| Joined: May 2012 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: May 2012 Posts: 6 | Thank you! We need all the prayers we can get. My Mom's doctor hasn't discussed chemotherapy and radiation with her yet. I think he wanted to wait till after the surgery. He did mention at the beginning that if the cancer had not spread very much he wanted to avoid doing it at first. Not sure, will find out. | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Loving Daughter, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's diagnosis. It's very hard news to take. I wish for her (and your family) that she has a good prognosis. Being pregnant is indeed a stressful time, in of itself. I'm glad to hear that your preterm labor was halted. Keep that little one in there as long as possible! I was pregnant when I was diagnosed and treated for OC. I have the fortune of living in greater Boston, as well, where we have plenty of top-notch facilities to chose from. Please be sure to get all of the physical and emotional support that you need, especially now. Pregnancy is a time when you should be dreaming of the wonderful things that motherhood will bring. Please try to keep your mind on track, as I know that you are nearly there! This is not an easy task, I know. If your parents are having difficulty getting support, things will be challenging during her post-operative recovery and then radiation, chemo, or whatever they decide on for a treatment plan. Your parents will need all the help they can get. I made a list of contact of people who were willing/able to help. I gave them to my husband so he could keep everyone updated, when I was unable. Also, one of my friends used a support system website for me...she acted as the administrator. Basically, the patient/family in need of help lists their needs...anything from rides to/from doctor appointments to grocery shopping/housekeeping. I even posted needs for playdates for my toddler daughter. The website is called http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/I live northwest of Boston. I'm not sure whre your parents live, but if I am able, I may be able to offer some support. If you need anything, feel free to send me a private message (PM). I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming delivery as you welcome your new baby into this world! Take good care, Kerri
Last edited by Kerri; 06-20-2012 11:08 PM. Reason: missed an entire page of posts...oops!
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11) SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors) L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-) Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx. Various scans since rx ended are NED! Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH. 44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Frankly I would push for rads and chemo - if it's in a node - I would want to have it done. I know some drs take the wait and see method, but ideally you hit it as hard as you can first time out... If you give it a chance to spread it will - and microscopic cancer in the other nodes isn't visible on scans. Chemo and rads is designed to get any strays. Hugs and good luck.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 114 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: May 2012 Posts: 114 | LD, As you know, my mom had the same doctor as yours and he didn't discuss treatment until after surgery with her either. He wanted to see what the lymph node involvement was first. He was pretty sure she would be having radiation to her head and neck, but the lymph node involvement would determine if she needed chemo with it... which she did. I trust he will make the right decision for your mom. I do agree with the others here though, as much as chemo/rad sucks, it is worth it to decrease chance of recurrance. As mentioned earlier in this thread, she will recover from the surgery surprisingly quickly. I watched my mom improve leaps and bounds each day, was amazing to see her walk out of the hospital 8 days after a 10 hour surgery. She is in good hands so I am sure she will do just as well.
I will continue to hope and pray for you and your family!
Amy CG to mom Janet - diag w/ early SCC 8/11-surg w/ rad neck dissect & graft from arm/thigh 9/11-evid in nodes tx 6 wks rads (5/wk) w/cistplatin (1/wk for 6 wks) began 11/11-wk or 2 break 12/11 due to severe side effects-done 1/12- 3/23/12 mets to liver lung bone-hospice 4/7/12-lost fight 4/22/12 | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Katy
What a great daughter you are and what a wonderful mother you will be. All I can add is that since radiation and chemo are possiblities, please insist that your mother's doctors do a basic blood test for her TSH (thyroid levels)so she has a baseline. Without that, her doctors will only be guessing as to what levels she should be after radiation. It's a simple blood test and can even be combined with the ones she has to get anyway. Most oncologists do not do the TSH test until after the radiation when it is too late and basically worthless. Charm 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 | I hope your moms surgery went well today. Keep us updated.
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: May 2012 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: May 2012 Posts: 6 | Hi Everyone! Thank you all for your kind words and advice, we appreciate it very much. My Mom was just released from the hospital today, only 3 days after surgery! So proud of her and happy she seems to be recovering so well. It was not as bad as originally first thought, so the doctor was able to remove the tumor from her tongue and it resected upon itself. They also removed the cancerous lymph node from her neck and surrounding ones to test. I think the surgery was around 5 hours and she did great. She was very talkative on the phone and I could understand every word she spoke. She slurs a little bit, but that is to be expected. She said it is very painful though and is trying to stay positive through the amount of pain she's in. She is also upset because the side of her face is drooping from the lymph node removal, and she wants to know when that will improve? I told her to just give it time, and she will heal. I am just so happy she made it through the surgery successfully and seems to be doing better. I believe Dr. Jalisi did discuss treatment options with my Dad. I didn't ask my Mom, but I'm sure he discussed it with her as well. We plan on following whatever treatment options are the best for her at this point in time. Kerri-Thanks for sharing your story. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to be diagnosed with cancer while pregnant. I am so happy you got through it and had your beautiful baby boy. I'm expecting a boy too Amy-My Mom LOVES Dr. Jalisi! She just raves about him. He did a tremendous job on her surgery and I'm so happy that he's taking care of her. I will continue to keep you all updated when I can. I'm so happy to be here on this board and you all have been such a great help for me during this most difficult time. I hope all of you are doing well and I look forward to talking with you soon. Katy | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 114 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: May 2012 Posts: 114 | SOOOOOOOO glad to hear how well your mom is doing! To go home just 3 days post surgery is amazing! Even though she is experiencing some pain that is only temporary and manageable and her positive attitude will take her so far. I'm so relieved for you that you can relax a little bit. Fingers crossed all the other lymph nodes come back negative! <3
Amy CG to mom Janet - diag w/ early SCC 8/11-surg w/ rad neck dissect & graft from arm/thigh 9/11-evid in nodes tx 6 wks rads (5/wk) w/cistplatin (1/wk for 6 wks) began 11/11-wk or 2 break 12/11 due to severe side effects-done 1/12- 3/23/12 mets to liver lung bone-hospice 4/7/12-lost fight 4/22/12 | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Katy, I am so very happy to hear that all is going well with your Mom. She must be one tough cookie! It sounds like she is a fighter . It's so exciting to be expecting a baby boy! Either one, of course, is exciting! When is your due date? Were you able to have a baby shower yet? My sister was also pregnant with her first child when I was diagnosed and treated. My niece is exactly one month older than my son. I was planning her baby shower and had already sent out invitations, got favors...the whole bit...when the bomb dropped. I got released from the hospital the day she was supposed to have her shower. She refused to have it without me and I still feel heartbroken about that. I will certainly be planning a shower for her second baby when the time comes! I hope you are feeling well. Please keep us posted as you are able! Hugs, Kerri
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11) SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors) L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-) Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx. Various scans since rx ended are NED! Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH. 44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Yeah! So glad your mom is feeling better!!! And did well - the droop may be nerve damage or just swelling from lymphedema - hopefully she will recover quickly. I didn't droop so maybe someone here will jump in to give you more info. HUgs an blessings to you all.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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