It's official - Squamous Cell Carcinoma (throat cancer)

[Liberal_Andy]

Won't know what stage 'till we do a PT scan. That should also pin down whether the spots on my chest CT scan are related to the throat cancer, or a primary lung cancer (which actually would be good, the biggest is so small <1-1/2 cm> it could be plucked out surgically), or something else.

Jeez Louise! They're gonna make the PT scan appointment tomorrow, and we'll go from there. Either radiation alone (6-7 weeks), or in combo with chemo. We've stocked up on liquid multi-vitamins, liquid B complex, leafy green barley mix, and flor essence (essiac tea.)

Tell me I don't know how to have fun!

Andy

[booley]

1. I am sorry

My family has had to go thru things like this

I hope things work out for you.

[WI_DEM]

2. I'm sorry to hear this

but a positive attitude will go a long way. You will have alot of support here on DU and lots of good vibes coming your way.

[Liberal_Andy]

3. Hate to bum anyone out, but ya'll asked for an update

:shrug:

[WI_DEM]

5. you didn't bum anybody out

We are your DU family.

[Liberal_Andy]

6. Thanks, buddy!

:thumbsup:

[Misunderestimator]

4. Will be keeping good thoughts for you!

You've got a great attitude... that's half the battle.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. Sending good thoughts your way!

it sounds like you're taking healthy steps with Vitamins and Herbs. I hope you get well! :hug:

[uppityperson]

8. Hang in there Andy and thanks for the update

Vitamins, good food and drinks, relax (right). Are you getting a tattoo so they can zap the same spot day after day after day? Ask for a nice tattoo, not just a dot.

[Liberal_Andy]

12. Don't know about the tattoo, but if they insist...

maybe some kind of permanent necklace.

[uppityperson]

22. And let us know how it's going

if you get time and inclination.

[erinlough]

9. Your attitude is great

I will be thinking of you and watching for more updates. You didn't bum me out! Good luck with your tests.:hi:

[BikeWriter]

10. All our best wshes to you, Andy.

[greatauntoftriplets]

11. Good luck to you...

And best wishes....

[MollyStark]

13. I just said a prayer for you, I hope you don't mind.

No matter whether you believe in a higher power, the connectedness of the universe or the power of science and willpower, hold onto it.
Bless you and have confidence in the idea of mind over matter!

Molly

[Liberal_Andy]

15. You kidding, I do it all the time!

Especially since Smirky got installed,...."Lord, help us!!"

[Redstone]

14. Hang in there. Let us know how you're doing as things progress.

Redstone

[xultar]

16. Andy I know you'll pull through this cuz if you don't I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!

:hugs:

[Liberal_Andy]

18. Well, somebody needs to get their ass kicked over this!

"You might have heard of me."

[CBHagman]

17. May all your medical staff act in wisdom.

And may you get through this with flying colors. We're pulling for you and will be waiting to hear updates.

Peace be with you.

[elshiva]

19. We are praying for your healing!

Patron saint of cancer patients, St. Peregrine.



"Dear Apostle of Emilia and member of the Order of Mary, you spread the Good News by your word and by your life witnessed to its truth. In union with Jesus crucified, you endured excruciating sufferings so patiently as to be healed miraculously of cancer in the leg. If it is agreeable to God, obtain relief and cure for Liberal_Andy and keep us all from the dread cancer of sin. Amen." (traditional prayer)

Blessings,
elshiva

[Liberal_Andy]

23. thank you, elshiva!

you're very kind.

[elshiva]

81. You are welcome, Liberal_Andy!

[bigwillq]

20. Stay strong LA!

You will beat this. You may go through some rough times but you will get better! Stay positive and follow the docs orders.

I can kind of relate to what you are going through. My aunt starts radiation treatment for breast cancer in a few weeks. The last few months have been a bit crzy for our family with her going through tests and more tests and then the diagnosis.

You have much to live for. Just keep that in mind.:hug:

[peekaloo]

21. Good vibes, wishes, thoughts headed your way.

:hug:

oh yeah, you don't know how to have fun. :silly:

[babylonsister]

24. Healing thoughts being sent your way, Andy! The faster

you get going with this, the sooner the treatments will be over. Stay strong!

[Stormy78]

26. Sorry to hear ...

....Hope things go well with you :grouphug:

[bertha katzenengel]

25. Oh, Andy.

Honey, if you need someone to correspond with to do free writing or to commiserate or give sympathy or love, albeit from a distance, please pm or email me. :hug: We don't know each other but that doesn't stop me from having a heart and wanting you well, and wanting to do all I can for you. :loveya: You are in my thoughts. :hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

28. thank you, bertha!

bookmarked for future "just in case"

[ulysses]

27. chin up, Andy.

Radiation/chemo combination isn't any fun to be sure, but it saved my happy ass. You can do this.

