Hello Friends,

I had my 26th treatment (IMRT) today and was scheduled for 30. The rad on'gist wants to add three more treatments due to how well I am doing on the rad. I was scheduled for 30 trearments of 200 reds per session which would equal a total of 6000 rads.

He told me if he added three more treatments it increases my survival rate 2 to 3%. I naturally said go for it.

I have had my 1st negative reaction to the rad after 24 treatments. I have a tickling kind of throat cough. No real pain but have been coughing all night and day. The rad on'gist gave me a script for Benzonatate capsules and to take one capsule three times per day. Anyone ever hear of this drug?

Also got three bills from HMO today. The day of my surgery 7/31/03 came to around $76.000.00
(15 Hours) My rad workup was $10.000.00 waiting to see what 33 treatments of rad will cost? Thank God for Insurance I only had to pay $50.00 in co-pays. My wife is a nurse and they sure have great Insurance.

Daniel,

I don't post here very often, but still lurk. My stepfather went through those treatments and had a terrible time after the 3rd week. He was in alot of pain before treatments began though. He has been cancer free for 1 year now. Unfortunately, right after his treatments finished, my mother (his caregiver) passed suddenly from lung cancer. I know God never gives you more than you can handle, but I don't know how you people endure what you do. You are so brave.


Did it say you had tonsil cancer? What were your symptoms if you don't mid me asking?

Keep taking care of yourself.
Michelle

hey Dan,

go for it...

i have great respect for my rad doc, he blashed hell out of me and things seem to be just fine. somehow we seem to get thru those last few sessions and then, its behind us.

some humor- i was recently on travel and using the lotions supplied by the motel... the conditioner seemed to help my dry skin.. when i got home, wife says i smell good and asks what it is. later she's into my bathroom kit and gets out the conditioner... telling silly me that its for hair, not skin! oh well... hope it doesn't cause my beard to grow back

cu,
larryb

Daniel, good to know you are now very close to the end of your treatment. It is fairly common for the oncologist to add a few more rounds and in my case I had 6 more in addition to the original 42! I yelled when I heard about the increase and refused since my condition at that time was very bad. My oncologist insisted that I could make it through without much problem and he thought that the additional dose was necessary. He didn't mention anything about the survival rate being lengthened. Feel rather amazed at what your doctor talked about it. Did he tell you what your survival rate is after treatment, then? Curious to know.I just had my routine follow up yesterday and everything went well. I am at a ten-week interval for medical appointment. My oncologist has arranged a series of tests including MRI, CT scan and ultrasound that may probaly take place in 2 to 3 months' time as there are a lot of patients waiting for such tests and I am glad that I am not an urgent case.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Dan,
It sounds like you are really doing quite well. Your attitude has remained upbeat from start right up to this moment and it sounds like the IMRT has not really laid you too low. Keep up the good work!

Danny G.

Dan, glad to hear your doing well. You are being an inspiration for me now that I'll be getting radiation within the next week or so.Hang in there.

Congrats, Dan,

The end is in sight. You have really tolerated the therapy very well and I am happy for you. You are an inspiration to others here.
God Bless you
Judy U

I'm very happy for you Daniel. I had regular radiation but they were able to spare some salivary glands so my dry mouth is slowly going away! Four months out and I can eat bread again. I wish it could be like this for everyone on this board. Take care

Minnie
Stage 4 jaw cancer
one node positive
radiation to both sides of my neck, neck dissection and jaw removed.