#4944 02-02-2005 04:17 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 64 | I just finished reading the sad posts from Charm and Swati and feel guilty sharing that my husband, Jack, had clear scans in the report we got. What a blessing! We are so thankful! He had clear scans after his first two bouts with SCC also, so we know things can change. This is another chance to be in remission though.
He has been infection free now for almost 3 weeks also. Maybe that bug has finally been whipped. The low platelets are also behaving themselves. It is almost too much good news.
He had to have his feeding tube replaced last week when one of his meds plugged it. He was running low on the liquid form and thought he'd crush a pill. He had switched to the liquid form because this pill had almost plugged the tube for a nurse in the hospital. She called the pharmaacy and they found a liquid form. Is there any reference that tells about the solubility of drugs and/or which ones come in a liquid form? I was going to ask the pharmacist at the drugstore, but she was super busy during my last trip to get refills. | | |
#4945 02-02-2005 04:57 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 | Lowann, glad to hear about the clear scan, that's a great feelling, isn't it. As far as the solubilit issue goes, I think the big blue Physician's Desk Reference might have some information, I would suspect that solubility is a pretty standard test for drugs in pill form. Glad your husband is feeling better.
Bob
SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
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#4946 02-02-2005 05:09 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 64 | Thanks Bob. That is probably one to try. I saw the oncology nurse with one the other day when Jack was given a new script.
Some place in the postings I saw a web address for a site that describes the TMN notation for describing the cancer. I was in a hurry when I saw it and now I can't find it. Even after 2 years of being on this site there is so much I don't know.
Lowanne | | |
#4947 02-03-2005 02:00 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Lowanne, glad you and Jack got such good news. They are among the nicest in the language, clean scans. When I had my peg, I also had it plugged on numerous occasions. I found that Pepsi helped unclog it, I think due to the soda action. I also used baking soda/water mix which worked once when Pepsi didn't make it. On one occasion, I waited about 24 hours and really had to work it to get it cleared. That was a time when I tried to get a metamusal capsule to go through the tube. Bad idea. However, we always got it unplugged. Sorry Jack had to have his replaced.
Re: the TMN site, I think it is in the news section of this site, about a year ago or so. Try looking there. I know its on the site, like you I can't remember exactly where I saw it. If you still can't find it, ask the doctor at Jack's next appointment. Most of them will be able to help you reidentify his TMN.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#4948 02-03-2005 10:41 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Lowanne, Glad to hear Jack's latest news. I know the past year has been so difficult for you folks and I am so happy everything is going well now. Tell Jack hey from me and give that man a great big hug!! I hope this year is the absolute best of your lives! You can find the staging info on this website or: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/head-and-neck.pdf if interested. If you follow this link, go to page 3 and look on the left side of the page for a staging link. The liquid meds I know of are available for pain, Diflucan for thrush, Robitussin (for guafenisen) to loosen up the thick goo in the throat. Your pharmacist is probably the best source for you. You can get a mortar/pestil and grind them as fine as possible and it may help. Good to hear from you and especially the great news. Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#4949 02-04-2005 07:02 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hello Lowanne,
So glad to hear the good news!!! "Clear Scans"
Hoping you and Jack continue to enjoy your post cancer life.
When I used the peg I was always told to flush the peg with my 2oz. syringe using water or juice to clear the line. I had one in for seven months with no problems.
From one cheese head to another "Way To Go!!!!"
Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#4950 02-04-2005 10:28 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I suppose y'all know about using Coke or cranberry juice to unclog it, too?
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#4951 02-04-2005 11:04 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | I was also told to try warm water, but I found most of my meds were available in liquid form!
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#4952 02-06-2005 10:52 AM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 | Lowanne,
When writing a new prescription, I would sometimes have to remind the doctor to write it for the liquid form. They sometimes had to look to see if it was available in liquid. My best source was my pharmacist. And I found that going to a small independent pharmacy was the best because they could usually mix almost anything in a liquid suspension, even if it didn't come from the manufacturer in a liquid. If they couldn't, they knew of a viable substitute. Lots of the pharmacists working in the chain pharmacies couldn't mix a suspension. If the med didn't come in liquid form, they were clueless. I think there are different levels of pharmacists and they can't all do the same things.
We did have to crush some meds for the tube, but as long as I crushed them superfine and mixed with some warm water, then flushed the tube immediately, we usually didn't have a problem. Be careful, though, some meds can't be crushed. Anything that is time-released can not be crushed. Again, your pharmacist will know what can be crushed and what can't.
We had cipro, clindamycin(sp?) and various other antibiotics, reglan, vioxx, colace, oxycontin and even zoloft in liquid form. As for what is available in liquid, you can check drugstore.com's website. They might not have everything listed, but I found quite a few just in a quick browse. Once on the main site, I clicked the pharmacy tab, then typed a medicine name in the search field. You can also browse alphabetically. When you click on the med's name, you will get a listing of available forms and strengths. The liquids will be listed as a concentrate or suspension.
Rosie
Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.
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#4953 02-17-2005 03:09 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 64 | Thanks for all the good advise. We hve a motar and pestal, pill crusher and have also used the grinder for coffee beans. Some stuff even when ground seems to clump instead of dissolving or going into suspension. Rosie, I am glad to know that Cipro can be purchased in oral form. It is a hard one to grind fine enough. Jack takes it 6 days a month to ward off the pseudomonas bacteria.
His feeding tube is pretty easy to replace. It takes about 10 minutes. When they did it the last time, they didn't even use any numbing. Jack didn't want to wait around the extra few minutes.
You guys are the greatest...so many good ideas.
Lowanne | | |
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