[frictionlessO]

29. Prayers and good humor to you Andy..

Do you like didgeridoo music? I say my prayers via didge, it helps really get the vibe out.

[MissB]

30. Well damn.

You truly do know how to have fun. Hope it turns out to be easily treatable.

[shesemsmom]

31. I am so sorry to hear this

thry to keep a good attitude> I will keep you in my prayers.

[Missy Vixen]

32. This is no good

Andy, I'm sick inside reading this.

You don't deserve this. I hope you have the best medical care possible.

In the meantime, I'm begging those here that smoke: Please. If you love Andy, please quit today.

Julie

[Auntie Bush]

33. I'm so sorry Andy! Sending healing thoughts and energy your way.

[Skittles]

34. keep talking to us, Andy

we will stay with you :thumbsup:

[HeeBGBz]

35. Healing thoughts to you, Andy

I wish you well.

[In Truth We Trust]

36. Hang tough Bro- I want you to post the most amazing success story

about the your struggle for election integrity some day amd publish a book about your joint effort to restore democracy and beat an insidious illness.

Try thinking of your illness as a repug takeover of your body much like evoting fraWd taking over America and then fight the bastards like no other fight you've ever had. You've got people who care and are praying for you Andy. Hang tough brother.

[AlienGirl]

37. Oh Andy...*hug*

Sorry to hear that. I was really hoping it was something else. :-(

Tucker

[tinfoilinfor2005]

38. One more prayer coming atcha...

to add to all the others, and there's more where that came from. And God knows me pretty well since I'm in His ear 24/7.

[eyepaddle]

39. Here's one more,

:hug:

[Elidor]

40. Your attitude is great, Andy

You keep hanging tough, friend. You have a lot of people pulling for you here. You are blessed.

[miss_kitty]

41. A good sense of humour and lots support from loved ones will help

you out through the tough times and give you better odds for a speedy recovery.

It's a long strange trip, man.

-Kat

[flamingyouth]

42. Holding good thoughts for you.

Sending good vibes your way. :hug:

[VOX]

43. Andy, you're a *fighter*. The beast now has a name; its days are numbered.

It is eminently beatable. I speak from experience. Your attitude going in is nothing less than superb.

I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and you have a bit of bumpy path ahead. But you will come out on the other side of this thing, healthier and stronger yet.

Hang in there, and keep punching! :thumbsup: :toast:

[belladonna]

44. Sending all the good karma I can muster your way

Stay strong and keep us updated :hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

45. Thanks again, guys! I LOVE ALL OF YOU!! DU ROCKS!!

Good night!

[Lars39]

46. My best wishes and hugs to you and your family, Andy.

You might want to run the vitamins by your oncologist;
some vitamins aren't recommended to be taken while on chemo.

Tough days ahead, but know that we're pulling for you. :hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

63. Thanks, Lars39

The radiologist/oncologist said the vitamins are fine in conjunction w/ radiology, but i haven't meet w/ medical oncologist (chemo guy) yet. I will consult with him also, if chemo comes into picture.

[ProfessorGAC]

47. Hang In There!

No surrender. Fighting is part of the solution. (I have MS, Andy, so it's not all theoretical with me.) The body is pretty resilient, but giving up just can't help.

Good vibes, Andy.
The Professor

[all.of.me]

48. prayers for you, my friend.

[Beware the Beast Man]

49. Get well soon!

:grouphug:

[StaggerLee]

50. Ok everyone huddle up!

:grouphug:

Liberal Andy we're givin' you the ball.

Everyone else BLOCK RIGHT!

Andy, we'll see you in the endzone.

:hug:

[Technowitch]

51. You'll be in my thoughts and meditations, Andy

Take care and know that lots of folks here are wishing you the very best of luck and good health.

:hug:

[leftofthedial]

52. fight like hell, Andy

fight like hell

[davsand]

53. May your eyes be bright,

May your tail be bushy, and may your nose be cold and wet again very soon!

I have one suggestion for another herbal therapy to keep in mind and that is pot. It can help a lot with any discomfort you have as a result of your chemo. If you do not want to smoke/eat pot, then I would urge you to talk to your Onco Doc about Marinol (the syntheic version.) It is available by prescription, and it helped a buddy of mine get thru his chemo in much better shape.

I hope you don't need it--but it is a not-so-well kept secret that it can help with side effects from Chemo.

Brightst blessings, may your burdens lighten soon!



Laura

[Liberal_Andy]

64. Andy of the bushy tail,...

will keep that in mind!

:smoke:

[u4ic]

54. Maybe you should call Benny Hinn...j/k

Andy, I'm so sorry to hear it. Here's hoping that they've caught it early enough.

You might also want to look into coenzyme Q10 (which must be taken with E) and NAC (N-acetylcysteine).

