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Vital Info


Tim E (tim)


April 28, 2012


Rockford, Michigan 49341


February 18, 1960


Cancer Fighter

Cancer Info


Tonsil Cancer


Squamous-cell-carcinoma


April 12, 2012


Stage 3


02


Yes


Tonsillectomy


yes


Cisplatin (Platinol, Platinol-AQ)


Its early - but so far its the dreaded mask! Now it's eating...or lack there of


Lymph node


Cancer Center at Metro Health Village


July 4, 2012


Ear pain for apx. 3 years. Noticed swollen tonsil 3 months


4/10/12 Removed Left Tonsil

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Tim E's Cancer Blog

Recovery Stage...

I finished treatments last week Thursday! I figured it would be just the one last zap of weekly radiation but was surprised they decided to give me 1 last dose of chemo. I guess my blood count had risen enough that the oncologist figured we should go for it. So instead of just recovering from the throat soreness I got to deal with the flu like symptoms of chemo the past few days. Hopefully today will be better as I have only managed to get down 5 cans of Ensure over the past 3 days…
Prior to Thursday my throat was killing me – worse it has been throughout the treatment. Couldn’t talk, eat, drink or swallow without chugging some Visocane – or whatever. They did give me a prescription for Marinol – which is some type of marijuana in a pill form. I have taken 3 doses – but really don’t notice much difference in appetite. I told the Dr I “give up” on trying to eat – and really don’t care anymore …which brought me to an appointment with the treatment social worker… that conversation went something like this.. “So how are you doing? BAD… So how does that make you feel? BAD…What are you doing about it? COMPLAINING AND POUTING AND I REALLY DON’T WANT TO TALK TO YOU! “
Also on Tuesday I freaked out about putting on the mask! I had to get up off the table – take 3 Xantax and come back after about 30 minutes. Not sure what happened – but it might have been from the Vicodin plus marijuana and the fact that it was 100 degrees outside and felt like 30 degrees inside the treatment center.
Anyways – I made it through treatment and now wait something like 12 weeks to get a pet scan to see if the cancer is all gone… Does it matter??? – either way I have vowed to not go through this again!

Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:15 AM PDT by Tim E (, 10 comments, 1593 view)

I hope you feel better soon. I know just feeling better cheers a person.
I remember at the end of my treatments, I could not talk, eat, drink, didn’t feel like talking or even thinking. I was a zombee watching TV or looking at pictures in magazines. I felt like – just tell me when to be ready for doctor appts or such and get me there. I was warned I would feel worse before I felt better. They were correct. But better does come. My voice returned and the PET scan showed no cancer. That in itself cheered me up a bit.
Try to keep thinking there is light at he end of this dark feeling tunnel. Sunshine feelings will be there.
Hugs and prayers, Sandyjo

SandyjoPosted on July 9, 2012 at 12:53 PM PDT by Sandyjo

Thanks! I defiantly can relate to the zombie… I’m tired of watching meaningless late night movies.

Tim EPosted on July 9, 2012 at 1:01 PM PDT by Tim E
Karen likes this comment

Hi Tim! So happy you’re finished. But, be VERY VERY patient with yourself because recovery is painfully slow. You will get better…but its gonna take awhile. I am almost 8 weeks out and I am just getting out the house to run short errands. I am still mostly drinking ensure, still have tongue and throat soreness, and still struggling with my spirits. Radiation has been the most brutal experience I have ever had and I have had some very depressed moments. I even had some suicidal thoughts when I was really suffering. So, stay close to us and we will walk you through the recovery. I have learned so much from the other bloggers:) Keep your spirits up!

Private UserPosted on July 9, 2012 at 3:48 PM PDT by Private User

Karen,
I had those same thoughts. I think most of us did. Now when I think back, it’s scary to think what could have happened when I feel so good now.
Angie

BillanPosted on July 9, 2012 at 5:27 PM PDT by Billan

 Thanks:) u r always so sweet!

Private UserPosted on July 9, 2012 at 6:40 PM PDT by Private User
YO Tim…...just being done with stupid treatments will make you feel mentally better. I wish I could say you will soon be physically better but my own experience and the blogs I’ve read would indicate feeling better is still down the road.

The recovery process sucks just as bad as the treatment stage but last longer. You still need to keep up with the nutrition and hydration and continue to watch your weight.

I’m assuming you have excessive dry mouth and thick stringy mucus so continue with whatever mouth rinses you are using to keep your teeth bacteria free and it also helps with mouth and tongue sores.

Try and stay positive buddy and be glad treatments are freaking done

JamesPosted on July 9, 2012 at 4:32 PM PDT by James

Tim,
I’m so glad you’re done. I understand never going through this again. With time, the memmory fades but I still don’t know what I would do.

Recovery takes time. If I remember about two weeks post treatment, I quit vomiting and thought okay I can do this. About six weeks post treatment, I felt better.

Things happen slowly but suddenly. It’s like one day I was horribly sick and the next I was better. It’s surprising because you begin to think this is it, I’ll be like this forever and then you don’t.

