Head and Neck Cancer: A Survivor’s Guide to Managing Treatment

After seeking treatment for a sore throat and a lump on his neck, Joe did not expect the Johns Hopkins head and neck cancer specialists to give him a two-year job assignment - that of fighting oropharyngeal cancer. Joe’s treatment plan consisted of radiation and chemotherapy, and with it came the expected side effects - loss of hair, appetite and taste, as well as dehydration. Cancer-free for more than four years, Joe shares his treatment experience, as well as the three rules that guided him through his recovery. Learn more at www.hopkinsmedicine.org/oto/h... #HeadAndNeckCancer #JohnsHopkins #CancerSurvivor

[@rziepke79]

Im 42. Never done drugs or even smoked.i have been home only a few months now.i had throat cancer.and i have no idea why? Im a straight edger.its been a year. Since last xmas time.thanks for posting your story. Andy from CA

[@Kricket2020]

I hope you are doing well, Andy, I’m sure it’s a journey you didn’t want to take.

[@tammytammyr]

🙏 prayers for you

[@irenasmart183]

Thank you for your sharing of this issue... You message means so much to so many.... Brave face of difficult times yet you are inspirational with your words of your journey..... Happy to hear you have better health these days.... Long may that continue.... ❤

[@jeffives]

Great video . I also had the cancer at base of the tongue and spread to limth node . Had the cancer removed from base of tongue and both tonsils removed.....had a peg fitted the 6 weeks off radiotherapy and 2 hits of chemotherapy lost all taste . Lost over 2 stone in weight and also dehydrated about 3 times. I was giver the all clear last month but 7 months after the last treatment I can't make enough saliva....dont know if it will ever come back so eating things like chicken/bread and other dry food is a no no basically also my love of sweets (candy)...cake are also a no no ....sweet things are very very sweet. I just pray I get back to a good quality off life as things are a little hard at the moment. Thanks for this video.

[@Team-fp1lt]

Hello Jeff I'm from India and suffering with same problem,,, I hav completed my treatment in 2021 August But still now I'm not able to eat spicy foods and dry foods,, totally my face little bit shape outed bcoz of radiation,,,

[@rziepke79]

Hi there i read ur msg and i am a cancer survivor. I have the same exact problem my mouth is always dry and any hard foods like u said chickem breads ans event steak and breads afr very hard to eat or swallow. I hope ur doing good. Sending blessings .

[@tammytammyr]

​@@rziepke79my husband is going through head and neck cancer months of severe pain.treatments r not working radiation destroyed his saliva glands very hard to eat.poor guy keeps the faith.i pray for all going through terrible times. Cancer is such a fight

[@hajarelsayed20]

@@tammytammyrhas he improved over the last couple of months ? And if so what has he used or consumed for the improvement? My grandma is going through the same thing and it’s been a year

[@xarasattar4407]

Pray for my brother please 😔

[@giveitwhatyouvegot]

🙏

[@jaimerenee]

How is your brother doing? Hope he’s doing ok

[@donnabarnes540]

How’s he doing ?

[@TheAutisticFrog]

How’re they doin?

[@foodanddrink333]

Hello Brother Survivor: I had the same diagnosis, treatments and outcome. (With the addition of lung cancer). Going on three years post diagnosis. I savor, feel grateful, keep appointments including the scans. I eat (Mostly) the right foods and walk daily, 1-2 miles at minimum. I forgive myself quickly when I slip in some way. But I still worry too much; is that a sore throat or something more ominous? Is that a lump or my imagination? Haven't joined a support group because I hope to make cancer and remission background noise like music on an elevator but having trouble reducing my preoccupations. I wish the best for you, Joe. BTW, a lot of optimism coming out of current cancer research; not just burn, poison and cut, but breakthroughs on the cellular and molecular levels, too!

[@timmytimers9511]

Good information Joe. I finished my chemo/radiotherapy 7 weeks ago. I have or had hopefully sinus cancer, it spread to 1 limth node.. Still can't accept certain foods..the stronger the taste, the less I can accept.. Maybe I'm trying too hard..but never lost my sense of humour.

