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My certificate says: Certificate Of Merit

For completeion of the prescribed course of Radiation Therapy with the highest degree of Courage, Determination and Good Nature. We appreciate the confidence placed in us and the oppertunity to serve you!

I am so glad I have finished my treatments but I won't know if it has worked until later. My question is if there is anything I should not do as far as getting other other medical problems done. My RO told me I could go ahead and get the bone fixed in my mouth but it sure seems a little soon.

Thanks to all of you for helping me through this tough process of Chemo and Radiation. Angel


SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.
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That's cute.


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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My RO had alot of restrictions with regard to work being done in the mouth - no dental work for at least 3 and preferably 6 months, etc. I would double check with him on the timing of further work.

Congrats on finishing radiation - cute certificate!

Donna


Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
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Congrats on finishing your treatments.

Dental work may require hyperbaric oxygen treatments (HBO). Ask you dentist/doctor about it.



Christine
SCC 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 smile
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congratulations! now, remember it's baby steps...not day to day but rather week to week you'll notice improvements


7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
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As always it is wonderful to hear great news... time to "do the dance"...


Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
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Let the healing begin!

I have a few suggestions:

1. Be on the lookout for thrush and get on it early.

2. Stay away from sick people, especially children. Your immune system will be toast for quite a while. Stay away from public places, don't touch door handles, public digital key pads (ATM's gas stationes, etc., shopping cart handles and carry waterless hand cleaner with you if you do. Wash your hands frequently. Wear gloves

3. DON'T SCRATCH the irradiated area!

4. Make sure you have plenty of fiber in your diet if you are still on narcotics.

5. Stay on top of nutrition and fluid intake.

6. Experiment with eating different foods orally as soon as you can. Don't be discouraged - you will get your sense of taste back fairly quickly.

7. Mucositus is a toughy but all of a sudden it will diminish - be patient there as well. Sleep slightly elevated and try to clear your throat before attempting to eat anything.

The radiation damage will continue for some weeks after "beam off". I didn't start to turn the corner until many weeks after beam off and I actually continued to slide downhill. It requires even more patience because many think that the end of radiation is the turning point. It is a milestone to be sure, but the real perceptible differences and progress will be measured in three week intervals at this early stage. Don't let this discourage you - just be aware that this comes with the territory and is normal.

Congratulations on completing all of your prescribed treatment plan. According to my MO that ups your survival odds considerably.


Last edited by Gary; 12-11-2008 04:32 PM.

Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
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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Awesome that you're done and no more putting on the mask! Ditto a lot of Gary's comments. Now let the healing begin and know that it's going to take a while to get the radiation out of your system.


Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
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Congratulations on finishing!

Regarding the dentist: My husband's last rad was on October 20 and he went for a dental cleaning on Monday (seven weeks out). While it was a bit uncomfortable, he's glad he went because he already has two small cavities. The dentist said that the mucositis, lack of saliva and especially the thrush he had in September all made those two cavities highly likely.

The next few weeks are probably going to be pretty rough, but you will get through! You will probably be very tired. Take it easy on yourself as much as you are able.


Caregiver to husband, 44, nonsmoker, nondrinker
Diagnosed 7/15/08 with BOT SCC, stage IVa.
Two positive nodes removed
Cisplatin and erbitux ended 10/15/08
Radiation over 10/20/08
Back to work 11/24/08
PEG out 12/9/08
Scans 12/2008 and 3/2009 Clear
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You all are a great bunch of folks. I am glad you've given me all the info to remember as I do have a tendency to forget some of these very important things and some of them I didn't even know (thanks Gary). I like to have got in trouble already with getting dehydrated and my lack of eating but I have got a better hold on that and am feeling better. It is so easy to forget to get enough nourishment down when it has been so long since you have eaten. I am keeping up the water, ensure, grape juice and gravey. God Bless you all! Angel


SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.

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