Keep complaining and keep pouting. Do whatever it takes to survive and get through this. It’s about you and what you need/have to do.
Angie

BillanPosted on July 9, 2012 at 5:35 PM PDT by Billan

Congratulations on completing your treatments. Hopefully you will not have too do it again, and the percentages are on your side. I get a kick out of some social workers, who should be called anti-social workers since some just don’t get it, don’t help, and try to steer you to certain places..$. I just got my evaluation my report from the Sw from two years ago, when I got copies of my in hospital treatment. I didn’t even know why she came to see me, it wasn’t upon request. Anyway, good luck with recovery.

Private UserPosted on July 15, 2012 at 8:22 AM PDT by Private User

Haven’t heard from you in a while- how is your recovery going??? Karen

Private UserPosted on August 27, 2012 at 1:35 PM PDT by Private User

Hey Tim- you doing okay? Hope you are just taking a break and living life : )

Kerry

KerryPosted on October 12, 2012 at 7:33 PM PDT by Kerry

happy belated bday, Tim. Check in sometime! Hugs, Karen

Private UserPosted on February 21, 2013 at 9:04 AM PST by Private User

Saving Cash

Not much new to add….so therefore have not posted in a while. I have 7 more radiation treatments to go. Not sure about chemo… I did not have it this past week – white blood cell count to low. I went from 5.3 to 1.9 to 1.2 – whatever that means? So I really have had only 3 full chemos and 1 dose of 50 % treatment. Throat is now a problem and swallowing a challenge but I expected that. They keep threatening about a feeding tube – but I am hanging in there. Have lost almost 30 pounds since the original tonsil surgery. If I had to do it over again I would have listened to many of you and just got the tube put in in the very beginning. As crappy as I feel most days – once in a while I get fired up and have a good day…Went to a Tiger baseball game in Detroit with my son last week. They lost to the Cardinal’s – but it was still fun to get away. To make it through- I guess you have to focus on the good days – and the hopefully better days ahead. There are a few good things that have come out of this…like all the cash I’m saving such as:
•Shaving supplies – Only have to shave about once a week
•Haircuts – didn’t have much hair to start with – but the cuts are now even farther apart
•Food bill– Except for the ridiculous high price of Ensure…
•Bar bill – Water is cheap. Although sometimes I get crazy and order a ginger ale
•Green fees – Have not made it out golfing since this all started… Trust me I don’t need more stress!
•Clothing – I actually fit back into some of my old high school clothes…too bad disco wasn’t still in style!
Hope everyone is hanging in there! My next post will be post treatment!

Posted on June 25, 2012 at 2:13 PM PDT by Tim E (, 7 comments, 1544 view)

Tim I’ve been worried about you so glad to see a post. Go Cards…....

I’m 2+ months post treatments and have not had a hair cut in like 2 months…it’s just not growing.

Shaving: Still once a week and thats only on my upper lip….nothing else is growing.

Glad you’re having some good days….I don’t recall having any of those my last couple weeks.

Now it’s almost time to prepare for recovery. SUCKS WORSE THAN THE TREATMENTS. Only because it’s so slow and aggrivating. I read post after post saying recovery was horrible and I still didn’t believe it until I am where I am now…....It’s nice not having to go to treatments but it’s still a very slow process so begin now to get mentally prepared.

Keep it up buddy…....

JamesPosted on June 25, 2012 at 2:27 PM PDT by James

Wow! Sounds like a parallel universe to me…3rd chemo and things went downhill fast. I beat you on the tube though…I got mine in week 3 instead of week one. Good luck to the end and remember – the radiation and it’s side effects continue after your last treatment. Look for small improvements in intervals of 1 month or 30 days…not 1 week.

Pat CPosted on June 25, 2012 at 2:43 PM PDT by Pat C

I am glad youa re still hanging in there. Have you tried adding smoothies between ensure. Something different and maybe more calories. Or add carnation instant breakfast to your ensure and a scoop of protein powder and vanilla. Cream has more calories than milk – Try making a carnation instant breakfast with cream?? A friend adds 2 raw eggs to his ensure, more milk, protein powder, instant breakfast, and vanilla. If you get a PEG tube, you can easily add smoothies. I did. I didnot loose too much weight because I kept pouring my cans of nutrition and juice and protein smoothies down the tube.
I remember when I thought ‘Hey, I am saving money!’ Not to bad a side effect. I too lost enough weight to get into smaller clothing. I think everyone does.
Take it easy and rest. That will help you get through the next phase when radiation keeps working after your last treatment.
Hugs and prayers, Sandyjo

SandyjoPosted on June 25, 2012 at 3:09 PM PDT by Sandyjo

Hi Tim,
I did not get a PEG tube, and have lost about 6 # since treatment started. Sounds like you are already drinking Ensure which is what I live off even now. I drink a room temperature can of Ensure in about 20 seconds and then chase it with ice water. I drink 6- 7 /day. I eat very little real food even almost 6 weeks PT. My throat is too swollen, tender and I still have mouth sores. If you want to avoid the PEG, get use to chugging Ensure…It can be done. On the other hand, it is NO failure to get a PEG tube whatever gets you safely to the finish line! Hugs, Karen

Private UserPosted on June 25, 2012 at 4:19 PM PDT by Private User

Sounds like you got some good advice here. Love your list of cash savings! Humor is so helpful through this journey. Not that cancer should be compared but I have always thought throat and tonsil cancer must be the worst. To try and get down food must be rough. Prayers for your remaining treatments!

