Type of Cancer:
Tonsil Cancer

Medical Term for the Type of Cancer:
Poorly-Differientated-Basiloid-Squamos-Cell-Carcinoma

Diagnosis Date:
March 19, 2010

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 4

Tumor Size:
07

Grade of Tumor:
Grade 3

Lymph Node Involvement:
Yes

Surgery:
Tonsillectomy, Lymph Node Removal

Radiation:
yes

Chemotherapy:
Cisplatin (Platinol, Platinol-AQ)

Fundraising Goal:
$10,000.00 for the DeCesaris Cancer Inst. possibly by organizing an annual fishing tournament

What I Hate Most About Cancer:
The stress it put on my family especially my rocks Chris and Jessica they are the reason Im fighting to stay alive

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
If you dont have a sense of humor about this horrible disease you need to get one fast everyone involved will appreciate something to smile or laugh about every day

Things My Supporters Can Do To Help:
Remember that we are not cured when the treatments sre done thats just when it starts we still cant swallow or eat for many months to come so please be patient.

Alternative Cancer Treatment:
Death I guess and that not an option there are fish to catch and deer to shoot !

Cancer Drugs Positives & Negatives:
Cisplatin, Caphosol, E-Mend, Prochlorperazine, Dexamethasone Just started will add later

Metastasized? Where?:
Tonsil and 2 Lymph Nodes left neck

Clinical Trials:
I run them for a living so I don't have time to be in one nothing personal. I think they are great.

Cancer Center:
DeCesaris Cancer Inst. Annapolis Maryland

Tips for others on how to deal with the physical side effects of chemo/cancer:
Keep Swallowing stay hydrated swallow some more stay hydrated

Tips for others on how to deal with the mental struggles of chemo/cancer:
Laugh and when you feel like crying Laugh again if you cant find something to laugh about you'll go insane from this disease

End of Treatment Date:
June 17, 2010

NED Date:
February 8, 2011

Tonsil Cancer symptoms:
Lump on left neck didn't change in size or color or pain level even after antibiotics

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects:
Tonsillectomy (3rd set which I didn't know we had these are below your adenoids and normal tonsils you cant see)which for an adult is a horrible experience however bad they tell you it is multiply it by 5, plus a Grade 1 neck dissection removing 42 Lymph nodes, a muscle and nerve in top front of shoulder that I cant figure out what I need it for, and removal of one of my juggler veins (didn't know I had more than one) 6 Weeks to recover to manageable pain and comfort level

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:
1st one today 26-April-2010 Slight nausea, headache and heart burn so far so good 2 more to go 3 weeks apart. 2nd was uneventful opted for the 3rd one while throwing up in the sink in the corner of my Rad-Oncs offce. Mucus was triggering my gag reflex something fierce by then, was going to hospital getting hydrated 1 or 2 full bags to lessen mucus knew how important that third dose was and made it to the end was glad I did. Didn't have many side effects from the chemo had tinnitus going in so when they asked I said i didn't care I have it already go for it. Was no cake walk and have talked to many others who have had tons of side effects so I guess I was lucky

Radiation or Proton Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:
1st one today 26-April-2010 so far so good but I know whats coming. A tad of anxiety at fist bolt down of goalie mask to table to treatment ....not sure why but got a scrip for a happy pill seeing as how I will have this 5 days a week for 6-7 weeks. Radiation was tough lost ability to swallow. had to learn to swallow from scratch not fun was on the tube for feeding for about two months post treatment, pain pills a little tough to kick weird dreams and stuff remember to take your stool softeners when you take your pain meds..........just one thing you don't need to add to your list of things to worry about if you know what I mean. 18 Months out now can eat alot of things now mouth still doesnt open like it did no big burgers or sandwhiches stilll keeping off the 60 pounds I wanted to lose of the 80 i took off 20 put back on for kicks lost too much. Taste is still screwed sweet still gone chocolate well forget that, acidy stuff, tomatoes, spicy stuff, just gone so Ive learned to eat a new way swallowing is still an adventure throat is much narrower for food and even pills, so have to be careful about everything still. But hey Im still here so the rest is worth it. Its not easy its not fun but its life after cancer every day is better than the day before and not as good as the next day so keep going after all your still around and thats why we fight to begin with. Any questions at all drop me a line