On 6/30/2009
Artray wrote:
Amy,
Thanks again for the info...we'll just have to see what happens cuz right now he's doing so well, I'm holding my breath! So far, the swelling has not been too much of a problem and the past couple of days he's done some real physical work around the yard too!
I hope you get some answers soon as to the epiglottis problem...is it something that they don't run into too often?
We are enjoying the next few days as Monday is the surgery and I'll let you know how it turns out...
Wishing you a good 4th of July!
Jeani
Amy,
I live close to Boston and i was diagnosed with tonsil cancer which effected my lymph nodes on the R.H. side. The first thing they did was to remove both tonsils, this was the worst part of my treatment so far. For two weeks when ever i swallowed just about anything it felt like acid going down my throat. Thank god i do not have to go through that again.
Next the tumor board recommended radical neck dicection first the scans show only one hot lymp. Once i was opened up they tookout twenty three lymph nods and one tested positive. The problem was the one positive lymph was 3-4 centimeters in diameter, it could not be seen on the scans is because it was in the fat & shoulder muscle. They removed the jugular vein and scrapped as much as they could. The pain was controlled very well through pain medications. Even thought my tongue was not involved in the surgery the nerve damage caused a slite swelling. The swelling causes my problems talking, chewing and swallowing. Not a big deal, i have adgusted to it. My biggest problem right now is exhaustion. When I go to Boston once a week or if i do alot of activity in one day i am exhausted the next day. I will end up sleeping most of the next day.
I will be starting chemo & radiation on 7/13/09 for six -seven weeks. Chemo on Monday only and radiation Monday through Friday. I wil have to drive 75 miles each way every day, i don't think that will do my exhaustion very much. Especially after the second week on.
I have a very positive attitude to beat this monster even though i am a little anxious regarding the start of the Chemo & radiation. Due to my positive attitude i know i will deal with this treatment.
What i have noticed due to my positive attitude it has made it alot easier for my wife, family and friends to deal with my cancer. In fact my wife calls me Cancer Boy. It is easier to laugh about it than to sit around thinking why me. This is not to say i have not had a couple teary moments, which i feel helped me clear my mind.
By the way i was diagnosed 3/9/09 and i am 62 yrs old. I hoped my rambling has helped and not bored you to tears.
Rick