Patient: James Diagnosis: Cancer Of Neck And Throat

Mask and CT scan, same mask used for radiation   Well Almost finished the first week of 7 weeks of radiation. X Ray is the preferred choice and I am getting treated at Austin Cancer Center, about 3 minutes away from our apartment, staffed by a terrific group of people. It's a bit of a challenge heading in for radiation, as the picture shows the mask I get to wear while in treatment. Fortunately, the treatment is 10 - 15 minutes, depending upon a number of factors. To me, it feels like an acupuncture treatment, and I am welcoming into my body the most pure white light to help clear my body of the unwanted visitor. Additionally, I am taking vitamin supplements, especially anti-oxidants, fresh organic juices ground out at home with a beautiful Champion juicer one of Susan's patients lent us. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs play an important role, and we are fortunate to have a resource in Dr He, who works with many cancer patients. I am taking one of his formulas currently and will upload a picture of the herbs. Really, it does not taste to bad. Emotionally, I am doing pretty well. Positive attitude of course, visualization and journalling. Probably a little fatigued, however this was one of the few clues that tipped us off to the fact something was wrong with me.

Dr He's Herbs   Dr He's formula is all about supporting my body during Radiation treatment - basically some of the herbs help to nourish body fluids, some build blood and move blood, 3 are anti-cancer and 3 help to calm the body. I have just started taking them - they don't taste bad!

Here I go   Just wanted to put in another photo of what things look like for me while getting treated. I thank all who are keeping me in their thoughts and prayers in this difficult time!

Hope all enjoyed a Safe and Happy Fourth of July weekend - we sure did here in Austin. Did not stay awake for the firework display over Town Lake, however was awakened by the booms. One friend who went summed it up: "The fireworks were great, but there were too many people, too many bugs, and it was too hot!" Software problems plague the medical sciences industry as well - my clinic called Monday to let me know my Tuesday session would be , well sometime other than planned. NO BIG DEAL. So, entering week 2 and all I seem to notice is a little throat soreness, still have plenty of saliva, which I hope to hang onto ( I have always been a little on the slobbery side) Getting the hang of wearing my mask, not so disconcerting when the techs (who are professional, sweet and very caring) have to mess around with the table settings. Also, if you are a cancer survivor or know one, I found a magazine which is free, called CURE. http://www.curetoday. com is the web address. As well, found another linke to a place called http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org. Have not been to this one, however it should be good. My email is bringitonnow@sbcglobal.net, and I thank everyone for their love and support in this challenging time. YOU ARE ALL THE GREATEST!!! One last plug, take a look at http://www.wearyellow.com, this is the Lance Armstrong Foundation which is selling bracelets, with a goal of 1 million, to raise research money. That's it so far - I am still trying to gain weight, stuck at 172 and my oncologist keeps telling me to fatten up. Love to all James

Thank you everyone for your sweet, positive and thoughtful best wishes during this stage of my life. To be surrounded by so much love and support is, in my opinion, as powerful as the radiation treatments I am receiving at Austin Cancer Center. This week, in addition to Dr He's herbal formula, I have added in MSM and Aloe Vera juice. MSM (Methyl Sulfate Methione) is an anti inflammatory typically used for painful joints. A colleague of ours, who coincidentally worked at the very same Austin Cancer Center, told me of both of these as extremely helpful with the inflammation and associated pain the radiation causes. So far, I have a tickle in my throat, and occasionally my neck looks sunburned (the worst was after a little neck massage work by Kay, I did not realized how tender my neck is becoming). Fatigue is probably the most notable thing, some days I just crash for a couple of hours in a deep sleep. Why not, this is my summer job afterall! So, life is settling into a routine, with my 5 day a week at 8:30am (keeps our days open) treatments, some normalcy appears. Summer is whirling by for me, and hope it is for everyone receiving this. Love to all James

I really look better than this picture!   Well If the gods are smiling, then my bout of stomach flu was well timed as I was unable to make my 8:30 Monday treatment, and when sweet Susan contacted ACC at 8:00 that morning their response was - we'll get him in, and besides, we're having software problems so would have rescheduled him anyway. So, to combat the nausea and vomiting (not a good thing to do in that mask I wear) I rec'd a script for compazine, an anti nausea drug. Sure, anti-nausea, one can not even get out of bed. I was really drugged out. Did I tell you Compazine is an ANTI-PSYCHOTIC? Well, no wonder I felt drugged out ?!?! What is next THORAZINE? Anyway, no nausea, the therapists were great in getting me in and out and here I am, FEELING ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!! Yeah, well the throat is a little tender, and they took some more blood, but I'm feeling pretty good - I think between Sunday and Monday I slept 38 out of 48 hours available to human life, so I should feel pretty refreshed. Not a great picture, the size is limited to 40K, which is a little grainy, but I'm working on it!!

