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#197244 09-29-2018 07:49 AM
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Hello,
I started my treatment wednesday, so 3 radiation treatments so far. Monday&Tuesday will be chemo and radiation. I feel like I am getting a cold, could this be from just 3 radiation treatments or just my bad luck to catch a cold now?

George
(still working on the sig)
1 node
1 tumor HPV+


GeoH
BCGeorge #197247 09-29-2018 07:41 PM
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Could be either. ((hugs)) I hope you are feeling better before Monday!


Surgery 5/31/13
Tongue lesion, right side
SCC, HPV+, poorly differentiated
T1N0 based on biopsy and scan
Selective neck dissection 8/27/13, clear nodes
12/2/13 follow-up with concerns
12/3/13 biopsy, surgery, cancer returned
1/8/14 Port installed
PEG installed
Chemo and rads
2/14/14 halfway through carboplatin/taxotere and rads
March '14, Tx done, port out w/ complications, PEG out in June
2017: probable trigeminal neuralgia
Fall 2017: HBOT
Jan 18: oral surgery
BCGeorge #197250 09-30-2018 06:24 AM
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You could get a cold even during treatment. The doctors always insisted that my husband get his flu shots in the fall because if he got the flu during treatment, it would be a big deal.



Gloria
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards

Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016.
BCGeorge #197252 09-30-2018 07:27 AM
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I have thought about the fact that it might be better to go through this treatment during the summer and before winter because any sickness would be a nightmare. Thank goodness I haven't had a cold in probably 30 yrs and rarely pick up anything. I would hate to pass something along to husband while he is going through treatment. Hope it's just some sniffles and goes away quickly.


Spouse of 58 yr old with BOT cancer
Stage 4a HPV16 positive
3 chemo treatments cisplantin
35 radiation treatments 7000 cGy
former smoker/chewed tobacco for 38 yrs.
1/2020 diagnosed with cancer near TMJ
4/2020 chemo 5 days every 2 weeks
6/2020 proton therapy
9/21/2020 cancer free
BCGeorge #197253 09-30-2018 10:27 AM
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Hi George.
I highly doubt that the rads had anything to do with your cold. More likely, you can get a exposed to a cold just going back and forth to a medical facility where there are lots of people and germs.
As we all emphasize, every patients experience is unique, but my first few weeks of rads were so side effect free, I was fooled into thinking that somehow it wasn't affecting me as much as other people.
Now, on the chemo aspect, that brings your resistance to germs down, but even that takes a bit, I think.
But certainly, going forward, be careful to keep your hands clean, and try to minimize crowds where you may pick up germs.
My insurance company has a nurse overseeing my medical history, and she suggested during and after my chemo, to wear a face mask going in public.
I was embarrassed to do that, so I limited my encounters in public spaces.
Best wishes.


Enlarged left cervical lymph node in neck on 1/9/18. Male, age 60. Had retired from working as a computer technician and a project manager for almost 38 years, on 7/1/17.
Node was removed 1/16/18 and found to have SCC P16.
Chest xray clean.
Since then, PET/CT, slight activity left parotid, possible malignancy left lingual tonsil. MRI clean.
3 endoscopies, nothing seen.
2/26/18 Larryngoscopy,primary not found.
TORS 3/23/18 lingual tonsil biopsy.,biopsy negative.
Chemo/rads started 4/18/18.
BCGeorge #197278 10-03-2018 09:10 AM
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Thanks CM,
One week done.. Went to Chemo Mon/Tues they gave me a sample bottle of MuGuard and told me to rinse with 5ml and swallow before radiation treatments, nasty taste and consistency but if it will help reduce damage I'll just have to tough it out. The only thing I have noticed so far is slight throat discomfort..


GeoH
BCGeorge #197286 10-03-2018 01:35 PM
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it seems everyone is different but my husband has not complained much about a sore throat yet and he's doing his last treatment (#35) tomorrow. He wouldn't say it's a walk in the park but he has complained about his feeding tube the whole time though. Hang in there.


Spouse of 58 yr old with BOT cancer
Stage 4a HPV16 positive
3 chemo treatments cisplantin
35 radiation treatments 7000 cGy
former smoker/chewed tobacco for 38 yrs.
1/2020 diagnosed with cancer near TMJ
4/2020 chemo 5 days every 2 weeks
6/2020 proton therapy
9/21/2020 cancer free
BCGeorge #197388 10-13-2018 07:36 AM
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Question? Taking the medications (4-5 pills am/pm) I had before beginning treatments were no big deal, but now after 13 radiation treatments I am having a real hard time getting them down. I gag or when I do get them down it feels like they have glued themselves to my throat. I have tried using the MuGard before taking the pills but that stuff.. ewww, I just had a mini gag reflex thinking about that stuff. I see the MO on Tuesday I just need an idea of what to ask him for..


GeoH
BCGeorge #197389 10-13-2018 08:57 AM
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At your upcoming MO appointment make sure you have a chat with your doc about your reduced ability to swallow and how its affecting your ability to take medicine. Ask your doc for prescriptions to get your medicine in liquid form. If you have a feeding tube you can use that to take your meds, especially if they're liquid. Not all medications are able to be crushed but maybe yours are? Check with your doc to see if thats an option then you could mix it with applesauce to take the meds. Another option is to crush the pills and add a little warm water in one of those small medicine cups (the 20ml or so size that is in most over the counter liquid cold medicines) to further dissolve it then you could try drinking the medicine like a shot. Good luck with your appointment!!!


Christine
SCC 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 smile
BCGeorge #197390 10-13-2018 12:13 PM
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I think it may also be that your throat is dryer now after the 13 sessions of radiation.

Before you crush any pills, make sure you ask your doctor/pharmacist if the pills can be crushed. If the the pills are timed-release capsules, it is particularly important to ask. If you just open the capsule and pour in all the little granules, you may end up with an overdose. It’s a good idea to have your pharmacist’s phone number handy so that you can call them any time you have a question about your medication and you won’t have to wait to hear back from your doctor. Sometimes, some medications may react with other substances, for example, a thyroid hormone pill with calcium. It’s best to check with the pharmacist and tell them if you plan to dissolve the pills in milk/applesauce/or whatever.


Gloria
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards

Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016.
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