HellToupee Posted February 22 Posted February 22 Geez this sucks. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers , I’m a semi-good Catholic. You’re one tough hombre and no doubt you will beat this battle
edjr Posted February 22 Posted February 22 get better man! -Pearl Jam Some on this board applaud cancer
jerryskids Posted February 23 Author Posted February 23 Update: Pathology came in yesterday and confirmed it is cancer. There really wasn't much surprise there; I'd have been shocked if it wasn't. I had an appointment with radiation oncology today to set up our plan, but they called and the doctor is out sick, so now I'm seeing him Thursday. Three days wasted as my tumor grows...
FrancieFootball Posted February 23 Posted February 23 1 minute ago, jerryskids said: Update: Pathology came in yesterday and confirmed it is cancer. There really wasn't much surprise there; I'd have been shocked if it wasn't. I had an appointment with radiation oncology today to set up our plan, but they called and the doctor is out sick, so now I'm seeing him Thursday. Three days wasted as my tumor grows... That sucks, bro.
The Elevator Killer Posted February 23 Posted February 23 I hate to hear that Jerry. God's speed in your recovery.
Meglamaniac Posted February 23 Posted February 23 20 minutes ago, jerryskids said: Update: Pathology came in yesterday and confirmed it is cancer. There really wasn't much surprise there; I'd have been shocked if it wasn't. I had an appointment with radiation oncology today to set up our plan, but they called and the doctor is out sick, so now I'm seeing him Thursday. Three days wasted as my tumor grows... Go ahead and buy some sunburn lotion now before your first session, you are going to need it
DonS Posted February 24 Posted February 24 Fuuuuccccckkkkkk. Sending you my best, my throat cancer Eskimo brother.
thegeneral Posted February 24 Posted February 24 8 hours ago, jerryskids said: Update: Pathology came in yesterday and confirmed it is cancer. There really wasn't much surprise there; I'd have been shocked if it wasn't. I had an appointment with radiation oncology today to set up our plan, but they called and the doctor is out sick, so now I'm seeing him Thursday. Three days wasted as my tumor grows... Damn man. Sorry to hear. Hoping for better news for you down the road.
artista928 Posted February 24 Posted February 24 23 hours ago, Meglamaniac said: Go ahead and buy some sunburn lotion now before your first session, you are going to need it They have creams specific for radiation burns. I used Miaderm with Aquafor on top.
Meglamaniac Posted February 24 Posted February 24 3 minutes ago, artista928 said: They have creams specific for radiation burns. I used Miaderm with Aquafor on top. Yea, I know, I don't recall what my wife used I was just letting Jerry know he would be sunburned 1
naomi Posted February 24 Posted February 24 I'm sorry to hear this, Jerry. And apologies if you find it frustrating (I know people can get overwhelmed by others giving health "advice"), but I just want to say that ample (above ample) Vitamin D is really important. Both the UK and the US have recommended Vitamin D levels that are most likely below what they should be. And most labs reference optimal levels with the bone system rather than the immune system in mind. People respond to cancer treatment better when they're getting enough high quality Vit D.
Big Blue 06 Posted February 24 Posted February 24 On 2/23/2026 at 11:42 AM, jerryskids said: Update: Pathology came in yesterday and confirmed it is cancer. There really wasn't much surprise there; I'd have been shocked if it wasn't. I had an appointment with radiation oncology today to set up our plan, but they called and the doctor is out sick, so now I'm seeing him Thursday. Three days wasted as my tumor grows... #####! Sorry to hear this brother. and the DOCTOR is out sick? If you can show up, I think he can too.
artista928 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 I 18 hours ago, Big Blue 06 said: #####! Sorry to hear this brother. and the DOCTOR is out sick? If you can show up, I think he can too. You want a sick dr to show up, even if he something like the flu?? Tbh, starting rads 4 days later isn't a big thing. I was 2 months late for surgery because my surgeon & plastic surgeon's schedule didn't match up.. 1 month late with chemo due to infection of the drainage areas & 1 week late to start rads due to pneumonia. My TNM didn't change & I had an aggressive fast growing tumour.
Big Blue 06 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 21 minutes ago, artista928 said: I You want a sick dr to show up, even if he something like the flu?? Tbh, starting rads 4 days later isn't a big thing. I was 2 months late for surgery because my surgeon & plastic surgeon's schedule didn't match up.. 1 month late with chemo due to infection of the drainage areas & 1 week late to start rads due to pneumonia. My TMN didn't change & I had an aggressive fast growing tumour. Fair enough and a fine point. It just struck my ear funny that the doctor called out sick after what Jerry was talking about.