11 out of 40 finished today and a brief meeting with my terrific radiation oncologist - Shannon Cox. Aside from a little difficulty swallowing, and a sunburned look to my neck, I am doing well. Shannon's opinion was usually after 8 treatments some patients are ready to "cry uncle" - he does have a fun turn of phrase. Yesterday, Kay Streich gave me another in her continuing treatments to keep my throat open. Opening up the throat Chakra using esoteric acupuncture is really relieving. Johanna Larson does Reiki on me (Japanese energy work) and of course Dr He's terrific Chinese herbal formula, which I drink daily by the quart! (For anyone who has had chinese herbs, these are prepared raw - does not make too many friends in the "hood"). Did I mention the Aloe Juice? That really feels good too! Finally, but not the least is my loving wife Susan's constant presence, care and love. Aside from food tasting like cardboard, well ....... Thank you all for your love, prayers, support and so much more - almost to the 1/3 way in the treatment and on the horizon the MRI machine. 45 minutes of fun in a tube! If anyone knows someone with any sort of long term illness, please direct them to this great site. It is free, and a terrific vehicle to keep all those in the know! By the way, I do believe in miracles, angels and the combined powers of prayer, western and eastern medicine! My love to all James

Well Last week ended with Shannon (my radiation oncologist) looking in my throat and mouth and pronouncing that "things look kinda red in there!, How does it feel to you?" My answer was "Not to bad actually, I still swallow anything I want, although everything tastes like cardboard. And, have been drinking aloe vera juice, etc." Shannon then offered that "some patients are crying Uncle at 8 treatments, I had 5 on top of that and probably will move through pretty smoothly!" Another Shannon aphorism "YOu'd better store away some nuts for winter James, you need to put on some weight". Did I mention food tastes like cardboard? What will I have today, corrugated or plain old cardboard? With or without something to wet it? Speaking of something wet, a side effect is the death of salivary glands. I check mine constantly, and am happy to report that as of this posting I still have plenty of saliva in there!! Really important for tooth health and just to keep one's mouth moist! Wow, that made my day - being in pain is no fun, and I do have the slightest low level issues, but to think this might be the worst of it, well..... JOY OF JOYS - I get another MRI - did I mention that's like the worst? Well, okay tooth extraction without general anesthesia - hey I don't know what that would be like either as, at this writing, I do have all my chompers intact. Stand by for exciting MRI news, time, place and my overall impression (stick me inside a piece of water pipe and have Blue Man Group start banging on the outside with Jack Hammers for 45 minutes) or maybe I'll just pretend I'm working under a car for 45 minutes, that's the approach I did last time. We're enjoying a quiet Sunday, hoping everyone is healthy, safe, and really having a great summer. If you like the yellow wrist band Lance Armstrong is wearing, go to www.wearyellow.com and pick one up for yourself. Proceeds go to cancer research and victims aid! Ta ta for now, Viva la France and Lance James Your head and neck cancer survivor in Austin!

Wednesday brought the 16th of my 40 sessions and my biggest issues with the radiation are: Food tastes like cardboard, corrugated or plain it doesn't matter, my mouth has some really sore places in it, however I still have plenty of saliva (a plus), my voice is a little croaky and I have a constant sore throat. Did I mention water tastes like metal? What a drag! How can filtered water taste like metal? My oncologyist and his staff are the best - my job is to keep them from getting too serious in that office of theirs. It's fun to go down there now, cause, well I don't know why, it just is, maybe because we're all becoming good friends! Apparently the staff are quite interested in me as I am not exhibiting the usual side effects, as is expected at this juncture in the treatment schedule. Of course, they had not experienced me until I got to meet them , so maybe they just are trying to figure me out? My regime is to combine acupuncture, chinese herbal therapy, Reiki and massage as well as the other great things of positive visualization and more. This is a progressive cancer center, and I would like to see them incorporate oriental medicine as an adjunct to their superb standard of practice. Hey, the chinese herbs probably don't taste as bad as the chemo taste people get in their mouth and really will help! My thanks to all of you who have sent me such lovely emails and phone calls - those keep me moving along at such a nice clip it is really hard to get "bluesy",. I'll close this segment with a quote that hits home pretty well WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO CANCER IS SO 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 SILENCE COURAGE IT CANNOT INVADE THE SOUL IT CANNOT STEAL ETERNAL LIFE IT CANNOT CONQUER THE SPIRIT Love, white light and my best wishes to all James

