CancerCompass message board discussion started by Ronald B. on 8/25/2003 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,757,0.htm Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi David, I'm hoping I can help you through with this, as I did the same thing as you, and wrote to this site. For one thing you have to keep in mind is that you need a positive attitude, and the belief in prayer! You're not going to let this cancer harm you. You will do what ever it takes to fight this disease. There is nothing to be afraid of, you have cancer, and you and your doctor are going to do what ever it takes to make you well. You have to remember that cancer is now apart of your life, and we will have to live with that, there's nothing we can do to change that, so we have to accept the challenge that god has given us, and go on with our lives. Don't let it rule your life, just accept that its coming along for the ride. Like I said no matter what always - POSITIVE ATTITUDE!! and PRAYER. It helped me through my ordeal, believe me. OK! Now I had two in and out procedures. One was to take out a tumor I had next to my tonsil and scope my lower throat area. Second was biopsy of my tonsil and part of my tongue. No problems with those procedures, actually hardly any pain, just a little sore. If it's just going to be the back of your tongue and throat, you shouldn't have too much to worry about. My doctor took a small part of the tongue in the back, and cleared a wide margin in my throat area; he had to stitch part of my throat because of the area of cancer and took a little more on one side. He didn't want me swallowing anything so my throat would heal properly. a G tube was inserted in my stomach and I had to use liquid feedings for about a month. Now for me I didn't have a lot of pain, since I couldn't swallow any water either I was given liquid Vicodin, all meds were liquid, So if you go through with this I don't think you should have any problems. You know, since I had a few more removals done to me, I was in the hospital for about five days, the day after surgery I was determined to get well and I started walking the floor. Since I was on liquids for about a little over a month then started on solid for the following three weeks in total about two months for me. Might be sooner for you if no G tube. To be honest I went through my surgeries pretty good on a scale from 1 to 10 my pain was about 4. About a month or so after my surgery, I started 33 days of radiation, for precaution, just in case we missed any cancer cells. I had radiation from one side neck behind the ear to the other side. My right side which where the cancer had been located was done with a stronger dose of radiation. So be prepared for sunburn type effect on your neck. I went through the first five weeks pretty much ok to where I worked construction right up to the sixth week, I took off work that last week because the burn on my right side had opened up, like a first or second degree burn so I didn't want to have it open to the air (dust etc). I used Alocane Emergency Room Burn Cream and let me tell you it really healed fast. You just have to take it off before radiation, It was bothersome but you just have to go with the flow and know were getting better. I lost my taste buds, could not taste anything, so I had to go back to my liquid diet again. Finished radiation June 30th and I got my taste buds back about 85% and started eating solid food again on Aug 17th. One think you will find is that sooner or later depression sets in, which is what happened to me, I finally gave in and told the doctor and he gave me Zoloft 100mg. After about two and a half weeks I came out of it, now I feel like a new man! Write me anytime David I'll help you get through this, God bless you and my prayers are with you, Ron P.S. Let me know how things are going. Ronald B. Mon, 25 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Thanks Ron, for the very positive reply! I know that you understand the anxieties, depression, inability to make decisions while under the stress of this thing is! Have been diagnosed once and am supposed to go to another ENT doctor this week for a second opinion. Was hoping to find a doctor that was leaning towards alternative treatments as well as conventional but guess there is no such thing in this area. Wanted them to consider the IMRT radiation at CTCA and the IPT Chemo treatments after surgery but only seems to frustrate them or even make them mad for me to mention this type of thing! I covet your prayers and will do the same for you! And very much appreciate the detailed description of your operation! Well, I am sure be wanting to contact you along with more questions, and if you think of anything else that would maybe be of help please contact me! Sincerely David D. David D. Mon, 25 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Ron! I Came Back! I had my operation on Thur Sept 18th! But first, let me tell you again thanks for your help before the op! It was a great comfort to me and was refered to several times. Probably didn't have to have as extensive and operation as you did, but from the way it is still hurting feels big. Had a piece under the back of my tonque and a piece just in the throat removed! Had been told beforehand that this was Squamous Cell about stage 2 or 3! And I fully expected to have to have radiation and maybe chemo! But--my surgeon, made the statement yesterday, at the first post op exam, the I would not need to have rad and chemo and as far as he was concerned that I had a complete cure! I had went for a second opinion and this doctor gave me a pet scan that was completely clean except for the expected area, a chest xray that was clean, lymph node exam that indicated nothing. So guess lots of the stuff that I did a couple of months along prior to the operation may have paid off, as well as my faith in GODS healing! Just wanted to let you know what happened and to thank you again for your much appreciated help at a time of great need for me! If you would like any more info about this just holler! Sincerelly, David D David D. Sat, 27 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT