Update And Request

Hello Again,

I just joined this site  yesterday evening and it has been a blessing.  

I am the one that has the son-in-law that has right tonsil and lymph node cancer that just finished chemo and 30 sessions of radiation 5 weeks ago.

I mentioned in my last post that his tumor had returned in the same tonsil and was sore to the touch.  We were afraid that the treatments had totally failed after all he has been through and new or more treatment would be ordered and have to start over.  Much to our surprize the doctor worked him in for an appt  this morning and thinks he only has an infection in the tonsil because the area is really soft and not hard like before.  He ordered an antibiotic for 14 days along with blood work and to follow up with the P.E.T. scan at the end of this month. 

I can't express the relief we feel and hope and pray this diagnosis is correct.

He has just about every side effect that I have read on this site and has lost over 40 pounds.  All he can consume is Ensure and only 2 per day.  He has tried everything from blended foods, baby foods, jello and pudding.  Nothing will stay down. 

 We were not aware there were liquid vitamins until I read it last night and tonight I have read numerous posts trying to find it and now can't find ANY pertaining to the subject.  That is why I have added a new post for the name and location to get them.  I would be so greatful if someone could help.

We would be more than happy to answer any questions that someone may have regarding the before, during, after symptoms and treatment details that he has been through.

Love and prayers to each and everyone of you!!!

Annette

On 1/22/2008 lavendercat wrote:

Hello Again,

I just joined this site  yesterday evening and it has been a blessing.  

I
am the one that has the son-in-law
that has right tonsil and lymph node cancer that just
finished chemo and 30 sessions of radiation 5 weeks ago.

I
mentioned in my last post that his tumor had returned in the
same tonsil and was sore to the touch.  We were afraid
that the treatments had totally failed after all he has been through
and new or more treatment would be ordered and have to start
over.  Much to our surprize the doctor worked him in for
an appt  this morning and thinks he only has an infection in the
tonsil because the area is really soft and not hard like before. 
He ordered an antibiotic for 14 days along with blood work
and to follow up with the P.E.T. scan at the end of this
month. 

I can't express the relief we feel and hope and pray this diagnosis is correct.

He
has just about every side effect that I have read on this site and has
lost over 40 pounds.  All he can consume is Ensure and only
2 per day.  He has tried everything from blended foods, baby
foods, jello and pudding.  Nothing will stay down. 

 We
were not aware there were liquid vitamins until I read it last night
and tonight I have read numerous posts trying to find it and now
can't find ANY pertaining to the subject.  That is why I have
added a new post for the name and location to get them.  I would
be so greatful if someone could help.

We would
be more than happy to answer any questions that someone may have
regarding the before, during, after symptoms and treatment details that
he has been through.

Love and prayers to each and everyone of you!!!

Annette

Hi Annette, 

Make
sure that hope springs eternal .... a positive outlook will go along
way in helping your son in law get through this ordeal. I am also a
right tonsil one Lymph node T3 involved patient. I am currently
approaching my one year anniversary and am hopeful all is well. My
advice is to look at each small step forward as that ... you are moving
forward. Recovery doesn't happen overnite and the side efffects wear
off slowly. Taste and saliva return at different rates and at different
levels for each of us that has gone through this. In the best cases the
lingering side effects are minimal. and short lived, For some the
physical recovery takes longer, but for all of us it is the emotional
recovery that is the most challenging. One thing for sure, it is better
to be on this side (after treatment) than the time before it all
started.

In regards to liquid vitamins, I used something called
"Liquidmax Complete Nutrition" available at Costco. Should Costco not
be accessible to you most major health food stores have a liquid
vitamin brand. I like the Liquid Max because it has alot of trace
minerals and natural juices aside from the basic vitamin compilations
of most other brands. He might want to try taking chelated zinc to help
his tastebuds recover faster.

I wish your son in law godspeed through this recovery period, he
needs to remember to keep on moving forward and if I can help in any
other way  please don't hesitate. 

Matt