Private UserPosted on June 25, 2012 at 4:34 PM PDT by Private User

Low WBC means you are sustible to infections and illnesses. It’s probably from the chemo causing the bone morrow not to provide enough wbc, wich are replaced every 3-4days by the body. They stop or reduce the amount of chemo, so our levels can get back up, and or give you a shot of Neupogen. Be carefull in public places, in the yard, with pets, and follow Hand cleansing to avoid infection, but it’s amazing, and encouraging, you were able to go to a game! You may want to avoid anymore weigh loss which may effect the mask fitting, recovery, treatment response, and requiring getting a feeding tube, , which runs an chnce of infection st tjis point, trratment delay, an often a nasal one put in instead, but like Karen said, whatever it takes to safely complete treatment.hang in thre, you analyst finished, but still takes Tim like Pat said.

Private UserPosted on June 25, 2012 at 6:01 PM PDT by Private User

Sorry for the errors, besides weight loss, it effects the eyes, and mind too lol.

Private UserPosted on June 25, 2012 at 6:04 PM PDT by Private User

Tim keep the sense of humor! and please try hard not to lose to much weight, your systom and immunity really goes down when you lose to much weight. I gained weight pre surgery and treatment on purpose . Went from 126 lbs to 152 lbs. but even with the tube being so sick I went down to 93 lbs, I am 2 years out and still fighting to gain I am now at a whoping 106 lbs. Your strength, energy, fatigue , everything suffers when you are underweight! Good Luck I am hoping and praying for you! Hugs Val

ValeriePosted on June 25, 2012 at 6:03 PM PDT by Valerie

Second half...

… How do you respond to this…
How you doing/Hows it going???? (Does this person know? )
Colleague asks – Wow you are looking trim – what have you been doing to lose weight?
Waitress asks – So how’s everything tasting today???
Old friend says – Hey look I bought you a beer….
Good news is my son who was teaching in Honduras is home for the summer and he has been doing all the odd jobs that need to be done around the house in the spring. Its great to have him home…
And – 20 Radiations down – 15 more to go. Kenny Rogers in concert has been the latest anxiety relief – although I don’t event think twice about them latching down the mask anymore. It has become a routine – like brushing my teeth…Not sure about chemo – if it’s up to me I’ve had enough of that crap poisoning my body…
I’m past the half way point and usually I pick up my game in the second half – so look out cancer – I’m going to do some butt kicking now!

Posted on June 13, 2012 at 7:54 AM PDT by Tim E (, 6 comments, 989 view)
carynn67 threw a punch at your cancer.
scottie sent you a prayer.
carolj, susie sent you a hug.

More than half way down: AWESOME. For me the second half sucked…....hopefully it doesn’t for you but be prepared. Keep it up and you’ll be done in no time and ready to fight the after treatment issues.

JamesPosted on June 13, 2012 at 9:37 AM PDT by James

Yeah! How do you respond? Lot’s of no, I can’t taste, no, I can’t eat, no I can’t even think of beer! I did, however, make the dark and flavorful beers the first part of my carbo re-load when my throat started to get non-painful…Hand on tight and get through this next set.

Pat CPosted on June 13, 2012 at 10:08 AM PDT by Pat C

second half gonna come on strong on put your big boy shorts on,it aint gonna be pretty..get mean and get prayerful..

GlennPosted on June 13, 2012 at 10:21 AM PDT by Glenn

Hang in there! It’s like doing a triathlon, followed by a heavy weight bout, for sure.

Private UserPosted on June 13, 2012 at 3:42 PM PDT by Private User

Great post, Tim. You are a true warrior and an inspiration. Chemo was probably my least favorite part of treatment (after I got over my mask anxiety and accepted the PEG tube). Know that everything its doing to your body, its doing to the cancer twice as hard. So when you feel beat down, know the cancer is being beat to death.

And to answer your first question (Does this person know?): No, they don’t. Even if they did know in name what you are going through, nothing compares to actually going through it.

So you hang in there, brother. I got you covered in prayer on this end.

Scottie

ScottiePosted on June 13, 2012 at 3:48 PM PDT by Scottie

Keep kicking butt! I am so glad you were feeling good enough to go to a concert. Yea, people say we are looking good but they don’t see the inside.
The second half is not the fun half. Not that I am saying ny of it was fun. But just keep kicking butt and you’ll fly through it. Keep thinking of the concert you want to see several months from now!
Hugs nd prayers, Sandyjp

SandyjoPosted on June 16, 2012 at 6:51 PM PDT by Sandyjo
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