Big Guy Posted February 25 Posted February 25 On 2/23/2026 at 9:42 AM, jerryskids said: Update: Pathology came in yesterday and confirmed it is cancer. There really wasn't much surprise there; I'd have been shocked if it wasn't. I had an appointment with radiation oncology today to set up our plan, but they called and the doctor is out sick, so now I'm seeing him Thursday. Three days wasted as my tumor grows... praying for you man!
jerryskids Posted February 25 Author Posted February 25 22 hours ago, artista928 said: They have creams specific for radiation burns. I used Miaderm with Aquafor on top. 22 hours ago, Meglamaniac said: Yea, I know, I don't recall what my wife used I was just letting Jerry know he would be sunburned 17 hours ago, naomi said: I'm sorry to hear this, Jerry. And apologies if you find it frustrating (I know people can get overwhelmed by others giving health "advice"), but I just want to say that ample (above ample) Vitamin D is really important. Both the UK and the US have recommended Vitamin D levels that are most likely below what they should be. And most labs reference optimal levels with the bone system rather than the immune system in mind. People respond to cancer treatment better when they're getting enough high quality Vit D. Thanks guys, I appreciate all of the suggestions. Artista, your recs during my chemo were invaluable (I've passed them on to others) and thanks for the reminder of Miaderm, which I used during my last radiation, probably on your rec. I just ordered a new tube. Megla, I appreciate any insights you have from your wife's experience. Naomi, non need to apologize. I probably get "enough" Vitamin D, as I eat all of the foods that have it (red meat, egg yolks, salmon, etc.) and I spend a lot of time outdoors in Phoenix. But I just looked it up and see that there are benefits in both immune response and elimination of irradiated tumor cells. I'll definitely ask the doctor about it. Also Artista, I appreciate the comments about the delay not mattering. The onc said the same thing 5 years ago when I was about to start chemo, but was going on a trip for a week. Thing is, I'm sensitive because back before my laryngectomy, I took some time to mull over the decision to have the surgery (it was life changing of course, and I could have tried chemo/radiation) which caused maybe a two week delay in surgery. The tumor was in my neck, and I could feel and see the size difference in that time. I'll always wonder if I had just accepted the surgery, if I could have avoided metastasis. Couple that with the size of this one: it is 2.6 cm, which is 2.5x larger than the largest one they targeted with chemo. And that is misleading, because diameter is a linear measurement, but a tumor is 3D, so you need to cube 2.5 which is 15X the volume of that earlier one. And it is growing quickly, it didn't show on the CT scan 3 months ago. IMO, every increase in size, even if they can get it, is a larger part of my lung which needs to get pulverized. Which reminds me, I need to ask the rad onc about lung function after all of this. Hopefully the doc is feeling better and I'll meet him tomorrow. 2
artista928 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 20 minutes ago, jerryskids said: Thanks guys, I appreciate all of the suggestions. Artista, your recs during my chemo were invaluable (I've passed them on to others) and thanks for the reminder of Miaderm, which I used during my last radiation, probably on your rec. I just ordered a new tube. Megla, I appreciate any insights you have from your wife's experience. Naomi, non need to apologize. I probably get "enough" Vitamin D, as I eat all of the foods that have it (red meat, egg yolks, salmon, etc.) and I spend a lot of time outdoors in Phoenix. But I just looked it up and see that there are benefits in both immune response and elimination of irradiated tumor cells. I'll definitely ask the doctor about it. Also Artista, I appreciate the comments about the delay not mattering. The onc said the same thing 5 years ago when I was about to start chemo, but was going on a trip for a week. Thing is, I'm sensitive because back before my laryngectomy, I took some time to mull over the decision to have the surgery (it was life changing of course, and I could have tried chemo/radiation) which caused maybe a two week delay in surgery. The tumor was in my neck, and I could feel and see the size difference in that time. I'll always wonder if I had just accepted the surgery, if I could have avoided metastasis. Couple that with the size of this one: it is 2.6 cm, which is 2.5x larger than the largest one they targeted with chemo. And that is misleading, because diameter is a linear measurement, but a tumor is 3D, so you need to cube 2.5 which is 15X the volume of that earlier one. And it is growing quickly, it didn't show on the CT scan 3 months ago. IMO, every increase in size, even if they can get it, is a larger part of my lung which needs to get pulverized. Which