Hello Everyone. I have been diagnosed with stage 4A Tonsillar Cancer (squamous [...]

Hey Coco, Yes I had 7 chemo treatments that I handled pretty well. I have my last radiation n Friday...tomorrow that is ..Yippee. However I still have a swollen lymph node in my neck. The doctor assumes it might take a few week more till it goes away. Im hoping for I do not know what the next step will be. The whole thing has been exhausting although I have not had to feed on the tube. The worst side effects I have had is a bad burn across my neck, a bad sore throat and something on my tongue. Otherwise that is it for now...NIce to hear from you.

Seth

Hey Seth, YAY!!! for today being your last radiation day. Why have they not removed the node in your neck? Is it the only place they see cancer cells? Why are they stopping radiation when it's still cancerous? Chemo and radiation both do continue to work after they're used. Did the node get smaller when it was radiated? If it did shrink, the time it took to start shrinking MAY BE the length of time it will continue to have an effect. Depending on where the node is (near vital structures like the carotid artery, trachea, etc), and the amount of damage it caused, you may be able to get radiation again if it didn't respond enough to kill the cancer cells.
I don't know what I would do in your situation. Maybe I'd push for immunotherapy or targeted therapy, heated Vitamin C given by infusion (IV). or other "newer treatment strategies". I also don't know if I could not dwell on fear and worry. I do know what stress, fear, anxiety, and worry can do. Those things can cause misery. Kicking the fear and anxiety to the curb will give you better quality of life. This may apply - most of the things we worry about never happen or may not be as bad as we thought they'd be. Those negative things can be helpful because they can make you seek help. If you trust your doctor, let him/her have the anxiety, fear, worry, etc. Tell yourself you're in good hands. Harness the bad stuff by doing what you can do, participating in support forums like CancerConnect, and PLEASE ignore statistics. Push the negatives out of your mind. Don't go there and get the most out of your days, weeks, years, the rest of your life. I'm on your side thinking you're going to be alright.
Carol

I do not like to see that much chemo? Your feeling pretty good right now you say. You do know how bad the after effects are? I hope you read life after cancer. On line if you have not seen it. NCA.com. When they kick in your going to get very sick along with many assorted side effects, they do not go away. Some people come out with mild to severe.
Hang in there buddy....Keep in touch Coco

Hi Carol,<br />
<br />
There has been a response in the lymph node. I really do trust my doctor I<br />
think he is brilliant. He has said prior to this happening that another<br />
patient he had was in the same situation and that after he finished<br />
treatment it took several weeks for the node to go away. So that gives me<br />
hope and faith.<br />
At the beginning I was thinking the worse but being I am seeing progress I<br />
have faith my doctor knows what he doing. At least I hope so. Being HIZ<br />
positive all thee years I hae learned that I need to do what I need to do<br />
in order to stay alive. I will be getting a second opinion in a couple of<br />
weeks if I dont see progress.<br />
Lastly. the doctor does not believe in doing surgery unless absolutely<br />
necessary. Thanks so much for your input and care in replying to me.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
<br />
Seth<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*Seth Solomon*<br />
<br />
sethbsolomon@gmail.com<br />
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