| | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) |  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 | Hello and welcome. I can give you an example (my own) of the timeline involved. Things happen very slowly until the full diagnosis is in and then it happens all at once. I first saw my family doc about the lump on my neck on nov 20th or so 2007. she sent me to an ENT who saw me around the end of the nmonth and did a needle biopsy. It took until dec 22nd to know for sure that it was SCC but unknown primary so had to set up an exploratory surgery of the whole throat area. 1 1/2 weeks later found out it was right tonsil. No surgery was recommended but talked about radiatuion/chemo but had to see dentist first to make sure my teeth could handle the radiation. Didn't start treatments til feb 1 2008. Definately will try your patience. Once the enemy is known, you just want to get after it. Best of luck to you in this trying time.
edited for misspellings.
Last edited by Deejer47; 02-17-2010 12:44 PM.
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: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 | Thanks David.I think not knowing is the worst part isn't it?
The help and support from everyone on here makes a big difference.Hope you are well?
Mri on pituitary - incidental mid line tongue lesion found
Referred to ENT surgeon
Suspects Lingual Thyroid sent for 123 iodine scan - said dont need surgery or biopsy.
Follow up:Not a lingual thyroid, now have to have a tongue biopsy on Monday 15th March 2010.
Get the results Monday 30th March 2010
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | David,
One of the things we do is push to move up testing dates and then pester our doctors for results. Nobody likes the waiting, or should I say the ten thousand thoughts that go through your head (mostly bad ones)while you wait for the unknown to become known.
Kelly
Kelly
Male
48, SCC (Soft Palet) Rt.,
Stage 1, T3n0m0,
Dx, 8-09, Start IMRT 35 9-2-09 end 10-21-09
04-20-10 NED
8-11 recurrence, node rt. neck N2b
10-11 33 IMRT w/chemo wkly
3-12-12 PET - residual cancer
4-12 5 treatments with Cyberknife & Erbitux
6-19-12 Pet scan CLEAR
12-3-12 PET - CLEAR
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 |
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Really, it is just something that you have to go thru and have no control over. It needs positive thoughts to keep your mind elsewhere. I still have to be busy doing something or I would think to much.
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: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | David, there is absolutely no advantage to postponing the biopsy for 2 to 3 weeks. He doesn't "think" it's cancer, but you want to know that it's "not" cancer.
Yell, scream and do anything you want to get that biopsy done ASAP.
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 | Hi Jerry,
Exactly...he thought it was a lingual thyroid and it wasn't so how can I be certain he's right about it not being cancer if he was wrong about that.
I'm trying to keep busy and will focus more on positive thoughts.
Thanks,
Dave.
Mri on pituitary - incidental mid line tongue lesion found
Referred to ENT surgeon
Suspects Lingual Thyroid sent for 123 iodine scan - said dont need surgery or biopsy.
Follow up:Not a lingual thyroid, now have to have a tongue biopsy on Monday 15th March 2010.
Get the results Monday 30th March 2010
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,925 Members13,103 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
