| | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 | Hey there. You said you wanted to know so here goes. Went to oncologist yesterday w/Mom b/c they want to do a chemo/rad combo to hopefully prevent another recurrence. He basically gave her a choice between Cisplatin (sp?) and Erbitux. Told her to think about it while he analyzed blood sample, gathered test results and talked w/her other docs and then they get together again May 8 to decide which way to go. They want to coordinate this w/the radiation which I believe will start May 11th. I know so many of you have had experience with both of these. Any recommendations? I think so far, Mom is leaning towards the Cisplatin which he said he would administer in lower doses of 1 per week for 7 weeks. Thanks again for everyone's support - ya'll are great!!!
CG/Mom: 5 1/2 years SCC upper palate,4 recurrences, surgeries, chemo & radiation. Mom went to Heaven 1/21/11.
| | | | | 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 | I had the 3 larger doses of Cisplatin and it was tough, especially the last 2 but having talked to many that have gotten the weekly smaller doses, they do not seem near the severe reactions as I did.
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: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I HAd the Erbitux with the rads and it wasn't too rough until about week 3. THis was after they removed all of my teeth. Then we had fun and still are. It is as tough right now as it has been with n o letup. I had rad seed implants in my tongue too which makes it the tough road .
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 489 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 489 | I had the Erbitux with the radiation and seemed to have good results. I do not have a recurrence of cancer in the areas that we treated. It recurred in a new area in my neck. Patty
48
SCC Floor of Mouth 7/06
9/06 Surgery, bilateral neck dissection, 58 nodes clear PT2pN0pMx
35 rad 2006
Recurred 6/08, 1 Carboplatin, 1 Cisplatin
Surgery 9/08 - Total glossectomy, free flap from pectoral muscle, left mandible replaced using fibula
35 IMRT & Erbitux 11/08
4/15/09 recurrence
6/1/09 passed away, rest in peace
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 | So far she is leaning towards the Cisplatin in the smaller 7-week treatments. Doc said the three big treatments would most likely put her in the hospital during the last two. Dave, those three big treatments sound like whoppers to me but I'm glad you're doing well. Still riding that bike? Jim, rad seed implants in your tongue - sounds like that was definitely not good. I know what my mom went through w/rad treatments in her mouth!
CG/Mom: 5 1/2 years SCC upper palate,4 recurrences, surgeries, chemo & radiation. Mom went to Heaven 1/21/11.
| | | | | 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 | My riding takes a hit during Tax Season and our brutal winter down here in south Florida. Remember anything below 60 is down right cruel to me. But now I'm slowly getting back into the saddle.
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: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | This, and the Fall, are the good times of year in Florida! The Snowbirds are moving North, so the State Parks and esp Ft DeSoto actually have campsites open!
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 | How can you have a "brutal" winter in SOUTH FLORIDA??? I don't consider Virginia as having brutal winters but it goes down into the teens once in awhile--fortunately not too often :o) 70s sounds good to me! Take care and keep WARM. Nancy T
CG/Mom: 5 1/2 years SCC upper palate,4 recurrences, surgeries, chemo & radiation. Mom went to Heaven 1/21/11.
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