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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / January 2006NPC treatment update
Dear NPC "colleagues" and advisers and good wishers; I passed 5th week out of 8(25 RT out of 40) and 2 chemo out of 3. Thanks God, there were no more extreme situations after leaving the hospital. I have been experiencing only normal abnormalities of the treatment and wonderful, both professional and human, care. After passing hard experiences of first weeks of treatment's period, you can't go over and tell or ask same symptoms and feelings over and over again. That's why I don't write or "whine" more, in case you may "miss" my posts ( which I doubt :)) Yesterday I passed 25 out of 40 RT; Last week - 2nd Chemo out of 3; While I still can feel a couple swollen nodes on right neck, they are now much-much smaller than they were initially. The G-Tube was a miracle;  SignatureBest Wishes to All, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ ... > After passing hard experiences of first weeks of treatment's period, you > can't go over and tell or ask same symptoms > and feelings over and over again. That's why I don't write or "whine" > more, in case you may "miss" my posts ( which I doubt :)) I have been wondering about you, but I know that at your stage I didn't feel much like writing or talking. For that matter I ahve been wondering how clifto is doing too. He, like I, has been offering advice rather than dwelling on his own cancer and treatment. Soon you will too. > Yesterday I passed 25 out of 40 RT; Last week - 2nd Chemo out of 3; > While I still can feel a couple swollen nodes on right neck, they are now > much-much smaller than they were initially. > The G-Tube was a miracle; Isn't it. What has worked out as the best way for you? I had a high protein food. My nails were never better in my life. I found myself missing the tube the other day as I looked at my broken torn fingernails. > ... > > After passing hard experiences of first weeks of treatment's period, you [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > clifto is doing too. He, like I, has been offering advice rather than > dwelling on his own cancer and treatment. Soon you will too. clifto was just here Friday. Is he still in treatment? I'm confused... I am wondering about CHY. It's been since Jan 1st since we've heard from him. J > clifto was just here Friday. Is he still in treatment? > I'm confused... He's quite here. He just hasn't mentioned how he is healing. He has been keeping involved in other discussions like politics and health in general. I asked, because head and neck cancer treatment takes a long while to heal. From what I can observe, longer than most. >> ... >> > After passing hard experiences of first weeks of treatment's period, you [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > clifto was just here Friday. Is he still in treatment? Nah, just didn't have a lot to say. I finished treatment in August. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. >> ... >>> After passing hard experiences of first weeks of treatment's [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > I am wondering about CHY. It's been since Jan 1st since we've heard > from him. J Indeed. If he will not post in a week we will assume he was not real. SignatureRegards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ > "J" <studras@anon.inv> wrote in message > > I am wondering about CHY. It's been since Jan 1st since we've heard > > from him. J > > Indeed. If he will not post in a week we will assume he was not real. Well Araik, If you were here, I'd give you a smile and a hug, at that comment. Can we give him longer, please? He was moving in with his parents, so perhaps there's no internet connection there or internet connection takes time or he's decided not to bother hooking up there. Hopefully he's okay. Good to hear from you. :) J >> "J" <studras@anon.inv> wrote in message >> > I am wondering about CHY. It's been since Jan 1st since we've heard [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Good to hear from you. :) > J I have corresponded with him by email. At this point in his treatment, he may not feel much like typing to anyone. I know I didn't. > >> "J" <studras@anon.inv> wrote in message > >> > I am wondering about CHY. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I have corresponded with him by email. At this point in his treatment, he > may not feel much like typing to anyone. I know I didn't. Thanks for the good news, Chris. I was worried his scans showed mets and he was depressed. It's good to read that's not the case and treatment is going forward. Thank you very much. J >> >> "J" <studras@anon.inv> wrote in message >> >> > I am wondering about CHY. