#74150 05-10-2008 12:20 AM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 24 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 24 | I am beginning to hate my birthday. 2007 around my birthday produced the initial cancer diagnosis. After going through hell all summer, it seemed that the cancer was whipped and recovery was on its way. 2008 around my birthday the ENT told me the cancer was back at the back of my throat. 35 more radiation treatments, along with 8 weeks of simoultaneuous chemo.
It is harder this time because I know what is coming and I don't have all the reserves I had last year.
We will get through this. I still have confidence in my doctors and my wife is an angel.
Thank god the ENT wanted to see the back of my throat. He couldn't because of the mucous covering it, so he put me in the OR to remove the mucous and see what he could see. It wasn't good. I think he suspected a reoccurance. The good news is that the cat scan in January was negative, so this is probably and hopefully early.
SCC lf tonsil. Tx started 03/07/07,39 rads,8 docetaxel & 4 bevacizumab. Re-occured 02/19/08 back of throat. Tx35 rads 8 chemo. Tx started 05/05/08. PEG re-inserted April,2007.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Let me get this straight...you had 39 rads and now they are prescribing another 35 and all to the throat area?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Pete, Don't hate Birthdays, it means you are still here.Can you please update your signature- it's confusing to figure out exactly where you are in tx. at this point. Wishing you well. Amy in the Ozarks
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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| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1 Member | | Member
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1 | hI. Im new to the forum, I read your posting.I am free at present , after 3 years. HPV stage 3 at the time, chemo, rad.sepsis, feeding tube, horrible shit. Do you have any idea or info about why the reoccurence? Was there a suspected reinfection? Any help will do, | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 24 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 24 | David, you sound surprised at the additional radiation. My doctors all assure me that it is OK because more than six months has passed since the first go round. The tonsil was not removed, just radiated. Also, this round of radiation is more focused on the cancer, not as general in scope as the first time.
Since the cancer is in the back of the throat where the skin is thin, the spinal column is close, they state surgery is a very last resort. Especially, since to get to the spot, the ENT says part of the jaw bone would have to be removed.
No idea as to why the reoccurence, just one of the lucky ones I guess.
SCC lf tonsil. Tx started 03/07/07,39 rads,8 docetaxel & 4 bevacizumab. Re-occured 02/19/08 back of throat. Tx35 rads 8 chemo. Tx started 05/05/08. PEG re-inserted April,2007.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Pete I am very surprised if, in fact, they will be re radiating some of the same areas, 6 months passing or not. Now granted I'm coming up on 2 years since my Tx plan was determined but I was told by my RO at Moffitt who also has been published on IMRT, that he hoped I didn't have a re occurrence because he could not radiate me again, period. Now since that time a few on this site have discussed additional radiation but not to the extent of what you said. I'm sure all this depends on how much you received the first time but seeing 39 rads it's hard to believe you didn't get the full dose. Obviously I hope the science has evolved to the point that additional radiation is determined to be safe so I hope you can shed some light here.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 24 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 24 | When I meet with my RO this week I will ask those questions. My team of oncologists, RO, CO, & ENT have presented papers on there treatment plans at national symposiums. Now, while I understand, that papers are not foolproof, apparently little or no oppostion has come forward.
SCC lf tonsil. Tx started 03/07/07,39 rads,8 docetaxel & 4 bevacizumab. Re-occured 02/19/08 back of throat. Tx35 rads 8 chemo. Tx started 05/05/08. PEG re-inserted April,2007.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Sounds promising so please keep this site posted on all the particulars.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Colt,
You should start your own thread if you want answers to your questions as they will get buried in someone else's thread.
Also please post without using words that might offend.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 104 | Pete & Dave, my daughter Christa (Jordan user name here) was started on her second round of Radiation at the U of Chicago. We were told not many places do second rounds commonly, but they do and I know MD Anderson would have also. We were seriously told of many side effects/dangers associated with it's use, but ultimately given the situation it was a welcomed option to have any treatment available.
Jordan's Mom. Linda
She fought the fight with courage, hope and dedication. Ten months of battling tongue cancer. They thought they had it after each treatment. Not to be. Christa died at 32 y/o in Nov. '07.
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