reminds me, I need to ask the rad onc about lung function after all of this. Hopefully the doc is feeling better and I'll meet him tomorrow. Not minimizing your fear because I was stressed about all my delays. I forgot one, when my insurance accidently dropped me just before my last chemo & it took a month to get it fixed. Try not to go to the what ifs. That can eat you up. My what if is had I gone in for a check when the sharp pains had started many months before, would I had been at a lower stage & not needed the harshest chemo (one is nick named the red devil). The decision you made at the time was the right one for you. Best wishes for tomorrow. You have a lot of supporters here & irl manifesting the best for you. For me, that was half the battle since I kept it all from my family & only told my 1 bro & my bff. And yes, it was me tooting miaderm & using ice packs on your hands & feet to help prevent neuropathy. You got this. 1
jerryskids Posted February 25 Author Posted February 25 24 minutes ago, artista928 said: Not minimizing your fear because I was stressed about all my delays. I forgot one, when my insurance accidently dropped me just before my last chemo & it took a month to get it fixed. Try not to go to the what ifs. That can eat you up. My what if is had I gone in for a check when the sharp pains had started many months before, would I had been at a lower stage & not needed the harshest chemo (one is nick named the red devil). The decision you made at the time was the right one for you. Best wishes for tomorrow. You have a lot of supporters here & irl manifesting the best for you. For me, that was half the battle since I kept it all from my family & only told my 1 bro & my bff. And yes, it was me tooting miaderm & using ice packs on your hands & feet to help prevent neuropathy. You got this. My biggest what-if is similar: I should have had my growing cough checked sooner; had it been found sooner I could have had simpler treatments and avoided the laryngectomy most likely. Then again, this was spring/summer of 2020 when Covid was blossoming. Face to face medical appointments were hard to get, and had I just complained about the cough, they probably wouldn't have found it. It wasn't until I started coughing blood -- the ENT still wanted to do a Zoom call, and I said no, I need someone to look in my focking throat and see what's going on. So it's hard to say how much I could have accelerated it. Thanks again for everything. 1
posty Posted February 25 Posted February 25 On 2/23/2026 at 11:42 AM, jerryskids said: Update: Pathology came in yesterday and confirmed it is cancer. There really wasn't much surprise there; I'd have been shocked if it wasn't. I had an appointment with radiation oncology today to set up our plan, but they called and the doctor is out sick, so now I'm seeing him Thursday. Three days wasted as my tumor grows... Man, this really sucks... The Geek Club is pulling for you to kick its ass again...
artista928 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 52 minutes ago, jerryskids said: My biggest what-if is similar: I should have had my growing cough checked sooner; had it been found sooner I could have had simpler treatments and avoided the laryngectomy most likely. Then again, this was spring/summer of 2020 when Covid was blossoming. Face to face medical appointments were hard to get, and had I just complained about the cough, they probably wouldn't have found it. It wasn't until I started coughing blood -- the ENT still wanted to do a Zoom call, and I said no, I need someone to look in my focking throat and see what's going on. So it's hard to say how much I could have accelerated it. Thanks again for everything. They tell you if something feels off get in asap, yet they don't move fast themselves. Sometimes if you feel it's really off, you need to exaggerate what you are experiencing to get in sooner or like you did, stand your ground. There is a yt channel that may be helpful to you or others called "The Patient Story." People who have or had cancer do interviews about their journies. My friend did one on his stage 4 stomach cancer. It's a great place to especially put out the lesser advertised / known cancers to share what the symptoms or lack there of were, & how they got through it. I had breastcancer.org which has the best community forums & info but this channel would have been nice to have as well at that time. 1
BeenHereBefore Posted February 26 Posted February 26 So sorry to hear that Jerry but you know what it takes to beat it again. Many Prayers for you!
MTSkiBum Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Best of luck, hopefully they get in to see you quickly and have a treatment available.
cmh6476 Posted February 26 Posted February 26 22 hours ago, posty said: Man, this really sucks... The Geek Club is pulling for you to kick its ass again... +1
TBayXXXVII Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Sorry to hear @jerryskids. Hope you make it through again.