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Thank you very much. > J I don't know that much information. In his last post here, he expressed concern that hearing our worst case scenarios might make him depressed. But he didn't write anything about mets to me, pro or con. > I don't know that much information. In his last post here, he expressed > concern that hearing our worst case scenarios might make him depressed. > But he didn't write anything about mets to me, pro or con. He had outstanding scans, last time we heard. So we were left not knowing. Now we know. no mets. J >>> "J" <studras@anon.inv> wrote in message >>> > I am wondering about CHY. It's been since Jan 1st since we've heard [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > I have corresponded with him by email. At this point in his treatment, he > may not feel much like typing to anyone. I know I didn't. OK, for such friendly hug it worth to fly or drive 1000 miles :) That's good he is around; I wanted to provoke him to write by my statement :) Because he stopped to write just when he left a lot of questions about his diagnosis/treatment. Good luck to him. As about me, I passed 75% of RT, thanks God (29 out of 40). In coming 2,5 weeks, I am having 11 RT and 1 chemo. Then cross fingers and pray. I am having nasty thrush and sore throat, easily drying mouth, specially when I talk too much (not when I write; so I may start to talk less and to write more) some fatigue currently. I think I am easy hypnotizable individual; When I go to doctors/nurses with 10-12 complains and symptoms and they tell me with radiant smile that "you are doing fine", I feel much better myself. With the concerns I had/have, (or CHY or anybody who goes through this things) I think the wisest advise I get in these support groups was "think and go one day at a time". Regards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ > "Chris Ness" <mness215@comcast.net> wrote in message > . [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > OK, for such friendly hug it worth to fly or drive 1000 miles :) Watch it bud, I just might take you up on it <g> and/or if it helps you get through the treatment feel free to use your imagination, as long as you keep it in good taste <pardon the pun> on the NG. <wink> > That's good he is around; I wanted to provoke him to write by my statement > :) I see. I suspect that when he comes back, he won't catch up on past posts. Do you? Or do you just read the NPC posts and maybe Chris' and clifto's posts. Just curious. > Because he stopped to write just when he left a lot of questions about his > diagnosis/treatment. > Good luck to him. Absolutely. Hopefully soon he'll be back here and in a fine mood such as you are these days. > As about me, I passed 75% of RT, thanks God (29 out of 40). In coming 2,5 > weeks, I am having 11 RT and 1 chemo. Then cross fingers and pray. I am [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > things) I think the wisest advise I get in these support groups was "think > and go one day at a time". Good advice there, Araik. Sounds like things are going well for you. Keep talking to them about the thrush. I don't want that getting worse as more RT treatments occur. Are you drinking? Or does it all go in the PEG tube? Some fruit drinks say "no sugar" but they do have sugars (which I think can contribute to thrush). Here's a Sunday hug for you [ [ [ Araik] ] ] J >> "Chris Ness" <mness215@comcast.net> wrote in message >> . [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > good taste > <pardon the pun> on the NG. <wink> Ah, I had much better imagination years ago :) >> That's good he is around; I wanted to provoke him to write by my >> statement [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Or do you just read the NPC posts and maybe Chris' and clifto's posts. > Just curious. I used to read just everything started from September. Also to "report" the delayed diagnosing process. In this period I feel more tired to do that and see the pic more clearly and read more sporadic, mostly, yes, NPC and Clifto and Chris and your and Steph posts. It's like a university: after passing 101, now you are inclined to more specified messages. >> Because he stopped to write just when he left a lot of questions about >> his [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > you are these > days. Crossing fingers... >> As about me, I passed 75% of RT, thanks God (29 out of 40). In coming 2,5 >> weeks, I am having 11 RT and 1 chemo. Then cross fingers and pray. I am [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > treatments occur. > Are you drinking? Vodka? No, only in tube. > Or does it all go in the PEG tube? Seriously, yes, all go in the PEG tube, and even in that case I don't get proper nutrition every day: Some days I'll feel nausea and will have just 2-3 cans - around 1000 or 1500 cals; But I am puting enough water and ginger ale and ginger tea there. > Some fruit drinks say "no sugar" but they do have sugars (which I think > can contribute > to thrush). I use Diflucan that do not help much. > Here's a Sunday hug for you [ [ [ Araik] ] ] > J Thanks, Jennifer. SignatureRegards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ > As about me, I passed 75% of RT, thanks God (29 out of 40). In coming 2,5 > weeks, I am having 11 RT and 1 chemo. Then cross fingers and pray. I am > having nasty thrush and sore throat, easily drying mouth, clifto posted this, in another thread re: thrush. My doc gave me 10 mg clotrimazole troches to dissolve on my tongue. J >> As about me, I passed 75% of RT, thanks God (29 out of 40). In coming 2,5 >> weeks, I am having 11 RT and 1 chemo. Then cross fingers and pray. I am [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > My doc gave me 10 mg clotrimazole troches to dissolve on my tongue. > J Thanks, I'll ask about it to my Dr/Nurse on Tuesday; currently I am using Diflucan with not much success. My throat is choked when I sip a water; It's very sore; same with mouth and tongue. SignatureRegards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ >> clifto posted this, in another thread re: thrush. >> My doc gave me 10 mg clotrimazole troches to dissolve on my tongue. