Viet-Nam Vet Diagnosed With Scc On 10-23-05

My throat started to hurt mid July 05. Went to Dr., he says take these, it'll go away. Never went away. Went to another Dr. He says well it could be cancer. Finally went to VA ENT. VA sends me to VA Hospital. Stage 4a. They want to pull all my teeth out radiate and chemo for seven weeks. Any ideas anybody on how to deal with this? Thanks, Mike

I'm a vet that has experienced the same type of cancer. You need to proceed and get the treatment. It will work out. I'm dealing with the VA for compensation. It is a uphil battle. Good luck. Please stay in touch and I'll do the same.

Hello, you went through it? And survived. I've been doing alternative stuff like ozone therapy and the Rife machine for the last two weeks. The VA has been on my case about it, cuz they want to proceed ASAP. I've been a strict vegan since starting the alternative treatment, drinking lot's of water and juiceing. What do you think? I heard horror stories about treatment for cancer with the AMA style, and have lost a mom and a stepmom to chemo and radiation.

I'm not a vet, but I am a 50 year old woman who just had my tonsils out in April and there was cancer on the left side. I just finished 36 Radiation treatment and 12 Chemo treatmenst (once aweek for three weeks and then wait for my blood to get good enough- about six weeks and then do another set of three treatment until I got all 12 of them). I have a male friend who also had this throat cancer and treatment and is now cancer free. His brother also had the same cancer and radation/Chemo and he has been cancer free for over 10 years.

Hello, thanks for writing back. I've been doing alternative stuff since diagnosis. Ozone therapy and Rife machine. I'm losing weight, scary. I'm juiceing and drinking greens, bunches. I would be interested in how your friends did it, and you how are you? Did they do a neck dissection and/or how did that come out? What kind of chemo? I'm curious as to how you feel. Thanks, michael

Dear Michael,

I did not have a neck dissection, but I had my toncils out and the left one was cancer. So I did radiation. When the doctor did a Cat scan. the saw a mass in my neck, about 5,6 cm., so they suggested the chemo. I did the radiation for 36 treatments and the chemo for 12. I finished about 6 weeks ago so I still have trouble swallowing, but I am able to eat oatmeal and noodles -soft stuff besides drinking the nutritional drinks that you can buy at the drug store. I drink 3 to 4 aday the have 350 calories in each 8 oz can. For a while I was ordering cases of carnation instant breakfast drinks that were 560 calories a can.

Now my friend Pete who had a dissection of his throat and they found the cancer on the back of his throat and his lymph node in his neck - also had the chemo and radiation. He is doing well and has been cancer free for six mouths.

I just had a cat scan and it was improved but it is still to early to tell. I had taxol for chemo and sispatin (not sure of the spelling)

I have to tell you it was a pretty scary time during treatment, I would do it again if I had too. I can't tell you what to do I just can which and hope the best for you. I have also been writing to angie in this forum. Please look it up. I gave her some tips on the kind of meds that I took while taking the treatments.
If there is anything else I can do just ask. It may take a day or two for me to check my mail now that I have gone back to work. I was off work for 6 months during treatment. Also, you might try googling throat cancer on the web - I found a couple of people who kept diaries of there Radiation/Chemo treatment - and they made it through fine. It helped me. If I can I will find the sites and send them to you thru this forum. Later
Betty D.

Dear Michael, I am not sure how I sent you the message twice. Sorry about that, but the lady named Angies Message Board Discussions are on
Tonsil Cancer and Effects of Radiation - I hope that help you find it. She has not had treatment yet and is asking alot of question.

Betty D.

Micheal, One more message before I leave you alone. I sent this one to Angie and I thought you might be interested.

I just found one of the booklets on "You during Cancer Treatment" and the one that I got for dealing with your mind and body after treatment. There are other booklets that I do not have that can be ordered. The books are from the National Cance Institue Public and Survivor Education Section. Office of Education and Special Initiatives, 611 Executive Blvd., Suite 202, MSC-9692, Bethesda, MD 20814-9692
The number to call to requst booklets is: 1-800-4-CANCER - I hope this helps.

Betty

Hi Betty, thanks for getting back with me again. Really do appreciate it!! Wow, what good info, thanks, Michael. will now peruse google. Have a good evening!

Dear Mike,
Look up www.drday.com that should give hope.
I have done the juiceing, and dr day gives you lots of info.
Good luck, God bless
Arlene