#57233 10-28-2005 08:45 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 | Hi! I'm a survivor who suffers from cobalt side-effects from 1989. I did treatments in both sides of the face and neck, and problems in speaking. What can I do for this forum?  | | |
#57234 10-28-2005 07:01 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Hi Eugenia and welcome to the forum. You are the first that I am aware of that had Cobalt 60 treatment. Tell us all about your experience.
Note: Cobalt 60 was the first mainstream method of radiation therapy and used radioactive cobalt for the source. As it lost energy, they would increase the exposure time and it could cause serious and permanent skin damage due to the "dark" radiation effect (Not found as much with ionzing radation). Some countries still use Cobalt 60, but is has been largely replaced by ionizing radiation machines or LINAC's (linear particle beam accelerator).
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#57235 10-29-2005 11:08 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 | My experience was and still hard, but I prefer to think positive: I'm alive for 16 years:p | | |
#57236 10-29-2005 12:49 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Welcome Eugenia
As a sixteen years survivor, you have aleady given us encouragement by posting. We would like to read about your journey.
Love from Helen
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#57237 10-29-2005 01:31 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Hi, Eugenia-you have my mother's name. It's very nice to meet you. Being a 16 yr suvivor is great news. Please share your history. amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#57238 10-29-2005 04:21 PM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 | Dear friends, I've some problens in express myself in English... you know.. my native language is Portuguese.. but I'll try! :p In 1989, cancer arrived once again to my family: My grand-father, the father of my father, and I had cancer. I'm an only child, as you can believe for my father was a hell! They detected my cancer in June and my grand-father cancer in September. I did radioterapy during 3 months, my grand-father did chemoterapy. He died in February 1990. But I'm in remission since xmas 1989! :p THERE ARE PATIENTS, NOT DISEASES!  Since then.. more two relatives died with cancer.. I'm still alive! | | |
#57239 10-29-2005 04:51 PM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 | My story - part II When cancer apeared in my life, I was 19 years and I was in the secondary school. Doctors gave me 10% probability of hope to remove cancer. I told doctor that I would win that war! To have and to survive of cancer it's a dailly war. Everyday is a battle! Side-effects in skin and voice appeared right now.. as i told in my first post. Since Xmas 1989 till now, I did a lot of things: I went to university and I did 2 degrees and 2 specializations. I'm a secretary since 1990. Since 1989, side-effects have been increasing. Firstly were the burn in my skin, then the voice, after started problems in my hearings. I've loosing the capacity of listen. I did 2 hearing surgeries, the last one was last June. Doctor put me 2 gold tubes in my hearings.. so I'm more rich... lol  I also have osteoporosys.. so I live with daily pains in the bones. Today I'm 35 years and I have just 3 fears: loosing my parents, my hubby and my job! Cancer? Side-effects? Well... I will always survive! I bet! | | |
#57240 10-29-2005 04:57 PM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6 | My story - Part III Today, despite de dailly pains, I do a normal life: I work and I do gym. Exercise have improved my quality of life: My voice are much better, the pains in my bones are lower, and I feel better with myself. But, the most important thing is NEVER GIVE UP! Well, this is my story! | | |
#57241 10-30-2005 01:09 AM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 325 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 325 | Eugenia,
It sounds like you have been through a lot, but have come through it with courage and humour intact. Thank you for posting your story, it is an inspiration to us all.
Andrea
SCC L lat tongue,Dx 9/15/05 T1N0MX L MND and L lateral hemiglossectomy 10/03/05. Recurrence 11/15/06 2nd surgery 12/04/06 hemiglossectomy 3rd surgery 01/15/07 tonsillectomy Radiation 01/25/07 to 03/08/07 3-D/CRT X 30
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#57242 10-30-2005 05:53 AM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 156 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 156 | well geni,you done very well in exspressing yourself i knew you would . they are some wonderful people here gen who will try and help you with your anxietys if any arise im so pleased you joined the site.and you are an inspiration to us all hugs....best regards ...maz | | |
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