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Vital Info


Rod (lmm430)


August 22, 2011


DeWitt, United States 48820


September 24, 1964


Cancer Fighter

Cancer Info


Tonsil Cancer


August 15, 2011


Stage 4


Lymph Node Removal, Tonsillectomy


Radiation Therapy


Cisplatin (Platinol, Platinol-AQ)

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Posts:6
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Rod's Cancer Blog

Chronic Bronchitis!

After a couple of weeks of worrying about a spot that was identified on my most recent CT scan, I found out today that the spot did not appear to be cancerous. Last Thursday I had a bronchoscopy performed and I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. This was a bit of a surprise since I have not had any trouble breathing and have not been coughing. The doctor suspects that I am aspirating when I swollow as I still have trouble eating because of the radiation to my throat and neck. The doctor also indicated that my vocal chords are not functioning as intended, another result of the radiation. This is most likely causing some of my swollowing difficulties. I am on antibiotics to treat the bronchitis and meds to treat acid reflux. Hopefully, that will help and that the swollen lymph nodes will go down as a result. I will have another CT scan in 4-6 weeks to monitor that. All in all I am taking this as good news. I am thankful my radiation doctor referred me to a pulmonary doctor and that they uncovered the bronchitis. Who knows what would have happened otherwise.

Posted on May 22, 2012 at 10:07 AM PDT by Rod (, 6 comments, 1004 view)
val likes this post.
scottie sent you a prayer.

That is awesome, Rod! I’m glad to hear our initial fears were not realized. Take your meds and the bronchitis should be a bump in the road a week from now. (I’ve had bronchitis before.)

Keep working on the swallowing. I am at about the same place as you are post-recovery and it is still a chore for me. I am praying for you!

Scottie

ScottiePosted on May 22, 2012 at 10:21 AM PDT by Scottie

Great, great news!

Private UserPosted on May 22, 2012 at 11:05 AM PDT by Private User
Glenn likes this comment

Awesome news Rod! How was the bronchoscopy? I am having my second Chest CT scan on June 1st to compare the lymph nodes from my last one. If the swollen lymph nodes are still there or larger they are going to do a broncoscopy. So any information would be great! Glad your news is good!

Private UserPosted on May 22, 2012 at 1:38 PM PDT by Private User

ditto from Scotties post..swallowing still no picnic here either..have to be careful what itry to swallow…happy for the good diagnosis..God bless

GlennPosted on May 22, 2012 at 2:53 PM PDT by Glenn

I am glad to hear your diagnosis. Sounds like you are on the right track to getting better. One of myl PET scans after radiation found that I had pneumonia with not simptoms. It was due to aspirating foods.
It appears this is common with radiation.

SandyjoPosted on May 22, 2012 at 8:28 PM PDT by Sandyjo

I’m glad it’s not anything more, but bronchitis is nothing to sneeze at. It’s good they got it before Turining into phneuamonia. Be well, and good luck.

Private UserPosted on May 23, 2012 at 7:18 AM PDT by Private User

Should I be worried

Hi All,

Just had my first 3 month follow-up yesterday. I have been feeling great, stregth is slowly coming back, eating is progressing slow but sure. I had a CAT scan done which they found a small spot on my chest that wasn’t there before. The doctor doesn’t know for sure what it is, possibly a swollen lymph node. It’s about 2cm big. I’m having a procedure done next week where a doctor will go done my throat and check my airway as well as take a needle biopsi of the spot. Has anyone had a similiar procedure? Should I be worried? Could it be my body reacting to all the treatments that I’ve had? Trying to stay positive.

Thanks,

Rod

Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:59 AM PDT by Rod (, 7 comments, 1244 view)
carolj threw a punch at your cancer.
carolj sent you a prayer.
carolj sent you a hug.

Sorry Rod. I never had the procedure done. I did have something show up on the some chest x rsys, ct scans two years ago while in the hospital, which indicating scarring in the lungs, but that could be from many things, and asked if I was a smoker, which I never did. Apparently it disappeared. Good luck with the scopes and biopsy, and take one day at a time.

Private UserPosted on May 4, 2012 at 5:25 AM PDT by Private User

Non on my chest – I had spots on my lungs from pneumonia. I hope and will pray your spots are OK and not cancer related.

SandyjoPosted on May 4, 2012 at 5:30 AM PDT by Sandyjo

Nothing from here either…I am going to do my 1st year post PT Scan in July with the ENT followup in August.

Pat CPosted on May 4, 2012 at 5:31 AM PDT by Pat C

Rod, I would just stay positive that everything is going to be okay and it is nothing to worry about. I am having kind of a similar situation. I was in the hospital for an infection I couldn’t fight off and since they had no idea where the infection was hiding in my body I had all kinds of tests. I had a Chest CT and it showed a couple swollen lymph nodes. My oncologists doesn’t seem too worried about it but we are having another CT scan done in a few weeks to measure the growth of the lymph nodes. If there is growth of the lymph nodes I will be having the same biopsy procedure you are having. My oncologist reminded me that the lymph nodes can be swollen for infection and many times swollen from some of the medicines they prescribe to us. My oncologist doesn’t sugar coat things. He always tells me just like it is so if he is not too concerned right now I have decided not to be too concerned as well. Because stress will only make it worse. I would love to hear about how the procedure goes since I may be having it done in a month or so! Sending good thoughts your way and keep us updated!

