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Symptoms of stage 4 lung cancer - diagnosed 1 month ago
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Mar 24 1:38pm | Replies (69)Comment receiving replies
Good evening
Yes I gargle and rinse twice. I make sureit's for at least 30 seconds on each.
My journey started September 27th. I finally was taking time out from taking care of everyone and attend to my health issue. I had put off back surgery for at least 5 yrs. I'd reached the point that walking was not an option for shopping. We cruise often and I could no longer leave the ship. Standing firm I was going to get my surgery. The surgeon requested the usual prior to my surgery a blood test and chest X-ray. I received a call from my primary five days before our cruise that I needed a CAT scan due to seeing a mass on the X-ray. The scan came back confirming the mass. I opted to go to Mayo Clinic for my care. To date I've had 3 biopsies which have all returned with not enough tissue. Besides the mass in the upper left lung one lymph node is involved by the esophagas making surgery impossible. Monday I start proton therapy and like I said Tuesday chemo. I can do all the discomfort, and illness but for me it's.....my hair. Kudos to all the women who made and will make the sacrifice of their hair. Not sure how I will get through this step!
Linda
Replies to "Good evening Yes I gargle and rinse twice. I make sureit's for at least 30 seconds..."
Hi @benz76, I’m hoping that you’ll get to cruise again once you get through treatment! I’ve been on several cruises and always want to go back.
If that lymph node is placing pressure on the esophagus, that may be contributing to your hoarseness. With the upcoming proton therapy, it may take some time to see relief, but there may be hope long term that your voice will return to full force. When I was diagnosed I was still working, and had to stop leading meetings because I could not talk without spasms and a hoarseness to my voice. The lymph nodes in my chest were the cause.
Here is an article regarding ‘cold caps’ . I’m not sure if you have time to look into this before you start treatment.
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Cold cap therapy can reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-cold-cap-therapy-can-reduce-hair-loss-caused-by-chemotherapy-1/
- A related discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemo-cold-cap/
Has your oncologist talked about your specific chemo and dose, have they told you to expect hair loss?
I feel your pain…I am in active hair loss as we speak. It’s so bad now, today is the day Im going to have to just take it all down. I’ve always had very long, very thick hair. Ive always been known as the girl with the hair lol. I recently had it cut short, in preparation for this day hoping it would be a little less traumatic, but not really.
Here we go…..😩
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Bless you. I feel your anguish over your hair. Menopause and old age is robbing me of mine and I know that at some point in the near future I need to get over it and get a good wig. So I feel for you. I will send good Juju your way and wish you best of luck. 🍀