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After last post nausea kicked in but tolerable, no throwing up, good deal. But those nausea meds do have side effects and made me dizzzzzy, spaced out. Other symptoms include constant ringing in ears, poor sleeping and found out I am very claustrophobic with that mask, it got to me. Freaked out on third day and now take happy pill prior to radiation. But all in all, I'm very thankful and thank God that things could be worse.[...]
Alright, excited we are finally going to battle. Started treatment on April 1 at City of Hope which is an excellent hospital that specializes in only cancer. Got to hospital by 9 am for blood work and chemo (cisplatin) started at 11:00 am and completed by 7:00 pm. During infusion they wheeled me to radiation treament as the IV's were easily transportable. Also received nausea medicine and steroids. Was dizzy after treatment with minor upset stomach. Long day but no real complications.[...]
On Thursday Feb 21 the doctor says 70-80% curable (pretty good odds); OK... but is the cancer anywhere else (he didn't discuss that factor); that little issue could drastically change my odds severely. Doc schedules a PET/CAT scan for the following day with a biopsy for Tuesday. I like this guy he's moving quick and with authority at the hospital. So their office calls the insurance company for pre-authorization and of course they deny the test due to a pre-existing condition. Really...don't remember having throat cancer before, but apparently they do? Don't you love insurance companies - they advertise how important it is to have until one has an accident, at which time they will strategically plan how not to pay that claim. Loved my doctor's response, "that's ridiculous and we're doing it anyhow, it would be negligent of me not to scan!". He told me not to worry and he would help with insurance company.[...]
It started simply as a sore throat in late January. Then my glands (which was actually two lymphs nodes) enlarged within two weeks and thought my body was having a hard time fighting an infection. Back in October I had a knee operation to clean up a serious Staph infection that went septic; had over 21 days of antibiotics via PICC Line whereas my immune system was surely compromised. So week three of sore throat visit my family doctor and looks in my throat and gives me ("more") antibiotics which the cancer laughs at. Little did I know my doctor talked to my wife as she was concerned that I had leukemia or something else; you know I was wondering why my wife was so nice to me (honey your always nice to me!). Back to story; so I get sent to ENT specialist and before you can say "one mississippi" he tells me I have cancer, but not 100% (need the biopsy). He just didn't want to completely depress me and/or provide some level of hope. Colleen is with me and she starts crying but recomposes after the doctor says it is curable with an 70-80% cure rate. Heck I wanted the 100% rate. Must say the news did not rock me at all as I was most likely in shock or thought it was a bad dream. [...]
