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Head & neck radiation side effects continue, especially swelling
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Sep 17 9:00am | Replies (30)Comment receiving replies
Hi, I had HPV P16 Positive Head and Neck cancer diagnosed on 10 Jan 2017 based on the radiologist
results after I had 31 lymph nodes removed. Two where positive and fortunately for me the cancer
remained in those nodes and didn't spread. That being said, I began my 30 day regiment of radiation
treatment on 27 Jan 2017 with the last 2 doses were given on the same day, 6hrs apart, 26 March, 2017.
Bottom line, everyday was an experience that I had been told COULD HAPPEN but my doctors would NEVER say this is WHAT WILL HAPPEN. I apologize for the bold bluntness of my wording BUT the medical experts
can only comment on what potentially could happen to organs/blood etc. I believe when it comes to how high the dosage of radiation that was applied and how it will affect each individual, they have no idea. I believe,
as a trained psychologist, the doctors always give positive feedback so that you don't give up.
From my research, it seems like EVERY TYPE of cancer has its own individual issues based on each person.
I never feel like I am "Cancer Free" nor a 100% "Cancer Survivor" after 5 plus yrs because the medical folks
are using scientific data and not my genetic data etc. All research is based on subjective input from patients
and KNOWN survivability rates. If we could talk to each individual used in collecting the data, we would be better informed of each specific experience they had but that is impossible. I truly hope and pray you find, with time, life will get better. I still deal with throat, voice issues, numbness/no feeling in my right cheek, loss 7 teeth on my lower right jaw and my taste buds have changed for everything I eat. On feeding tube for 5 months, it needed to be replaced twice because of infection. I wanted it out so they did it. Resulting in a loss of weight from 206 to 145 libs but have regained 12 libs since surgery. I hope I have helped you with your issues. For me , I turn to GOD both on the good and bad days. I know it will be a life long challenge but I am alive and that is all that matters. God Bless!
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Thank you for reminding me to let me myself trust more in God.
Right now I am going through a real depression period. I can't hear out of my left ear so sounds are distorted which affects how I communicate and even though I have 3 different meds for depression from before I stopped taking them all during treatment. I don't see how starting them up again could help me now. One was to help me sleep, well I sleep ok. One was for anxiety Wellbutrin, I don't feel as anxious now as I used to it's almost like "oh come-on what else can you throw at me now". The other was prescribed for pain control "osteoarthritis , fibromyalgia". Well I am taking a small amount of pain meds so don't want to add to that either.
Thing is I don't have anyone to talk to about these kinds of things except for you good folks. My spouse is just waiting for me to "get well" and doesn't want to hear about anything cancer related at all.
One bright spot coming up for me is the docs will be removing the trache tube from my neck next week. I am so thankful for that. I understood the need but really dislike the thing. Next up once I can get myself to eat again, no appetite at all and still have lockjaw, will be the feeding tube. Small things granted but good things to look forward to.
But back to God, he's never far from my thoughts I try and stay thankful for the smallest of things sometimes it's more difficult but I see him in all Creation.
Thanks for listening