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Sending healing vibes}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Heidi]

55. Still sending you light.

Take good care of _you_ , Andy.

[jus_the_facts]

56. Keep on keepin' on man..my Dad went in today for a bone marrow transplant.

....he's had leukemia for over 2 years now..he's 64yrs. old...start the chemo and radiation tomorrow then will do the transplant...he'll be in the hospital for up to 5 months...I won't get to see him for the duration as they're in another state and he'll be in isolation anyway...but hopefully he'll be well after this...so never give up...stay positive and FIGHT...my thoughts are with you. :hug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

57. I truly do wish you well through this ordeal

I am watching a co worker battle with prostate cancer right now...and his wife beat breast cancer a few years back..so so far...my vibes work well when required... :hug:

[rockymountaindem]

58. Get well soon!

[Zookeeper]

59. Andy, you have a wonderful spirit and sense of humor...

those gifts will help you through this.

Along with those vitamins and such, I would suggest stocking up on Laurel & Hardy movies, Spongebob cartoons or whatever else never fails to make you laugh.

I wish you a speedy recovery. :hug:

[fortyfeetunder]

60. Remember this is a journey

And this might be the ride you never expected. Hang on for the duration. We're riding with you in spirit!

[housewolf]

61. I dealt with that in 1976 - 77

Squamous cell carcinoma at the base of my tongue, metastisized into the glands in my neck. I did a course of radiation treatment, a radium implant into the primary and surgery to remove the glands in my neck. No chemo.

It's been almost 30 years now, more than half my life ago.

'Course spots on your lung are an added complication.

Treatments are better now than they were 30 years go. I think your odds are good.

Good luck to you!

[Gemini Cat]

62. Good luck!

Sending warm healing thoughts your way! :hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

65. I told Liberal_Wife how great DU is!

Now she knows!

:yourock: all of you!

[arwalden]

66. Good Luck!

It sounds like you've got a good plan, a good attitude, and that you're in good hands. As I mentioned before, you've got some rough months ahead of you... but it sounds like you're ready for the emotional and physical challenge of it all. I'm sure your family and local friends will be nearby to give you support and encouragement as well.

I'll be thinking about you.

-- Allen

[Liberal_Andy]

67. Thanks, Allen...Thanks ALL!

Gotta go to work. Yuk.

[Burma Jones]

68. My Dad had throat cancer two years ago

The treatment was difficult, BUT, he's cancer free for a year and a half now with his full voice. If they give you the treatment option that involves a tube directly into your stomach for nourishment, that's the one that worked for him. I wish you well, and want you to know that treatments do work.....

[ewagner]

69. Good luck Andy

I hope all goes well for you....pulling for ya from Wisconsin :hi:

[CornField]

70. Well... hell...

When you decide to have a medical emergency, you just go all out, huh?

:hug: All my best, Andy. Keep laughing... if for no other reason, keep laughing just because you can.

[Mizmoon]

71. I'm sending you good vibes Andy

and heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

72. Prayers and positive vibes coming your way! *hugs*

[redqueen]

73. Best of luck, Andy...

I'll keep you in my prayers and hope for a speedy recovery. :hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

74. Thanks again everyone, now the fun starts

Tomorrow I meet with the radiologist oncologist. Friday, I meet my dental oncologist, then my medical oncologist. New LA Motto: "Helping to make America's doctors fat and happy." Next Thursday the pet scan. (They call a CT scan a "cat scan", so I assumed what they've been calling a "Pet scan", was really a PT scan. So much to learn!) The Wednesday after that, back to the radio/oncologist. Then, hopefully we can get started cooking some bad tissue.:nuke:

Anybody got a good recipe for pot brownies?

LA

[luvLLB]

75. Good luck, Andy.

[Lisa]

76. Early stage, I hope ...

Good luck, Andy!

[brook]

77. You've already gotten...

some mighty good advice - so I'll just send along good vibes and murmurings to the Spirit for your swift return to very good health.

:hug:

[Bullwinkle925]

78. Sorry Andy.

My husband has nasopharyngeal carcinoma and has been battling it since Jan. '98. He has had radiation to the head and neck area. I can certainly relate to what you are going through right now. Just know that my thoughts are with you at this time.
If I can be of any help - knowledge-wise, or just a shoulder to lean on for you or a family member - I'm here.

:pals:

[sundog]

79. sending some good vibes

good luck to you... hope you're feeling better soon

:)

[sui generis]

80. stay optimistic

doc will probably tell you to lay off anti-oxidants while on the chemo / rad therapy if you go down that road, because they can interfere with the treatment.

Think of this as a pain in the ass inconvenience you're going to get through and don't let it get you down. My thoughts are definitely with you -

-sui

[TXlib]

82. Good luck, Andy, and stay positive!