Company Donate Shop Join

You are here : Cancer Blog > Tonsil Cancer Blog > Brian's Cancer Blog

Vital Info

Name:
Brian (brian)

Member Since:
December 11, 2011

Location:
Centennial, Colorado

Birthday:
August 28, 1960

Profile:
Cancer Fighter

Cancer Info

Type of Cancer:
Tonsil Cancer

Medical Term for the Type of Cancer:
HPV related squamous cell carcinoma

Diagnosis Date:
December 8, 2011

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 4

Tumor Size:
03

Grade of Tumor:
Grade 2

Lymph Node Involvement:
Yes

Surgery:
Tonsillectomy, Lymph Node Removal

Radiation:
Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy:
Erbitux (Cituximab)

What I Hate Most About Cancer:
The way it makes my family feel

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
I can endour more than I thought I could and Cancer still sucks!

Things My Supporters Can Do To Help:
Prayers and advise welcome

Metastasized? Where?:
3 neck lymph nodes

Gift Friends or Family Could Give You:
Lots of support and their love

Cancer Center:
Porter medical center

End of Treatment Date:
May 2, 2012

Tonsil Cancer Symptoms:

I thought I had a cold and a minor soar throat. Went into my doctor who thought I had tonsillitis and gave me two weeks of antibiotics. I took them and they didn’t help. He referred me to an ENT who took one look in my mouth, sat down, and told me it was cancer. He took biopsies of the tonsil which confirmed that it was cancer. He then referred me to the Porter Cancer Clinic and my surgeon. The rest is history…

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Surgery was done December 27th. Removal of right tonsil and neck dissection removed 34 lymph nodes which 3 were were positive. There are some slight issues with my shoulder and arm not having full range of motion but this is being worked out through physical therapy. 7 weeks post surgery and the swallowing is totally back. Had to have 5 teeth removed prior to radiation treatment though and that was a minor setback.

Radiation or Proton Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

I begin radiation February 20, 2012 for 6 weeks.

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Begin Erbitux treatments February 13 2012 for 11 weeks.

Clinical Trials:

I am participating in the Erbitux clinical trial.

Stats

Posts: 25

Photos: 10

Events: 1

My Supporters: 48

I Support: 62

Comments: 470

Brian's Cancer Blog

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is limited.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot end eternal life.
It cannot conquer the spirit.

God Bless

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:42:38 AM by Brian (What Cancer Cannot Do, 8 comments, 263 views)

6 people like this.

Glenn sent you a hug.

Amen!

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 12:30:03 PM by Pat C

Thanks Pat

God Bless

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:02:20 PM by Brian

Amen!

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 2:28:31 PM by Gordon

Thanks Gordon

God Bless

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:02:54 PM by Brian

Thanks for sharing!

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:13:40 PM by Paul

My Pleasure Paul

God Bless

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:01:47 PM by Brian

God Bless you, Brian!

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:55:47 PM by Scottie

Thanks Scottie

God Bless

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:01:21 PM by Brian

You said a mouthful and then some.
What a great reminder of what we get to keep.
Hugs to you Brian, Nicole

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:21:58 PM by Nicole (Lady Of The Larynx)

Absolutely!

God Bless

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:52:59 PM by Brian

Amen is right. Great post of why we fight so hard!

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:49:11 AM by Kenny & Sammy

Absolutely. I posted that so I could be reminded of how important it is. I only hope it serves others also.

God bless

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:00:50 PM by Brian

Love this! Hope you are doing well :)

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:08:51 PM by Private User

Thanks. I hope your dad is doing well.

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:53:41 PM by Brian

Yes! Thank yiu for the great reminder! I hope you are doing well and thinking about fishing!
Much love!

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:44:24 PM by Private User

I’m going this Friday. I feel a large fish in my future:) The last couple of weeks have been kind of cruddy as far as weather goes. It has been beautiful during the week and then rain all weekend. Hopefully this Friday the weather cooperates.

God Bless

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:52:15 PM by Brian

Enjoy the fishing. Even though I don’t eat much fish, I still enjoy fishing in my youth. Mostly salt water.

Posted on May 17, 2012 at 3:40:54 AM by Paul

Treatment is done!

My last Erbitux treatment was done on Wednesday. There is no more radiation or chemo to do. Now its time for the healing. So when do I change my status from cancer fighter to cancer survivor? Theoretically I am cancer free assuming there are no microcells rolling around that didn’t get killed by the radiation. Still, I wonder. I don’t want to put a whammy on my recovery. I think I’ll wait until after my PET scan in August or September.

Overall, I feel pretty good. My skin on my neck still gives me some problems but that is slowly going away. I can’t really taste anything yet, but that should improve over time. My energy is almost all the way back. I feel like I could go to the gym and work out a bit.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I feel like I am a better man having had the privilege to get to know each and every one of you.

God Bless

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:58:01 PM by Brian (Treatment is done!, 7 comments, 464 views)

Lou likes this.

you were a durn good man to start with..tougher n me..i’m so proud of you and the example for set for grace under fire..Praise God

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:06:35 PM by Glenn

Hi Glenn buddy… You were grace under fire too.. You & Brian r amazing:) hugs 2 both of u tonite for some new taste buds! Love ya, Karen xxoo

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:37:56 PM by Private User

Hang in there kiddo, We will both rise up to this challenge. God bless

Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:07:24 AM by Brian

I always considered myself a Cancer fighter before, during and after treatment. After this, you can call yourself anything you want..warrior, hero, a miracle, gladiator, survivor, fighter, strong, humbled, happy and blessed! Be well, Brian.

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:35:07 PM by Paul

I adore this comment ! How cute:) I think I’ll be a gladiator when I’m done LOL!

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:33:50 PM by Private User

Thanks Karen. I hope all is well. You are a gladiator already!

Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:42:25 AM by Paul

I think Gladiator is great! :)

Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:08:48 AM by Brian

I’m going with cancer fighter…those little bastard cells could make homes where we didn’t see. But you can do whatever you like! This head and neck stuff is tough treatment. Me – had 1 year ENT check and everything is looking as good as it’s supposed to. I complained about getting a cold and sore throat 2 weeks ago and said “I’m tired of having a sore throat”....He said it’s the scar tissue, mucousa and dry mouth making it be an inconvenience. He said in 10 years’ you’ll never notice it…kinda tougue in cheek – as a pun. Let the healing begin. Next pet scan July, next appt. august

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:18:01 PM by Pat C

The bastard cells—I like that reference. I think I will stick to fighter, it suits me :)

God bless

Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:11:07 AM by Brian

Great job on finishing. Welcome to the other side. We’ve been waiting for you!

Posted on May 4, 2012 at 2:55:00 AM by Kenny & Sammy

And I can’t tell you how good it feels to be here. Thanks for all the support.

God Bless

Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:11:59 AM by Brian

I’d say survivor, but keep fighting through prayer, diet, exercise and taking good care of yourself and those around you.

I’m so glad your treatment is done and that you actually have some energy left over! Big prayers of thanks going up for you!

Scottie

Posted on May 5, 2012 at 10:34:45 AM by Scottie

Way to go! Since I am just starting treatment it is great to read from someone who has fought the battle. Best of luck as you continue to recover

Posted on May 6, 2012 at 7:54:53 PM by Tim E

Brian: You are awesome in your recovery. You are doing much better than me, and I’m several weeks ahead of you in my recovery. I’ll get my CT/PET in 2 weeks and find out of there’s a reason I’m not recovering as fast as you.

Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:51:21 AM by Private User