Well after 30 long days in my new environment of doctors, hospitals, biopsies, C-scans etc. etc I am ready to start treatment on monday for StageIII base of tongue cancer. It is Stage III because it has moved to my right lymph node. Yesterday I had the feeding tube installed which really sounds worse than it really is. I'm a little sore but basically feeling ok. My treatment will include radiation twice a day for seven weeks and chemo (cisplatin) once every three weeks (3X's). From what I read on the site this is pretty typical. Surgery will be considered at some point if Plan A doesn't work. I am of course hoping it won't be needed but prepared to do what I have to.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared but I am ready and anxious to get started with my treatment. What I would like to ask the group is given that I am at the begining can you guys give me any helpful hints that got you thru this or made any element of the treatment any easier? I realize that this is a pretty broad question but at this point everything helps. Thanks for your help.Brian this site is the best-thanks.

Well the first thing I want you to focus on is that there are plenty of us out here, stage 3

Thanks Brian I made a copy of your note and I am putting it on my office(home) wall to keep me focused on the "end" game which is to get thru this and back to my life. I already am a different person and I expect there will be other changes which as you say will probably not be all bad.I will take your advice on the journal etc. which my wife has already started. I do commercial real estate consulting, appraisal and investing which I can do for the most part in my home so I am going to try to keep my mind engaged to some degree and hopfully try not to watch too much Oprah etc. Thanks again for your words and I will stay in touch thru OCF.

Hi Len:

Welcome to OCF and the company of friends. You have a long and tedious road ahead but one that has been well travelled by many brave people here and the partners and family members who walk along with them. You have found the best place for sage advice, practical tips, and a safe haven to vent.

Brian's post above offers the nuts and bolts of what you need to take in the first phsae of treatment. Great idea to save it because that advice got most of us through the first big hurdles in the process.

Just to catch you up, at this time last year, my fiance, Dave had just had surgery for a tonsil lesion followed by flap reconstruction. Just about this time, he also got a PEG tube and was a couple of weeks into radiation. The treatment is hell and feels endless, but now, one year later, he is eating and talking well, feeling stronger except for residual low energy days, and is dealing with processing the blur of the last several months. Focus on getting through today but keep your eye on the big prize-treatment does end and life does resume.

As Oprah says (and you'll hear it as you watch endlessly): "You go, girl" Okay, so she has a lot of female guests but you get the picture!

Best.

Kim

Hi Len,

You will receive no better advice than you received from Brian!!

I am a short way into my journey and the support I receive from this forum has made the difference for me. It's so empowering to have some knowledge about this diaease and it's treatment. Please post your questions often as there are hundreds of members who will help you.

Good luck in your treatment!!!
I wish you all the best and post often.
Daniel Bogan