Shannon the Oncologist - With Lance   This journey has hit the halfway point - tomorrow (which also happens to be my 48th birthday) will be my 20th treatment and marks the halfway point!!! This weekend my voice started to get pretty croaky sounding and it is really hard to be loud (something which has never been a problem in the past). As well, my George Hamilton suntan has taken on a deeper, reddish hue - a striking look ! Sun sensitivity is an issue, so Susan has fashioned a drape to protect my "delicate skin" - I now look a bit like Lawrence of Arabia, or Marlene Dietrich (it is your pick) - the sun stays off my neck and face. Of course, I just might get reported to the Homeland Security people as I walk the dogs in suburban Austin. Jackie, one of the nurses at the cancer center, commented on my weight gain - the look on her face when I told her I was still eating everything crunch around was priceless. "Almost everyone at this time is doing the mashed potatoe and other soft foods". I guess it's those crazy herbs, acupuncture and "miracle". I'll post a picture showing my terrific tanned look on the next update! Thanks for everyone's love, prayers, and best wishes - I could not do this without such tremendous help as everyone has sent me! James

Not a Homeland Security Threat!   Hey, we are now in the month of August and to commemorate this Shannon has added a couple of extra radiation doses to cover my spinal column. These are called "Off the Cord" kind of a catchy name - and the radiation used is lower doseage than what the sides of my face and neck have been getting. I believe it is lower dose because the machine makes less noise - a lower pitched buzz versus a rather obnoxious buzz it makes during my other treatments. One of my neices, Casey, offered that she "wished her classroom time was as fast as my treatments!" How did she know that would help me move through today's session which was 30minutes of clamp down? Speaking of my face and neck, some interesting observations we have made, such as: 1. So, I am sporting a George Hamilton look on my face and neck, well then how did my upper back get that burned look? I must have spaced out something because of course those "rays" are going to travel right through my body , merrily cooking everything in their way! 2. My Sheik picture is now a fact of life, to prevent my pretty skin from burning any further - actually I think this look can go a long way in our infamous Central Texas Summers - or anyplace else. Styling, right? 3. Earlobes really itch when they get burnt, somehow I forgot that. 4. My brother Chris, who was a reactor core technician, offered the following which made me giggle "Extremities are treated with 5 - 10% of the whole body dose" - of course to me an extremity is my little toe or little finger, not my head or neck. Aren't extremities those body areas/parts that if one had to "sacrafice a body part" one would say, yeah take my little toe or finger. Well other hot news, today was "blood day", I should just about have filled a pint for the local blood bank with today's draw. It is very educational for all in the office as I still have a voice (rather croaky, but I can be heard), eat anything I want (although taste is something I can't wait to regain) and am pretty stable weightwise, sitting about 2 pounds off my initial weigh in back in June (how can that be so long ago)> how do those acupuncture needles and chinese herbs work, anyway? Fatigue is the word - so I sleep alot which those dogs of ours really like - I now know the true meaning of "it's a dogs life" - sleeping, being awake for a little bit, eating and then sleeping somemore. Susan's sweet mother and sister continue to amaze me with their love and care. What can I say but THANK YOU ALL for your love, white light and support. Stand by for the "THE FINAL BOOST" I'll fill all in when I know all the details!

Here's the Birthday Boy   August is moving along and so are the radiation treatments. Today marked a FIRST - the first "panel" of radiation treatments to be removed was today, now only 4 treatments per radiation session! This means a little less discomfort in the front of my body and yeah, somewhat shorter clamp down under the mask!! This was treatment number 29 - we are on track to finish this in about 2 weeks - which puts it about two Wednesdays from this one - right around August 25th. Two things really bug me now: One thing I have now is a really, really sore tongue. I can barely move it in my mouth without it really hurting - I asked Shannon about why it is so one sided, as I don't have any fillings in any teeth to block the left side. Some things are such a mystery! Two: I am the proverbial SLUG. I drag myself out of bed at 7am for the radiation at 8:00, then after that I am pretty much zapped - head for home, thank god Susan is driving and maybe read about 20 pages or so and crash for an hour or two. Then, wake for lunch, eat as much as I can and then crash for another couple hours, in time to wake for, yeah, DINNER. WIth all this excitement my weight is staying at 170, it would appear that healing does take a lot of energy - even for someone such as myself who has a hard time sitting still for more than 30 seconds. I would have thought that with my voice pretty much shot, I could divert that energy and use it for something like walking dogs or maybe even staying awake or hammering the keyboards answering emails. Not the case. In fact, Tracy, the delightful phlebotomist who is part of my Tuesday routine (every Tuesday is Blood Tuesday), after today's draw, said "Now you get to go home and go back to bed!" Maybe my response is more a Pavlovian one, I don't start salivating, but instead collapse at home ?!? Anyway, I do get more than my quota of resting in - everyone can count on that! Wednesday is MRI day - a great way to celebrate the middle of the week!! Blue Man Group will be playing the whole 45 minutes, or at least that is what it'll feel like to me. Will keep it short today -

