC HPV+ T0,N1 primary unknown
PET 3/16, no activity, biopsies 3/23 benign
TORS surgery identified 2mm tumor in BOT (vallecula)
Cancer restaged T1, N2, M0
Begin 30 sessions of radiation (60 Gy) 6/13
Completed radiation 7/24/2017
1st MRI clear 10/23/2017!!
2nd MRI clear 10/17/2018!
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