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > My throat is choked when I sip a water; It's very sore; same with mouth and > tongue. It always seems to me that a fungus is harder to get rid of than a bacterial infection. Maybe it's just a matter of time. Have I mentioned Biotene mouthwash for the dryness? Slightly expensive for a mouthwash, but good stuff. I mentioned it to the dentist and he pulled out samples of a gum and an oral gel the same company makes (haven't seen them in stores yet, though). They also have a dry-mouth toothpaste that's supposed to help replace the stuff your teeth normally get from saliva. (No connection except as a happy user.) SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. >>> clifto posted this, in another thread re: thrush. >>> My doc gave me 10 mg clotrimazole troches to dissolve on my tongue. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> and >> tongue. Hi Clifto, again, I found your post only on readfreenews.net !!! > It always seems to me that a fungus is harder to get rid of than a > bacterial > infection. Maybe it's just a matter of time. I know. This is already second time! Harder and much more nastier! I met today to my dentist, he advised the same thing - Losenge - too, then I asked the RO docs and they prescribed it. Currently I have first tab of it under my tongue. Hope will help in couple days. > Have I mentioned Biotene mouthwash for the dryness? Slightly expensive for > a mouthwash, but good stuff. I use it recently, only at nights and mornings, though I didn't like any of those things. My dentist said that I developed a couple light cavities, but my RO advised to wait to the end of treatment to fill them. > I mentioned it to the dentist and he pulled > out samples of a gum and an oral gel the same company makes (haven't seen > them in stores yet, though). They also have a dry-mouth toothpaste that's > supposed to help replace the stuff your teeth normally get from saliva. I have a sample from my RO nurse; I still have some saliva and I don't know if that's enough or not as I don't eat/drink by mouth. But if I talk a 1-2 minute, it gets absolutely dry. In the good side of the news, today I passed 30th and left just ...10 RT! 3/4 or 75% as statistics would say. > (No connection except as a happy user.) SignatureRegards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ > I ahve been wondering how clifto is doing too. Saw the ENT yesterday on followup. He ran the scope up my nose and down my throat, scanned around and said there's absolutely nothing there that shouldn't be there. PET scan suggested for late February or early March. Getting sick of shrugs and overly simple suggestions regarding the dry mouth, which started long before the cancer. I finally put two and two together and noticed that if it's muscarinic, it's not working right; took that to the internist the other day and she set me up for an ANA with titer, thus starting to test for possibilities I don't like but would rather know about. The only bad news is that my sense of taste is about 85% back. This is bad news since I quit smoking. Contrary to what the propaganda says, the last time I quit (for eleven days) everything tasted like crap, and I expect that's what's happening here. So as I go back to trying my old favorite foods, they drop one by one into the no-thanks bin. Imagine a guy who could eat a 1/2 lb. Hershey bar in one sitting any day of any year, no longer liking chocolate (not even high-quality chocolate). Picture me, asking for a PEG tube *after* the procedures are done. :) (I haven't been a perfect non-smoker either, but to my surprise I haven't had more than four cigarettes in any one month since I quit. That's from a 75 pack-year smoker.) SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. > The only bad news is that my sense of taste is about 85% back. This is bad > news since I quit smoking. Contrary to what the propaganda says, the last [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > longer liking chocolate (not even high-quality chocolate). Picture me, > asking for a PEG tube *after* the procedures are done. :) Chocolate no longer tastes as good to me either. Not good for a comfort food. > (I haven't been a perfect non-smoker either, but to my surprise I haven't > had more than four cigarettes in any one month since I quit. That's from > a 75 pack-year smoker.) You were a piker. My MIL was three packs a day. >> (I haven't been a perfect non-smoker either, but to my surprise I haven't >> had more than four cigarettes in any one month since I quit. That's from >> a 75 pack-year smoker.) > > You were a piker. My MIL was three packs a day. I'm surely a piker by comparison, but I hope you didn't think I smoked 75 packs per year. :) (Actually, would've been nice if I could have limited it to that.) SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. >>> (I haven't been a perfect non-smoker either, but to my surprise I haven't >>> had more than four cigarettes in any one month since I quit. That's from [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >packs per year. :) (Actually, would've been nice if I could have limited it >to that.) I quit 