30 Radiation Treatments down, 10 to go   It's Friday - the end of a memorable week of treatments and everything else in my world! Thursday brought an unbearable pain in my mouth, which Susan correctly diagnosed as Thrush - whoa, no wonder babies cry so much if they have this. It felt like my whole mouth was on fire (worse than the fire that was already there from the radiation!) Anyway, another prescription or two later, how about this, now I have 9 prescriptions. And, speaking of pain, I hit the wall and Shannon prescribed me Morphine, which has taken some of the edge off. Don't know if it is the morphine or the fact the thrush is coming under control, but.... We're getting ready for the Final Boost, I have been visualizing that I landed on Planet Cancer. The final boost is what I need to achieve escape velocity from this planet to return to planet Health. Corny, but it works for me! Some more later on! Ta, ta till then

Yes, we do indeed have confirmation that FINAL BOOST is imminent. The calculations are being finalized at this time, and Shannon has assured me that we are definitely looking at 4 treatments to finish! And, to top it off, I do not have a treatment on Wednesday, today!!! I get to play hooky! Additionally, I am being moved to the "brain lab" machine and we'll see how that works out. Meanwhile, my old friend fatigue is tapping me on the shoulder, Until later

Hard to believe it has been a full week since radiation ended for me, last Tuesday makes a full week. Perhaps it is the morphine haze/daze or my penchant for extreme fatigue, whatever I am moving through these post radiation days hopeful of better days to come. Speaking of coming, my thrush decided to make a comeback - and this time we decided to try some ProBiotic bacteria as a cure. Thrush is just (that is a painful JUST) a fungal infection caused by the radiation making an environmental disruption of the mouth. Dissolving three of the capsules which contain lacto bacillus, bifida and a couple of other healthy ones my mouth flora should return to normal. If not, back for another round of Flagyl. The last day of treatment was a little anti-climatic, no extinguishing of flames, or flag throwing or even a boquet of flowers. No, I got to take away my radiation mask and a little yellow button proclaiming "I've done it!". I can't say enough good things about the staff at Austin Cancer Center, however I hope no one reading this will have reason to make use of their fine services! I'll put up a picture of my graduation gifts shortly, until later then... we'll talk about follow-up and what goes on next with me. Toodles

Hard to believe it has been 2 weeks since my last posting and almost 3 weeks since my radiation treatments ended! Had my 2 week follow up with Shannon, my oncologist, last Thursday. His pronouncement was things are still pretty red in my mouth and throat but overall everything was looking better than expected! Great stuff, and even better because He told me that the next two weeks should prove to be much easier with a definitely lessened mouth and throat pain scene. I have been backing down on the pain meds as I really need them, typically, in the late afternoon and evening. Unless I am doing a lot of talking, all that tongue thrashing takes a toll, especially on the left side of my tongue! In the tasting department, nothing is happening to get too excited about and that is really to be expected. Taste buds regenerate about every 2 weeks, so over the next 2 weeks I expect a resurgence in taste experience as well as easier swallowing and all the other requisite eating necessities. Energy level is probably about 50%, I wake tired and fade in the mid morning. If I take a nap or just lay down I am good into the evening, like until 8:30 or so, however usually my preference is to hit the sack by 8:00 - kinda rough on the social life, but I am in it for the long haul! Still chowing down on all sorts of anti-oxidants and supplements, enough to gag a horse! I'll close now, thanks to all for your suppport with a capital "S", love and white light - this has been and continues to be some sort of crazy experience.

