ms and cancer

[ganna64]

I have now been dx with mouth and neck cancer. I have to have surgery and 6 weeks post op radiation. To say I am paralyzed with fear is an understatement. Has anybody here had cancer and MS? Can you share your experience? I am 69 years and am not ready to give up yet. Thank-you.

[greaterexp]

I’m so sorry to hear this. I understand your fear.

There are several people here who have dealt with or are dealing with MS and cancer. They’ll have much wisdom to share.

You’re in my prayers for comfort, peace, and healing.

[vollersbranch in reply to greaterexp]

God’s blessings.

[hopeandgrace]

sorry to hear, lifting up a prayer for you now 🙏🏼

[NorasMom]

Just sending thoughts and prayers. So sorry that you're having to deal with this.

[Kenu]

Good morning and stay positive 👍🏼 I was diagnosed with MS and was hospitalized for steroid treatment at University of Utah. They did an evaluation of my overall health and thought I should have a chest X-ray 🩻 and found out that I had a growth disorder on my right lung 🫁 so they stopped steroids. There’s more to the story but after a month in hospital with tests I had surgery and 3/4 of my right lung removed for cancer ♋️. During the surgery I had a surgically induced stroke. I was left in a wheelchair 🦼 but thru struggles and determination I was able to walk again with a AFO and limp. I sold my business and later returned to work as an adjuster. This was back in 1996. In October of 2015 I was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer ♋️. Needless to say they said with treatment they gave me 4-6 months. I had surgery, then 45 days of radiation and 45 days of chemotherapy. It’s been over seven years now and I’m still here again through struggles and determination. Stay positive and find your higher power 🙏 Take care and pm me if you want more info. 👍🏼😉🤗

[ganna64 in reply to Kenu]

I'm so sorry all that happened to you. What hardships humans have to endure. Through 22 years of ms and being in a wheelchair, I've managed to keep it together. But now all I seem to be able to do at this point is cry. I can't seem to stop. I am more afraid of radiation than the surgery. I know I have to get a grip so I can prepare for this journey. Thank-you.

[ahrogers in reply to ganna64]

I am sorry you are going through this. I am a radiation oncology nurse. You will have a team to get you through treatment; nurses, radiation therapists, dietitian, nurse navigator, doctors, etc. My best advice to help get you through is rinse your mouth and gargle vigorously at least every 2 hours. They will give you a recipe for mixing salt and baking soda with water to do this but plain water works well too as long as it is a vigorous rinsing being done. You can alternate plain water and salt and soda rinses, just be sure to rinse as often as you can. Mucinex can help thin the secretions your throat will make to try to sooth itself. Start moisturizing your skin in your neck/face as soon as you can after healed from surgery and continue at least twice a day during radiation (just don't have it on when you go for radiation treatment. Wear shirts with soft collars to not irritate the skin further.I am guessing they will place a feeding tube during surgery. Be sure to use it to keep your nutrition and hydration up, you will feel miserable if you get behind. As long as they have cleared you to swallow food/liquids be sure to continue swallowing something even if the majority of your nutrition is through the tube. The muscles used for swallowing forget how to work pretty quickly so continuing to swallow, even just water, will help.

After treatment is over and mouth isn't sore brush your tongue 3 times a day, it will help you recover taste faster.

We get people (like Kenu) through this everyday, your team will get you through this as well.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions!

[ganna64 in reply to ahrogers]

Thank-you so much for all the important info. I will have to read and reread it many times as my anxiety and fear are off the charts right now, I can hardly concentrate.

[falalalala]

🙏 🙏 🙏

[Kit10]

OMG. I can't offer any experience, but here's a hug 🧸🧸🧸

[bxrmom]

My thoughts and prayers are with you as you enter this new journey. I know we have some members of the group that have have MS and have had cancer. I hope that they reach out to you about their journey/experience. Keep us updated, you are not alone.

