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Hi all,
Diagnosed in August 2019 with HPV16+ - t1n2pn1m0. Tonsil and lymph node (left hand side). Had a neck desertion and tonsil removal(Tors) and took 3 weeks to recovery. Saw 2 DR's and an oncologist afterwards and decided to not have Chemo or radiation as the 5mm margins were negative. Had a 12 month PET scan and cancer has returned to my right side tonsil and lymph node. Two primaries is rare. In the PET scans before and after the op there was no detection on the right side. Decided not to have another op and headed to the Charles cancer center for treatment. Attended the Charles Cancer center and agreed to Radiation and Chemo treatment plan. Radiation being the hard hitter and Chemo supplementing the Radiation. Saw a dentist, speech therapist and dietitian. I've been well looked after.
Plan - Work until early afternoon and then have the treatment. Continue to run through out.
Week 1 Completed - 1 x Chemo on Monday & 5 x Radiation (Mon - Fri)
Treatment - Chemo and Radiation on Monday and radiation the rest of the week
Feeling: Emotional, nauseas, fatigue and taste bud taste like rubber.
Plan: Felt good until Thursday, then hell let lose. Tired emotion , nauseas and Fatigue for Friday and Saturday. Recovered on Sunday. Back at wok today.
6 more weeks seems a fair distance away with what I experienced this weekend, however I have to do what I have to do.
Eating: Spicy rice dishes are yummy, strawberry jam on toast, yoghurt, custard and rice pudding.
Sweets: Lifesavers, Soothers (Butter Menthol and Eucalyptus Menthol).
Mouth Rinse: Salt water, Oral 7 and water.
Cream: Aloe Vera lotion.
Tea and coffee, were my favorite, now taste terrible. At least I am saving money on buying 2 coffees a day.
Treatment Week 3 Completed Plan: Work until early afternoon and then have the treatment at 3pm.
Treatment: Radiation - Mon - Fri
Feeling: Week 3 was a none Chemo week so I felt good. I’ve started to get small ulcers in my mouth cavity. Taking soluble Panadol every 6 hours.
Exercise: Running 5 km x 4 times a week
Eating: Trying to eat normal and convince my taste buds its delicious. Spicy rice dishes, strawberry jam on toast, yoghurt, custard and rice pudding.
Sweets: Lifesavers, Soothers (Butter Menthol and Eucalyptus Menthol).
Mouth Rinse: Salt/BiCarb water, Oral 7 and 3-4 litres a day water.
Cream: Aloe Vera lotion
Week 4 Completed - Tough week Plan: Work until early afternoon and then have the treatment at 3pm.
Treatment: Chemo - Mon, Radiation - Mon - Fri
Feeling: Week 4 was a Chemo week so I felt bad. Nausea, fatigue, loss of all total taste, drier mouth and loss of appetite.
Exercise: Running 5km x 4 times a week.
Eating: Eating has become an issue, can’t taste anything and don’t feel like eating.
• Brekky – Oats and milk (honey)
• Morning tea – 2 min noodles
• Lunch – fried rice
• Dinner - packed rice or noddles
Sweets: Soothers (Blueberry, Butter Menthol and Eucalyptus Menthol).
Mouth Rinse: Vingar (ulcers feel better), Salt/Bicarb water, Diffelan, Oral 7 and 3-4 litres a day water.
Cream: Aloe Vera lotion.
Week 5 Completed – Easier week
Plan: Work until early afternoon and then have the treatment at 3pm.
Treatment: Radiation - Mon - Fri
Feeling: Week 5 was a normal radiation week only. loss of all total taste, drier mouth and loss of appetite.
Exercise: Running 5km x 4 times a week.
Eating: Eating has become an issue, can’t taste anything and don’t feel like eating.
Sweets: Soothers (Blueberry, Butter Menthol and Eucalyptus Menthol).
Mouth Rinse: Salt/Bicarb water, Diffelan, Oral 7 and 3-4 litres a day water.
Cream: Aloe Vera lotion.
Week 6 & 7 Completed (Bigger, Better and Stronger)
Treatment completed
Week 6 was a normal radiation week only. loss of all taste, drier mouth and loss of appetite. Skin along the neck has become itchy and flaky
Week 7 was Chemo and radiation. Felt nausea and fatigues. No appetite. WFM and slept most days. Slight recovery on weekend.
Feeling: Sick, nausea and fatigue. Felt down
Exercise: Running 5km x 4 times a week.
Eating: Eating has become an issue, can’t taste anything and don’t feel like eating.
Mouth Rinse: Salt/Bicarb water, Diffelan, pink lady and 3-4 litres a day water.
Cream: Sorbolene lotion.
Wow great progress, keep it up!