Well 6 weeks since my last radiation and things are moving in a healing direction! So far I have seen Shannon, my onc, 2 times and Kent, my ENT, 1 time since the end of radiation and both are very pleased with my situation. So much so they are scheduling me for another of those fun diagnostic CT or MRIs!! I am going to talk about doing another PET as it was the only test which showed where the malignancy was. Besides, it was the most pleasant of the two tests. I was reading in CURE magazine (Available to all cancer patients free of charge http://www.curetoday.com) about a combined PET and CT scan. CT give spatial co-ordinates while PET gives images - combine the two and not only can we find the tumor, we can also target it if need be. I know that mine is GONE! Taste buddies (kudos to Michael for that phrase) are starting to come back - celebrating my sweet wife's birthday we went to a local Indian and it smelled great!! Tasting Susan's curry was superb!! Oh joy of joys, the pleasure of food has returned. Everyday the cardboard taste is diminishing!!! Fatigue is diminishing as well, my need for naps is much less, although I do find that I do best if a only my feet have been put up for a half hour or so. The dogs think that's great, any opportunity to lay around with me is good for them! Physical Therapy started last week, so far 2 visits and what a difference! Myofascial release, trigger point work and exercises to strengthen my neck and shoulders are all working to make me a much happier camper. Neck mobility is much better! I have 2 more visits scheduled this week and then who knows. With all the help and support shown to me, now that my strength is returning, I am giving perspiration and getting inspiration from fundraising for the Lymphoma and Leukemia society. In a nutshell, I am training for the St Anthony's Triathalon, held in Florida next year. Whoa, I've never done that before, but all I want to do is FINISH! If I go, then that means $4600 have been raised for Leukemia research, which is the backbone of all chemotherapy used in cancer treatments. So, if I may be so bold as to ask everyone reading this to cut and paste the link into their browser, you will be able to read some more of what I am doing. If you have a special someone who has or had leukemia / lymphoma and you make a donation, send me their name and I'll write it on my race jersey. Here is the link: http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=JCassel thanks for going to it and for anything you may choose to give! Most of all, love and light to all of you who read this and send me such sweet messages of inspiration - during this summer past those made all the difference to me! Until later James

Yes indeed we have the funtastic MRI and PET lurking on the horizon as a means of filling some of my day and to determine what is going on (I believe nothing) with regards to that cancer. MRI happens Thursday October 28 at 8:25am (in case anyone is wondering) and yes, I will be sedated. Last time I did have headphones and some music, so with the combination of the xanax and music I pretended I was on a very claustrophobic airline flight - I tried thinking of being in a rocket ship, but that was a little too much of a stretch. Now, the PET will be on Monday, November 1 - and that is really not so bad, the machine makes a swooshing sound and best of all the patient, me, goes into the machine feet first - and one passes in and out of the machine. Unlike my friend the MRI, where one goes in head first and stays there, with Blue Man Group banging away on the pipe. Shannon, my onc, has already prepped me for the fact that something may show up. Apparently this is not uncommon and not to be alarmed about. Because, on a subsequent MRI/PET whatever might show up hasn't shown up in patients he has previously treated! He's going to buy me a Starbucks when we get the results. Anyway, none of this changes the 2 and 5 year plan - 2 years is considered cancer in remission and 5 years is cancer free. The celebration for Y2K will pale in comparison to my 5 year one! Thanks again to all for your care and concern. If you have a chance, browse on over to http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=JCassel I am doing a little fund raising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society! Peace, love and white light to all! James

Well It's holiday time and I am sure glad to be here in good health to enjoy it!!! The PET and MRI both came back "Stone Cold Clean" in the words of my favorite onc, Shannon. Both he and Kent (Ear Nose and Throat) prepped me for the possibilty of further involvement - everyone is pleased. So, 3 months down and 57 more to go, with these type of results, until I am considered CURED. I am setting up a website specifically for people like myself, with my story and info on what I did to move through this tough time. That has been part of the reason for this journal on Family Patient - helping others who may be wondering what the heck they are in for. Thank God in my case it all seems to be BEHIND ME! A Holiday wish of love, the best of health and prosperity to all in this coming season and New Year 2005! James

Well, a little time has passed since I last updated my page. To all of you who have showered me with love, prayers and support, thank you so very much. May 16 my oncologist pronounced me "FREE AND CLEAR" at the 1 year mark - which is terrific news for any of us who have had Head and Neck. Still taking chinese herbs, acupuncture and plenty of anti-oxidants. AND, drinking smoothies made from blueberries and ACAI berries, fruit from the Amazon which has an amazing amount of anti-oxidant activity. Our significant years are 1, 2 and 5 years - so what did Susan and I do, but head to the Gulf Coast for 3 days of fun in the sun, a celebration of life!! Next MRI will be probably August, and I will post up when that happens - hopefully I'll do one of the open air MRIs. I will be making a Yahoo group for Head and Neck patients and care givers, this will be noted on this page as well. Life is beautiful, my love to you all! James next time a picture will be up

my teaching photo   Yessiree, I am alive and kicking. Studying for my TeXes exam and starting to teach high school science next August 2009! Thanks to all who have helped me get here, and will pop up more info and pictures. Healthy, strong, and cancer free. James