[@crenaud641]

Sending love

[@Team-fp1lt]

Hello Timmy,,How are you feeling now,,I'm from India,,I had done 30 Radiation ond 6Chemos,,,in 2021 August I have completed my treatment,,,But still now I can't eat spicy foods,,,and dry foods,,,,

[@timmytimers9511]

@@Team-fp1lt hi buddy.. Feeling good...but can't drink coffee, or entertain spicy food..so curry has to be mild..or coconut milk added..but feel my indian curry making days are over for now.. Still drink loads of tea, and water with food is essential 👌. Love my food being a chef for 18 years...but still prefer plain food..but with lots of salt and black pepper..hope you are ok and recovering..patience is advised..every day gets better.. Regards Tim

[@abhi4733]

@@Team-fp1lt where was you cancer ? Please help

[@williamsafari6437]

good video joe hope you still FIGHTING FIT

[@ebb.D]

God bless you.. congratulations for being so strong

[@martina-xz7wm]

I am a tonsille cancer survivor since nearly 4years. It had spread to 6 limth nodes. I had surgery and30 times of radiotherapy .And 5 times of chemotherapy.

[@abhi4733]

Helo cemo ke bad kya hota h ?

[@crenaud641]

So after 5 years now 😃 off remission I am 56 years old too. I feel great just a big change on my energy level. If I go for a bicycle ride for an hour or two it takes me two days to feel strong again does that happen to you?

[@timmytimers9511]

Haven't got a bike..but may invest in one due to fuel shortage..lol But do feel tired sometimes..early evening my eyes are closing...but not every day...

[@user-sh1kj9bw9n]

i diagnose oropharyngeal cancer after my laboratory test, examin of my biopsy. and now im waiting for my treatment Chemotherapy with Radation theraphy.

[@michaelmckee1860]

I'm in the exact same boat--start treatments in 2 weeks. I will not lie I'm scared to death of this.

[@CharDoge]

@@michaelmckee1860 How have you both been? prayers for you

[@Tazdingo01]

Just got diagnosed with stage 3 head and neck cancer. Will start chemo and radiation very soon. Hoping for good results.

[@abhi4733]

@@michaelmckee1860 how are you now ? Did it worked? Please help

[@abhi4733]

@@Tazdingo01 how are you now ? Please help

[@dinaobillo1212]

Hello sir. I am a nasopharyngeal cancer survivor. I am with my treatment. I undergo 7 chemotherapy cycles and 35 radiation sessions. The doctor declared that I was cancer-free already. But the problem is my throat is damaged and I have difficulties talking and I can't eat through my mouth now. 😢😢can you suggest some therapy for me to fix my mouth and throat?

[@maxxdog2]

I got this diagnosis 2 weeks ago, very helpful. How do I connect with other survivors?

[@rziepke79]

I have had cancer for year and a half. I have only been home a few months.throat cancer.that nrought me to nocardia ifection.hope your doing better.andy from ca

[@donnabarnes540]

I was diagnosed 10 months ago . Treatment has been successful. Connect with me if you like 😊

[@TheAutisticFrog]

My uncle Donald is apparently the person whos lived the longest after neck and throat cancer, and had 150 percent more radiation than he shouldve had,

[@TheAutisticFrog]

But that was 15 years ago, and hes cancer free

[@TheAutisticFrog]

Yeah, the rads fucked his jaw and throat, but hey, hes alive

[@chazwyman8951]

Does anyone have any advice about chronic neck pain caused by radiation years after treatment?

[@chazwyman8951]

@Yvonne McClaren I've applied for some physio, but will have to wait. Not a big priority on the NHS.

[@TheAutisticFrog]

Dunno, all i know is my uncle Don has trouble with it

[@TheAutisticFrog]

i’ll try to remember to ask him what he does next time he brings ice cream over

[@juliamcintyre5012]

I had cancer of the nasopharynx 20 years ago and all is well except i can't booze or smoke - suits me - but i can't - in this 21st century - find decent throat sweets to suck-as honey and lemon are too strong, TYRROZETS please come back, my throat is so bad it makes me cry...

[@dinaobillo1212]

Hi. I had nasopharyngeal cancer but I am okay now after undergoing 7 cycles of chemotherapy and 35 sessions of radiations. How was your throat? I am 2 years cancer free now but my mouth is not okay. I can speak clearly and I can't eat using my mouth until now. I want to live normal and I want to work again. But I can't because I can't apply to for a job because of my speech difficulties. Do you have PEG before too?

[@BrandyJames-ow6do]

I am a 22 year survivor of nasopharyngeal cancer. I went through chemo and radiation. I would love to connect with some survivors and talk about the late term side effects of this awful cancer. I am currently dealing with dry mouth, limited range of motion in my neck and jaw. And over the last 10 years I have developed arm weakness that is getting worse with time. I've been told it's due to the radiation that was applied to my neck (lymph nodes) during treatment. It has affected the nerves in my neck and cervical spine causing arm and shoulder weakness. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this? It's hard to connect with long term survivors of this.