5 years ago. I was only a light smoker really and mainly smoked hand rolled cigarettes. A year ago I got a chest infection I couldn't clear with anti-biotics and eventually my GP tested me and declared I had emphysema with only 50% lung function left. Apparently the chest infection kicked it off:-( Isn't it strange how cigarette manufactures are respectable etc and heroin producers are scum. pete SignatureDue to privacy considerations, I will not respond to mail from gmail.com. For more information, please visit www.google-watch.org/gmail.html > Isn't it strange how cigarette manufactures > are respectable etc and heroin producers are scum. The way I'm seeing it here, it's the other way around; cigarette makers are scum, and heroin producers are heroes to be emulated for their wealth and derring-do in avoiding the law. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. > Saw the ENT yesterday on followup. He ran the scope up my nose and down my > throat, scanned around and said there's absolutely nothing there that [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > with titer, thus starting to test for possibilities I don't like but > would rather know about. Well, let us know. Certainly sounds like they're doing everything possible to get to the bottom of things. J "clifto" <clifto@clifto.com> wrote in message >> I ahve been wondering how clifto is doing too. > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > high-quality chocolate). Picture me, asking for a PEG tube *after* > the procedures are done. :) That may be the way in 100 years: People would feed themselves like cars in feeding stations. And they would have food by mouth exclusively what is tasty for them, for fun. :) > (I haven't been a perfect non-smoker either, but to my surprise I > haven't had more than four cigarettes in any one month since I quit. > That's from a 75 pack-year smoker.) I am shy to say how much I used to smoke! The good news, 1. Medical literature claims that smoking is not risk factor and cause of NPC. 2. After September diagnosing process, I reduced it to 6-8 a day. 3. After treatments started, from late November, it's so disgusting even to look on cigarette. As a litmus test, I'll tell that I am recovered from illenes/treatment/side effects if I enjoy smoking (of course not returning to it). SignatureRegards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ > I am shy to say how much I used to smoke! The good news, > 1. Medical literature claims that smoking is not risk factor and cause of > NPC. I'd see it as a risk factor in my epiglottis cancer, if only because the cigarette smoke has to practically run over the epiglottis on its way out the trachea. I have a lot of issues with the pseudoscience that's mixed in with the real science where smoking is concerned, but I know that irritation causes cancer, and smoke blown directly onto my epiglottis is irritating. > 2. After September diagnosing process, I reduced it to 6-8 a day. > 3. After treatments started, from late November, it's so disgusting even to > look on cigarette. Oh, not me. I will go stand next to a smoker just to enjoy the smell of the smoke. I miss it. Thus my occasional cheating. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. > Getting sick of shrugs and overly simple suggestions regarding the dry > mouth, which started long before the cancer. I came in this thread late, but I had to tell you my remedy for dry mouth. Mine occurs while I am sleeping and is caused by breathing through my mouth. My solution is Breath Right strips. These keep your nose open and allow you to breath normally (through your nose). Signature*The trouble with life is the lack of cool background music Bob in Carmel, CA >> Getting sick of shrugs and overly simple suggestions regarding the dry >> mouth, which started long before the cancer. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > mouth. My solution is Breath Right strips. These keep your nose open and > allow you to breath normally (through your nose). I have some. I'll try that tonight. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. news:gZGdnYC4seHmj1TenZ2dnUVZ_t-dnZ2d@comcast.com > ... >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Isn't it. What has worked out as the best way for you? I suppose to use 4,5 can of Deliver 2.0 a day, 2100cal; But after 2nd chemo I encounter extensive nausea(as well pain in ears, sore throat, mouth, tongue, dizziness, et.c.) and get only 2 or 3 and just once 4. In last ten days, after 2nd chemo, I lost about 8lb. But I get all of my medications through the G-tube and enough water through it to not get dehydrated. Even that keeps me on my feet, on positive attitude. I think it was you who wrote about being "independent having G-tube" before ( sorry if I am mistaken). > I had a high protein food. My nails were never better in my life. I > found myself missing the tube the other day as I looked at my broken > torn fingernails. I think they all are high in protein; I don't notice any changes; Except "baby face": I don't have to shave for more than a month now. SignatureRegards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ "Chris Ness" <mness215@comcast.net> wrote in message > news:gZGdnYC4seHmj1TenZ2dnUVZ_t-dnZ2d@comcast.com That'd be me. >> ... >>> [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > my feet, on positive attitude. I think it was