| | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 | Hi there. I was diagnosed with stage 3 oral cancer in early September, 2008. I had never touched a cigarette or any type of tobacco product in my life. It was also ruled out that it could have been due to HPV. I had surgery to have it removed from my tongue on Sept 11, 2008. I also had a partial neck disection and had 14 lymph nodes removed. Three of the lymph nodes contained cancer. I started chemo and radiation about five weeks later. It as grueling, as you all know. I won't go into much detail. I didn't eat for about 4 months and had a feeding tube in for over two months. I lost about 60 pounds and it took a long time to recover. I'm now 16 months cancer-free and doing great. I actually gained too much weight back and am working out and dieting to get to my preferred weight. It definitely wasn't fun or easy making it through the treatments, as most of you can attest. To the people going through them now or getting ready to go through them. You can do it. It just takes time and faith. Good luck to everyone and God bless. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 | Welcome to the forum. Every story of someone going through this and coming out the other side gives hope to those just beginning the journey. I'm sure you will be able to give much needed answers and advice. Someone is bound to say it sooner or later so I will. It always help to add info about your dx and tx on your signature line so we all know where you've been each time you post.
David R. 65 yr old male non-smoker, light drinker, stage 3 or 4, depending on which doc you ask, scc rt. tonsil, 2 nodes, 7 weeks radiation and chemo. No surgery. Teatment ended 3/20/08. PET scan 8/08 showed no cancer.
And now, as of oct, 2010, caregiver to wife, Linda, with breast cancer.
May, 2013, Linda diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Enuf already.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF. Its always nice to hear from people who have successfully completed their treatments. You must be doing very well if you gained back your weight. That means you are healthy  When people tell me Im too thin now, I tell them I wish I was chubby. Best of luck with your conitnued good health.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 | Congrats on being cancer free for 16months....praying you have many more to come!
Dx 3/27/09 @ 28 years old with High Grade MEC T4N2M0
Elizabeth, 33, mother of 3 girls (4,7, &8yrs old)
3 rds of chemo(Carbo/Taxol)
Rt Mandibulectomy, rt fibular flap,& rt ND with trach, picc,& g-tube.
30 rds of rads with weekly cisplatin
SCANS ALL CLEAR!
OCF Regional Coordinator of San Antonio Walk
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I offer my congrats too. You are dong great it seems and starting to enjoy food and putting on weight. I'm like Christine. Too thin. I drank a cherry pop and was standing sideways, Hell, someone was checking me as a thermometer.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 | Hi David. I'm glad you are doing well. As for posting what I have been through, I guess I'll learn more as I go along. Thanks for commenting on my post. God bless. Deron | | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 | Hi Christine. I hope everything is getting better for you. I wish I would have known about this site when I was going through treatment. It was like I was so alone. I started treatment around 295 pounds and got all the way down to 235. I've gained almost 100 pounds back now. I'm currently dieting and working out, to lose about 30 pounds. My prayers are with you. God bless. Deron | | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 | Thank you and congratulations to you as well. It's definitely kind of like a fraternity in here. Only we know what it's like to go through what we went through. If it hadn't been for my sister, I don't know what I would have done. I wish I had known about this site while I was going through treatment. My prayers are with you. God bless. Deron | | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 | Thank you and congratulations for being cancer-free. I appreciate you commenting on my post. I think I'm going to enjoy meeting the people on here. It's like a big fraternity here. God bless and good luck. Deron | | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 | I'm very new to this and trying to get the hang of things. Thank you to everyone. | | |
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