davya's Cancer Blog
November 20, 2007
| finding out and going through the treatment | Views: 747 |
I was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer( primary in the left tonsil, secondary in 4 of the lymph nodes all encapsulated luckily) on the 1st May 2007, bit of a shock finding out. They told me that that 90% of people who get this type of cancer are smokers which is a bummer as I have never smoked in my life, I’m told I was unlucky. No cancer in either side of my family so a real double whammy.
First thought Lets beat this mother into submission. Only Positive thoughts allowed
Had my neck resection 3 weeks later, felt ok after, not too much pain, discharged 10 days later but readmitted 2 days later with a tonsil bleed but I had been told to expect that due to my age 53 years and the fact that I have cancer, easily rectifified however and was back home 4 days later.
Had to attend dental hospital and needed a wisdom tooth extracted, started to realise there is more to having cancer than just treating the tumour.
Into hospital beginning of July to have a PEG tube inserted, that was worse than the neck resection, radiotherapy started the following day and chemo a week later, initially was attending hospital as an out-patient but after two weeks had to be admitted as I was extremely sensitive to treatments ( am told this is a good thing as it means therapies are being really effective didnt feel like it at the time, felt like giving up).Can no longer eat eveything going through PEG , lost 7 lbs over the weekend. Managed to get home at the weekends for next two weeks, but then in hospital til treatments finished, was really low at this point, missing family so so much.
The last week was really tough no energy just counting down the days til treatment finished.
30 radiotherapies and 5 chemos later and its over, treatments complete, surely its all good news from now on, not a chance, next day my white blood cell plummets, commenced on IV and oral antibiotics, which luckily do the trick and WBC count starts to rise a few days later and I am discharged home the following weekend.
Unfortunately no home back up was organised and I was left to get on with it, managed to wean myself off the morphine took me 3 weeks but i did it also started eating again and stopped using PEG, but it still in situ, hoping it will be removed for XMAS what a present that would be. Have been seen by both surgeon(sept) and oncologist(oct)and been given told cancer has not re-emerged am due to see them at the end of Nov and beginning of Jan respectively.
Wish I had been given some info on the emotional side of this, was really low a few weeks after treatment ceased apparently low mood is a side effect of the radiotherapy, felt somewhat better after hearing this at least I knew why I was the way I was, but found i was still very tearful and am now being seen by a counsellor for a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, this is actually more difficult than the cancer treatments.
Fatigue is a major factor following treatment i got tired just thinking about exercise, the main physical problem though is a dry mouth and throat, i have been prescibed pilocarpine but the possible side effects are putting me off trying it
finding out and going through the treatment, 
5 comments)
09.13.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
Hang in there Davya things do get better. It sounds like you had a hard way to go but you came out in the with good results. Yes you are right no one tells you of the emotional side effects it helps to have a good support system where ever you can get it. Here is to a good Holiday season for you.
Cheryl
I’m glad to hear you came through your treatment, a little worse for wear, but okay. It’s rough going from the onset and nothing, absolutely nothing prepares you for it. Even if you had information on what was coming, the trauma of the seemingly endless hospital/doctor visits, tests, and treatments are enough to overwhelm any person.
I’m glad you’re doing what’s necessary to take care of yourself, especially with the emotional impact of things. Battling cancer permeates every aspect of your life. Well, invades would be a better term.
Hang in there. You’re in my prayers. Remember one thing: When you’re in a depression, DO NOT trust your feelings or thoughts. Focus on the good things in your life. I know, easier said than done, but it’s a lesson I’m learning in dealing with depression. Hugs…Grace
Davya,
Listen to Grace. Her words could have come from my mouth. Absolutely nothing can prepare any of us for what cancer and it’s treatment entails. The emotional drain is sometimes unbearable. The emotional and the physical feed on each other to make each seem worse. Are you on any antidepressants? I NEVER thought I would take them. I am so glad that I do now. I’m on Lexapro. It doesn’t make me happy, but it does help me pull out of the darkness and deal productively with much that plagues me.
You have been through a lot. Be proud of how together you are and what you have survived. It takes a lot of internal fortitude and you have it! You are in my prayers. We all support each other. Stay strong. Gaile
It will take awhile for your body and mind to heal and get use to the new you. Don’t put any pressure on yourself or any timeline. I was always so shocked at how much longer it seem to take for things to even out emotionally and physically.
That a way to hang in there Davya… I know that you much have really suffered and it is harder on our families… You went through a lot, maybe more than you should have but through it all we alwars seem to learn something about it.. Patience and trust seem to be the two greatest things but I also find that one needs to be very positive about things, and also faith really helps. I will keep you in my prayers, but you must promise to keep the faith and be POSSITIVE about things .. Sometimes we must be stubborn about it.. so do not allow it to put you in a negative mood, refuse to accept that… I know that it will not be easy but stick in there..
God bless Ray