BeenHereBefore Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Jerry I was so sorry to hear this and my bad for not addressing this sooner, You got this beat again and many prayers to you and your family and God Bless Buddy!!
jerryskids Posted March 17 Author Posted March 17 Thanks again everyone for the kind words and suggestions. I picked up the Miaderm @artista928, although I might not have much irritation since the radiation is targeting deeper inside. Better safe than sorry! Also @naomi, after looking into it, I added a Vitamin D supplement. On this latter part, the concern with supplements is antioxidants, things like Vitamin A, C, E. These help your cells recover, which also includes cancer cells, and we don't want that during radiation. Radiation starts tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/18) and goes through next Tuesday on weekdays. Since I may have some fatigue, I figure I've got a pretty good medical reason to make a 4-day ass print on the sofa and watch March Madness. 3
Meglamaniac Posted March 17 Posted March 17 10 minutes ago, jerryskids said: Thanks again everyone for the kind words and suggestions. I picked up the Miaderm @artista928, although I might not have much irritation since the radiation is targeting deeper inside. Better safe than sorry! Also @naomi, after looking into it, I added a Vitamin D supplement. On this latter part, the concern with supplements is antioxidants, things like Vitamin A, C, E. These help your cells recover, which also includes cancer cells, and we don't want that during radiation. Radiation starts tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/18) and goes through next Tuesday on weekdays. Since I may have some fatigue, I figure I've got a pretty good medical reason to make a 4-day ass print on the sofa and watch March Madness. Gonna be wearin a Zona hat?
Fireballer Posted March 17 Posted March 17 1 hour ago, jerryskids said: Thanks again everyone for the kind words and suggestions. I picked up the Miaderm @artista928, although I might not have much irritation since the radiation is targeting deeper inside. Better safe than sorry! Also @naomi, after looking into it, I added a Vitamin D supplement. On this latter part, the concern with supplements is antioxidants, things like Vitamin A, C, E. These help your cells recover, which also includes cancer cells, and we don't want that during radiation. Radiation starts tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/18) and goes through next Tuesday on weekdays. Since I may have some fatigue, I figure I've got a pretty good medical reason to make a 4-day ass print on the sofa and watch March Madness. Ts&Ps Skids
MikeMatt Posted March 17 Posted March 17 Good luck Jerry. You know we are all pulling for you. Hey everyone else. I call dibs on his wife. Kick it’s ass Skids.
jerryskids Posted March 17 Author Posted March 17 3 hours ago, Meglamaniac said: Gonna be wearin a Zona hat? I would never wear such a heinous thing. That being said, I might root for them. It's been kinda nice seeing the ex-Pac 12 schools go into the Big 12 and wreak some havoc. 1
artista928 Posted March 18 Posted March 18 23 hours ago, jerryskids said: Thanks again everyone for the kind words and suggestions. I picked up the Miaderm @artista928, although I might not have much irritation since the radiation is targeting deeper inside. Better safe than sorry! Also @naomi, after looking into it, I added a Vitamin D supplement. On this latter part, the concern with supplements is antioxidants, things like Vitamin A, C, E. These help your cells recover, which also includes cancer cells, and we don't want that during radiation. Radiation starts tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/18) and goes through next Tuesday on weekdays. Since I may have some fatigue, I figure I've got a pretty good medical reason to make a 4-day ass print on the sofa and watch March Madness. I also remember drinking tons of water for hydration & boosting my protein intake. Best wishes!
Caine Mutiny Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Best of luck Jerry! If you’re going to root for any former PAC-12 team, consider UCLA. Had a mediocre season but they appear to have finally bought into Cronin’s coaching and just might be primed for a deep run.
jerryskids Posted March 18 Author Posted March 18 2 hours ago, artista928 said: I also remember drinking tons of water for hydration & boosting my protein intake. Best wishes! Thanks, great minds think alike! I always try to stay hydrated, but I've upped my intake since the bad scan, and I stopped all alcohol last week. I use an app on my Garmin watch to track water, targeting 96 oz per day. I need to drink a lot when I eat because of my throat from the laryngectomy, so it isn't that hard. Although I pee a lot during the night. When I did chemo 5 years ago, I did pretty much keto, with high protein and fat. My particular type of cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, feeds on glucose, so I figure I'm attacking it two ways. I wouldn't say I'm going full keto this time around, but I have reduced carbs and anything with a high glycemic index, and I picked up some David high protein bars yesterday to supplement during treatments. The blueberry pie ones are really yummy. Heading up to Mayo in about 20 minutes for my first treatment. 1
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