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Hi guys . Yep got the fright of my life as we all do . Lymph nods on my RHSide were raised . Went to the doc whom sent me off for a scan . Straight of to see and ENT specialist. First out came the lymph nods . Next both tonsils and tissue removed for biopsys and at the ripe age of 62 thats not nice . Pet scan after it was proven that there was nothing in the biopsy. Pet scan came up with unknown primary and no cancer anywhere else . So we had 33 rounds of radiation and 6 rounds of chemo . As most people whom have had this it starts when you realise you have no Silva and you are constantly waking up with a really dry mouth . I was going through 600 ml a night of water . Dont be a hero . Fentanyl patches and liquid morphine are your friend and if you want to get through it without a peg you need to eat and drink plenty . Mouth and neck muscle exercises are a must . Plenty of dermeez for the burn areas . My first week out from treatment and tonight i had a nandos wrap . For breeky i am having porridge or ceral and yes a lot of it is just tastless . Tonights meal was the first time the top of my tongue let me taste the food . So nice . So im looking forward to the next couple as i am over being a shadow of a person . Stay strong and if you want to talk about what i or you have to go through , let me know . Vinnie
PS Vinnie - I'm a year out and really starting to get on top of things, though I was at my lowest at weeks 4 to 8 after treatment ended (35x radiation and 3x high dose chemo).
I was asked to be a part of this SBS special that you might find interesting.
Shane
Thanks . I really concentrated on mouth and neck muscles. Stretching as much as i could. Just swallowed heaps of fluids and keeped engaging my throat . Dont worry the food still tastes pretty average and its more a chore than a like . Exersise is important . I was fit from running before it started so i keeped it up until week three and then i walked for a couple of weeks until fatigue got me. Went to the beach today and walked 4 k which was super nice . During treatment i worked on the front and rear gardens ripping and redoing everything . Just stay busy . Next 3 weeks will be interesting as im hoping my taste buds kick in so i can go on enjoying food . Take care and all the best with your progress . Vinnie
Thanks Shane . Yes its a really strange nasty one . I hadn't been with anyone else besides my wife for over 28 yrs so it was a big suprise to me. I see you are into kayaking . I too enjoy being out on the sea in one . Stay healthy and get into your fitness . Thanks for the link and stay positive . Vinnie