Private UserPosted on May 4, 2012 at 6:06 AM PDT by Private User

 I will let you know how my procedure goes. Thanks for you input and positive thougths.

RodPosted on May 4, 2012 at 6:11 AM PDT by Rod

Rod,
Nothing showing up in my chest. Still have something showing in my throat but just waiting to see if it grows any more.
Angie

BillanPosted on May 4, 2012 at 6:45 AM PDT by Billan

I think it is good that the node did not show on you January PET scan & that is a positive thing. But, to worry is normal. We all do… Hopefully , the procedure is easy enough & all is well. Stay positive for now!

Private UserPosted on May 4, 2012 at 12:09 PM PDT by Private User

Rod,

Like Paul, I had something show up on my CT scan on my lungs. It could be scarring from pneumonia or another infection. I’d try not to worry about it.

Thinking of you.
Sarah

AnonymousPosted on May 4, 2012 at 1:05 PM PDT by

Great News

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to share some great news that I received on Friday. I had a second PET scan after my completion of chemo and radiation and the results came back completely clean, no signs of cancer. My family and I are so happy. I had a PET scan in mid-December that was too close to the end of my treatments. The scan showed some hot spots. Thankfully, my radiation doc thought the scan was scheduled too close to the end of my treatments and suggested a second scan that was done last week. I’d suggest to all of you going through your treatments to talk to your doctors and make sure there has been enough time after your treatments so that you don’t get a false positive result.

The people on this website are wonderful. Thank you so much for your responses, advice, and experiences.

I do have one question. How long does it take for my swallowing to get back to normal if ever? I am taking soft foods down ok but most everything has to be in very tiny pieces. Will I ever be able to eat a steak or pizza again? It is frustrating but I keep forcing myself to try different foods and try to see if I can get it down.

Thanks again,

Rod

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 4:36 AM PST by Rod (, 10 comments, 1040 view)
kennymeister likes this post.

I’m so glad they did the 2nd one.
Now for swallowing – It’s gonna be awhile depending on the damage done. Take it slow and look for improvements in intervals of a month…not a day or week. I’m 9 months post treatment (April 28th end) and still have swallowing issues – not real bad just not like the old days. Bread, pizza crust, even liquid still give me fits of aggravation…my quote to everyone in our position has been from my ENT in July – “THE FIRST YEAR IS TOUGH”
Push ahead and work it.

Pat CPosted on January 30, 2012 at 5:00 AM PST by Pat C

Congratulations Rod. It takes time. I’m 10 months post radiation and can eat everything..bread, pizza, steak, but have to drink water with some. I stay away from crackers, too dry. Taste is another issue, lack of salt and sweet taste, but I manage, and i like beer cause of the bitter, but the carbonation burns like soda does. you will have to find foods you like and tolerate. Best of luck, but you passed the biggest hurdle.

Private UserPosted on January 30, 2012 at 5:55 AM PST by Private User

WooHoo!

Private UserPosted on January 30, 2012 at 6:59 AM PST by Private User

Great news! Glad you got such great results.

Private UserPosted on January 30, 2012 at 8:18 AM PST by Private User

Alright Rod! Glad to hear everything is clear. Frustrated is just apart of the healing process just like the physical. Keep experimenting with different foods and textures. Eventually(longer term) tastes and foods come back to you.

KeithPosted on January 30, 2012 at 9:48 AM PST by Keith

Great News!
Angie

BillanPosted on January 30, 2012 at 12:24 PM PST by Billan

Rod, I was done Dec12/11 and I had steak last week, pizza last night. My taste, I’m guessing, is 50%. Both I could somewhat taste and both required a drink to swallow. I’m not banking I will eat dry foods like I did prior to rads but I have read of some patients getting a lot of salivation back, one reporting 95%, although rare, there is hope.
You will eventually get there to some degree.
All the best!

Private UserPosted on January 30, 2012 at 7:15 PM PST by Private User

I think it depends on the stage of cancer and how much radiation you needed. Plus surgeries.
You could check into swallow therapy. I have swallowing exercises on my site if you weren’t given any or you could check if there are some you don’t have. I’m 13 months cancer free (surgery) and 18 months our of radiation. My swallowing is now getting better because I am having both swallow therapy and myofacial release therapy – this help release tight muscles around my mouth and neck. I can eat hamburger if it is fine grind and shaved ham both in small amounts. I cannot eat other meats, breads, pastries and such. I still cannot swallow water – they say this is the hardest – uses more muscles. I am getting better-I cough less and less when I try to swallow water. Now more appears to go down but still not the full swallow even if it is small.
I hope you both do much better than I.
Hugs and prayers, Sandyjo

SandyjoPosted on January 31, 2012 at 6:47 PM PST by Sandyjo

That’s great news. I’m happy the PET scan was clean for you. Good luck with the eating – it will come.

Thomas56Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:58 PM PST by Thomas56

Awesome news! Now get on with your life!

KerryPosted on February 28, 2012 at 6:22 PM PST by Kerry
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