you who wrote about being > "independent having G-tube" before ( sorry if I am mistaken). I don't recognize that quote, but I certainly felt more secure with the tube and it was hard to pry it out of my hot little hands at the end. >> I had a high protein food. My nails were never better in my life. I >> found myself missing the tube the other day as I looked at my broken >> torn fingernails. > > I think they all are high in protein; I don't notice any changes; Except > "baby face": I don't have to shave for more than a month now. Unfortunately that comes back and a little too soon for me since I still occasionally have discomfort in what I call my waddle - that area under my chin. And I would rather not shave that area. But for the time being you chin is as smooth as a babies bottom. >> I think they all are high in protein; I don't notice any changes; Except >> "baby face": I don't have to shave for more than a month now. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > chin. And I would rather not shave that area. But for the time being you > chin is as smooth as a babies bottom. Most of my face is back to growing whiskers almost as usual, but my "waddle" as you put it still only has a tiny bit of peachfuzz anywhere between my chin and my adam's apple. I still have half the fat pad that grew there, too; it's going away but taking its own time. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. > Dear NPC "colleagues" and advisers and good wishers; > I passed 5th week out of 8(25 RT out of 40) [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > much-much smaller than they were initially. > The G-Tube was a miracle; Dear Araik, I missed your posts :-) I guess I'm in the well-wishers group and will send you more. Thanks for the update. J >> Dear NPC "colleagues" and advisers and good wishers; >> I passed 5th week out of 8(25 RT out of 40) [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Dear Araik, > I missed your posts :-) Me too. Now they are more prosaic :) > I guess I'm in the well-wishers group and will send you more. I guess so. > Thanks for the update. > J By the way, as a ng informal moderator, do you have an idea why I got blank messages in your and clifto's responses through newsfeeds reader ( I get headers, but when I click to open it shows as if the body is empty) , but then I was able to get posts through readfreenews.net? SignatureRegards, Araik Margarian. http://journals.aol.com/aramargar1/MyAmericanDream/ > "J" <studras@anon.inv> wrote in message > > > > I missed your posts :-) > > Me too. Now they are more prosaic :) Apparently that means " Consisting or characteristic of prose" (which would have been my interpretation) or "straightforward". I'll take either. :) > By the way, as a ng informal moderator, do you have an idea why I got blank > messages in your and clifto's responses through newsfeeds reader ( I get > headers, but when I click to open it shows as if the body is empty) , but > then I was able to get posts through readfreenews.net? I wish I knew. That happened to me a few days ago, after I clicked on a post, on another newsgroup, and then a bunch of them were blank. So I left that newsgroup alone for a few days and just retried. My newsreader downloaded "fresh" (5,000 posts) and everything seems okay now. So I'm sorry. I don't have an answer. After careful thought, I'm inclined to think it was a glitch in my newsreader (especially since I've seen no other such comments on this or any other newsgroups, that I look through). I don't know Outlook Express (your newsreader) so I cannot give advice. If it continues to happen, post separate (special topic) and hopefully someone will give you a tip. J >> By the way, as a ng informal moderator, do you have an idea why I got blank >> messages in your and clifto's responses through newsfeeds reader ( I get [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > That happened to me a few days ago, after I clicked on a post, on another newsgroup, > and then a bunch of them were blank. I had the same experience. It was just the occasional article that came up blank, but enough that it made me investigate a bit. I was able to find the articles in my news spool, they looked normal and properly formatted, but they just wouldn't come up in the newsreader. And as with the two of you, it resolved itself. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. > >> By the way, as a ng informal moderator, do you have an idea why I got blank > >> messages in your and clifto's responses through newsfeeds reader ( I get [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > they just wouldn't come up in the newsreader. And as with the two of you, > it resolved itself. Must have been that meteroite with the expensive dust on it :p Thanks for letting us know, clifto. J > Dear NPC "colleagues" and advisers and good wishers; > I passed 5th week out of 8(25 RT out of 40) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I have been experiencing only normal abnormalities of the treatment and > wonderful, both professional and human, care. Excellent! > While I still can feel a couple swollen nodes on right neck, they are now > much-much smaller than they were initially. Double excellent! Here's hoping they whack the CA once and for all. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. |
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