topic Head and neck cancer in Treatments and side effects

Head and neck cancer

rarbie — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:35:14 GMT

Hello cancer peoples! I start radiotherapy today - 40 fractions! I also am off to a 5 day cancer retreat in the foothills of Perth -called Balya. I have finished up my work, so will post here more regularly as of next week when back from 'cancer camp!' Take care and be gentle with yourself everyone -this is somthing I amonly beginning to learn to do well personally. 🙂 P.S. I hope it is ok to post on this site (coz I live in Perth) as WA doesn't have an online forum through our cancer council??

Head and neck cancer

rarbie — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:08:14 GMT

Hi Gaffo Its been a while since I've visitted this site. I am so glad you are a red head too! I am 3 weeks into a 4 month trip around Australia. After treatment ended I just wanted to get as far away from the cancer centre and hospital as I could. Now I am away-I am missing home and part of me wants to go home. Tday i read back over my posts and couldn't believe that the story I was reading was mine. I think cancer puts your mind into such state of shock that its not til afterwards til you realise what you've been through. I hope the cream effudex was helpful for you and that you remain free of the nasties. I am now in limbo until late Sept when I have a scan to see what/if there is any cancer in my head/neck. I am wishing for a clear scan. They can't scan for 4-5 months after radiotherapy coz they don't get clear images. I am trying not to worry about heading back to Perth for the scan-but it is is hard sometimes. Until next time - take care

Head and neck cancer

Gabe — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:46:43 GMT

Hi Jenny, Below is one of the best sites for oral cancer. OCF The first is the home page and the 2nd lists the forums. You will find a few of us Aussies here. I have the same name. http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/ http://72.47.208.43/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm Cheers Gabe

Head and neck cancer

tizz — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:03:07 GMT

Congrats! My next 6 monthly is in September, which means the week prior I'll be nervous as hell Cheers!Tizz

Head and neck cancer

Gaffo — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:24:19 GMT

Hi Rarbie, Excellent, a trip aroud Australia. I've wondered many times how you were going and what a fantastic way to take the next step in your life. There's always the next round of tests and check-ups just to keep some level of anxiety but hopfully you'll hit a smooth patch as I have and your tests will be all ok. The cream certainly seems to have worked for me. I was a bit dusty while using it but my skin is now smooth as a babies bum. Enjoy the remainder of your trip and I look forward to ready more good news from you. Warm Regards Gaffo

Head and neck cancer

Gaffo — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:24:19 GMT

Hi Rarbie, Google ReCell, search Australia only. Speak to your surgeon as this is a fairly new technique which allows the grafted skin to grow back with the same pigmentation far reducing any scaring, I hope this is suitable to your situation. Regards Gaffo

Head and neck cancer

Gabe — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:24:19 GMT

Hi Tizz, My Avatar (Cookey my Cockateil) disappears from time to time so I just reload it. Check up visit at Westmead last Friday 13th All OK next visit in 4 months. Helen's is next month. Cheers Gabriele

Head and neck cancer

rarbie — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:24:19 GMT

I survived! The op was a big one - including a wide local excision of the SCC on my forehead (basically a large divet in my forehad), parotidectomy (L), and (L) neck dissection to remove 14 lymph nodes. All the pathology is back and the good news is that the cancer had not spread down my supr-orbital (eye) nerve: so my eyesight is safe. Phew! I have been home from hospital since Christmas eve- it is so good to be home with my partner and border collie. It was a 9 hour surgery and the recovery room was the worst part of it all. The nurses and Dr's on the ENT ward were great and I was up and walking as soon as I could. Since coming home I have a nurse coming to my home to do the dressing on my forehead, and I have a large range of bandanas/wide head bands that I use to cover it all up. I am also doing neck exercises and jaw opening exercises to reduce stiffness. I will do the 'look good-feel better' cosmetic cancer course once treatment is finished. Next is radiotherapy which will start on Jan 30th. In the mean time I have become an organic-vegetarian who meditates daily. It's amazing how much cancer can change your life for the better (i.e. that I am no eating such better food than I have in my life and drinking fresh veggie juice) Carpe Diem peoples - we can help ourselves alot in this cancer battle.

Head and neck cancer

rarbie — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:24:19 GMT

Thanks Gaffo, We are in the whitsundays-pretty cool place to recover from cancer I think! I may have to start a foundation when I get back home to fundraise for all cancer people to have a pre-paid holiday here post treatment!!!!! Thanks for your kind words of support and hello to all the new people-amazing increase in people here! :+) Rarbie

Head and neck cancer

tizz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Gabe,Thanks for the link, as I haven't had time lately to visit OCF. Helen wrote to me and I suggested she keep her hand on the "remote control"! My turn next year and I hope I have the same results...Cheers!Tizz

Head and neck cancer

tizz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Jenny,Apologies for the last post - pressed the wrong button!Watch that dry mouth (xerostomia) as the lack of saliva encourages caries and other things. What type of treatment did you have? I had radiation to 3 areas in the oral cavity.Biotene make wonderful products for dry mouth, available at most chemists. There is mouthwash, toothpaste, "Oral Balance" gel to put in your mouth whenever you need lubrication, and I always sipped water with every bite of food. And watch out for oral thrush

Head and neck cancer

tizz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Mikey,It came from what to do with spare time, a cat and knife and a grapefruit!Cheers!Tizz

Head and neck cancer

Gaffo — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Rarbie, Hope you got to relax at the retreat and that your coping ok with the radiation therapy. Regards Gaffo

Head and neck cancer

tizz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Raven,I also belong to the US site, it's very informative, and is often in the news up there. Blythe Danner, Jack Klugman and many other people support the site. The person who created it is Brian Hill, well respected in the media and by your Congress. Have a good look around:http://www.oralcancerfoundation.orgCheers!Tizz from OZ (aka Meredith, in the patient stories)

Head and neck cancer

Gabe — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Tizz (aka Meredith) Caught up with Helen last Friday at Westmead for her 5 year check up and all is ok. Yeah http://72.47.208.43/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=76863#Post76863 Cheers Gabriele

Head and neck cancer

Gabe — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

I am a 56 year old female living in Sydney who has had surgery for Oral Cancer in September 2006. I saw and add in a local paper for this site a few weeks ago, registered but noted there was not much here regarding Head & Neck Cancer. There are 5 of us Australians on a site in the US(with people all over the world participating) which is fantastic and where we made contact via registering and posting to the forums there (all dedicated to Oral Cancer). It is going to be great to have one for Australians if it is patronised. Attached is my profile on the OCF site

Head and neck cancer

jenny — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

i have just discovered this site and having been reading through I come under the Head & Neck section byt I am unsure what to do to suscribe I am still feeling my way around the computer and would be greatful for any tips to use this site properly. Jenny

Head and neck cancer

mikey — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

I'm glad the avatar is back tizz. It is a very noble fruit helmet.

Head and neck cancer

tizz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

My avatar disappeared.....Tizz

Head and neck cancer

tizz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Nope Cheers!Tizz