| | 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 | If you are able to complete the rad Tx without the help of anyone and are able to care for your husband you would probably be in the top 1%, if that, of people who were able to do that. I have no idea what the effects of radiation to the colon area are but I do know how tough it is on the vast majority of us that had it in the Head and Neck region.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | I would recoomend that you line someone to drive you to your later treatments. After about week 3-4 you may not want to drive as this is about as bad as RAD can be. The H&N radiation is very hard on most, I could have driven myself until mid-way thru week 6 which was the hardest for me. Good Luck in your WAR. Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Ruby
Have you talked to family members yet about helping you thru this? I know you talked with someone at the cancer society, but they werent very helpful as they werent familiar with oral cancer. Did you try again to call to talk with someone else about helping with transportation and meds? Have you asked at where you are being treated about a visiting nurse or home health aid?
I do know how difficult this is to get thru, I had very little help. My teenaged son drove me to appointments and the drug store. He also did the grocery shopping as I didnt want to be out with my immune system being low. I just couldnt risk picking up something else when I was so weak. Other than that, I was on my own and I stayed in bed almost all the time. I dont want to make you afraid of treatment, just trying to let you know its hard to do by yourself. Please keep posting and asking questions so your new 'family' here at OCF can help you.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | |
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