[mrsmike]

Prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Stay strong. 🙏

[AquaZumbaFan]

Kenu takes the cake!! He gets the omgosh more than his fair share of what any one person can be deserving of.. but if you think about it his lung cancer may have not been discovered until a later time and even though he had the stroke as a complication he is still here to make us all smile and he just keeps working hard and persevering! I had a melanoma removed from my calf years ago and it just looked like a shark bite was taken out.. now it has filled back in and I just follow up every 6 months.. I have assisted as a student doing radiation therapy for the head and neck.. you will have us all cheering you on!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[Hest321]

Hi Ganna. I realize how scary the word cancer is along with fear of the surgery and radiation. Geez, I thought my life was over when I was called by doctor to tell me my biopsy returned showing cancer cells. Fear is an understatement when it comes to describing all the thoughts that went through my head when I was first diagnosed, along with fear of the surgery. I am praying for you to find peace through this journey AND the best doctors available, even if you have to travel. Best doctors are not always in our own neighborhood….so please ask around. And call your local chapter of the American Cancer Society (they have a lot of info and resources to help you). Research on doctors and your own condition will make navigating this cancer diagnosis better and easier to accept. I had metastatic malignant melanoma and it had spread to my lymph nodes. I didn’t even think I could handle being cut on but I did, (a few times) and although they had me scheduled for radiation that ended up being cancelled after all cancerous cells were surgically excised, (I had radical lymph node dissection as well). Find a good doctor, do your research and know that these days sooo many cancers can be treated, and treated well. With today’s techniques and treatments cancer today is not a death sentence for so many of us cancer survivors. Hugs and blessings and a ton of prayers to you! 🙏🏻 💕

[ganna64 in reply to Hest321]

I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. I'm so glad there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and you are a cancer survivor. Thank-you so much for your response. It means a lot.

[Diva1976]

So sorry, you're in my prayers ganna64!

[JSSimp]

My Prayers are with you during this challenging time🙏🏾

[Brindisi1]

Covering you in prayer for good doctors, healing peace & courage.i think you have some prayer warriors here , powerful

[lbenmaor]

My prayers are being sent to you.

Leslie

[twooldcrows]

many blessings for a great and good results from the surgery ...many wonderful prayers for all to be great and full of lots of fun ....love and happiness...think strong wonderful thoughts before and after surgery for you will be happier .....loves ...

[mrsmike9]

I do understand being frightened! The "C" word scares me silly. My prayers are certainly going out for you. Definitely for healing, but also for peace in your mind.

[Hest321]

spohnc.org/

[Robsmom]

Praying for a complete healing and that you're kept in Perfect Peace.🙏🏾

[309Ygi]

I’m sorry your going through this and you will be safe sound and protected. My name is Tricia in 2020 I got breast cancer after all my surgeries and test said I was good . Well it was mestatic advacive breast cancer . My whole spine and head . I went to chipsa in Mexico Tijuana. Now you can find holistic here in Arizona and few others . Do it now don’t make it your last decision. You do matter and soon than later . Cancer free since Nov 2021. Give all thoughts to divine and go ! Sending love

[stepsforNeeC]

I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this! I will keep you in my prayers. This is the first I heard of this but thank you even during this difficult time for sharing your journey with us. One time I love about our community, we learn from each other!Love and Blessings NeeC

[Amore55]

Sending love and prayers to you. Please know that you are not alone in your journey, we will always be right here for you. Just remember that you can share your thoughts and feelings with us and we’ll support you. May you find strength, peace and comfort in this journey.

[ganna64 in reply to Amore55]

Thank-you.

[Mollyabigail]

I am sorry about your diagnosis, and understandably, you are frightened. I will be sending up prayers for you. Is. 41:10 is my go-to verse. I read it every morning. Maybe it will be a comfort to you too. (((hugs)))

[ganna64 in reply to Mollyabigail]

Thank-you.

[StacyHayward]

that’s really rough!!! Keep fighting and hang in there!!

[ganna64 in reply to StacyHayward]

Thank-you.

[Raingrrl]

I’m so sorry you are going through all this! I totally understand the fear. I had life-saving surgery last year. Some of which was exploratory so I had no idea what would be my reality when I awoke afterwards. It wasn’t cancer but serious nonetheless so my level of fear was off the charts. Hang in there!

[ganna64 in reply to Raingrrl]

Thank-you. I hope you are better now.