Treatment without CHEMO
An interesting article form the Daily Mail in the UK about a new development in treating throat cancer without Chemotherapy and using laser technology. I hope this helps you.
Click the image to read the article.
2 1/2 months after treatment
The last few weeks I have had a number of people ask me if I am going to keep this site going, now the treatment is completed. Well the answer is a definite yes! My treatment may be finished but that is not the end of things, and if this site is to help people who are going through similar experiences to me then it is essential that I carry things on for a while yet.
December for me has been a roller-coaster ride, with some extreme highs, and also some lows. Although the highs completely outweigh the lows.
On Monday 4th December I had to go for comprehensive scans to my throat and neck area. My appointment for the results of the final analysis was scheduled for Monday 11th. It was then I would know where I stood. This wait would be a painful wait.
However, on the Thursday before the 11th, Dr. Travino phoned me to say he had been given the results by the radiologist. He could hardly contain himself when he tried to tell me that they had checked and rechecked the scans – even comparing them to the old scans – and that he could find no trace of the tumours! According to these scans, the cancer had been eliminated in these areas.
The feeling of elation is very difficult to describe.
There is nothing I could ever compare it to. I felt like my chest was about to burst. We were all having lunch in the office at the time, and after putting the phone down and sitting at the table I just burst into tears. The cancer has played havoc with my emotions, I was never very good at hiding my feelings anyway, but the last few months I was getting very emotional, blubbering very easily!
Anyway, I still had to see the main man, Dr. Caba, the ear nose and throat specialist on the following Monday. I would also have a cat-scan on this day.
With the scans and the report (which we couldn’t read as it was in Portuguese) in hand off we went to see Dr. Caba, who greeted us with a smile. I clearly remember thinking ‘I hope he smiles like that again in a few minutes time.’
The first thing he did was put a camera down my nostrils, him and a college took turns in looking with lots of discussion, all in Portuguese. There was a lot of nodding of heads, a few smiles, I just wish I could have had a camera there filming at the time, it would have been interesting to see my lost reactions as I tried to read their body language. My face must have been a picture of confusion.
Next they studied the scans and they seemed to spend an eternity studying the bloody things. To the naked eye these scans look meaningless, they tired to show us and help us understand the various areas that had been affected and cleared, but all Avril and I could do was nod enthusiastically.
The end result was, that I was declared clear of the cancer.
It was gone. Obviously we could not contain our joy, and I hugged Dr. Caba like there was no tomorrow, he seemed a bit uncomfortable with that. After wiping away the tears Caba explained that there was no need to have the cat-scan anymore, which he said was good, because I had already been subjected to enough radiation, it could have been dangerous. He also explained through an interpreter that the next three years was vital, that he see me once every three months, plus I was to have a new scan on my throat and neck every six months. He was so emphatic that he made my next appointment there and then for February 2007. Dr. Caba also said that after the first three years, he would still need to see me every six months for another two years. This would be a total of 5 years that they would have to keep a close eye on me.
He explained that while there was no sign of the cancer what-so-ever, I had to be aware of the real danger that it can come back. It was extremely important that I treated my body with respect. Alcohol had to be taken within reason, it was also imperative that I eat regular meals and maintain a decent diet. Our GP, Dr. Travino is also a firm believer in natural remedies, and the correct intake of vitamins. He also supports my decision to undergo the Bowens Therapy.
Without exception, they have all stated that I must stay away from people smoking, and smoking environments. Both Travino and Caba are convinced that I will prevent any further reoccurrence of the Big C if I adhere to their advice.
How are things personally for me now?
Well it is amazing how quickly you forget how bad things were during the treatment. The mouth ulcers, the severe burns on my neck, the swollen tongue, my throat, my inability to eat or swallow anything, the list goes on.
Right now I have very tender gums which still predetermines what I can and can not eat. They were becoming so sore I had to visit the dentist this week, and he could only tell me that my gums had become very thin due to the radiotherapy, and that I had to be careful and patient. In fact, everyone tells me…”you have to be patient.”
My skin is still very tender, and extremely sensitive. I scratch a lot and still can not use normal deodorants. The scratching at times does seriously piss me off.
I seem to have stopped losing weight and I’m around 72Kg, which means I lost a total of 15 kilos.
I can still produce saliva, but I’m drinking around 3 litres of water each day, which does help. However at night it is a nightmare, my tongue dries up so much my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. Sometimes it gets so bad I can’t breath. However a swig of water does relieve it, but I’m up every hour and a half with a mouth like a dried out old army boot. It is painful. I have tried artificial salvias but none of them seem to help. As I’m continuously told, everyone is different and there are different ways to overcome these problems. For me the only thing, which seems to help is water.
My biggest bleat
My biggest bleat is that I still have a very sore throat and my voice is very croaky, but it is nowhere near as sore as it was two months ago, when I could not even swallow. So in reality things are fine, and I’m getting around more comfortably. I have more energy, and I’ve even booked some golf lessons for next January.
I can eat much more than just soups, but some things are still out – pastry, sandwiches or thick meats like steaks, even chicken and chips is impossible. Stews and rice dishes are top of the menu. It is great to be able to have the occasional beer, although wine still tastes horrible. Vanilla ice cream after meals is also a treat and I eat tubs of the stuff!
The last thing I really have a problem doing comfortably is brushing my teeth twice a day. The toothpaste burns so much it brings tears to my eyes, and because there is so little saliva to thin the paste out in my mouth it makes me bring up phlegm every time, which doesn’t help my throat. Every now and then I sit on the end of the bed feeling sorry for myself, and I tell Avril I don’t know how much longer I can take it. But just the other day she reminded me what it was like a couple of months ago, and just how short my memory was.
I have to admit I hate feeling sick all the time. Six months is a long time. But then one does have to consider the alternative, a wooden box is not that inviting.
If we have managed to prove one thing, it’s that there is definitely “life after cancer!”