| | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) |  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Hi, Kerri
they that probably told you that it takes adults longer to recover from this surgery than kids, and that you will have to take it easy with lifting (your toddler) for a while. Please make sure you call in all your favors and get good help with the child care while you recover. I am sure that you will feel much, much better with the tonsils gone and healed!
Maria
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 | Kerri,
I had my tonsils out at age 20 back when dinosaurs roamed, sort of. But even then they were not taking out tonsils routinely, and I had to jump some hoops for it to happen. I had multiple bouts of tonsillitis, missed days of college classes which was not a good idea, and there was something about one of my tonsils that showed infection which wasn't resolving, forget what they said exactly. I won't tell you that it is a minor deal, well it is compared to partial glossectomies and neck dissections, IMO. All is relative. Like Maria said it is a harder go when you are older having this surgery. At 20 I qualified as older.
I think once we go through oral cancer we forget that we can still have rather common stuff too, such as tonsillitis. I stopped having all those sore throats after my tonsils were removed. None of my own kids needed that surgery however, so I guess they got "good tonsils".
Wishing you the best,
Anne
SCC tongue 9/2010, excised w/clear margins:8 X 4 mm, 1 mm deep
Neck Met, 10/2010, 1 cm lymph node; 12/21/'10: Neck Diss 30 nodes, 29 clear, micro ECE node, part tongue gloss, no residual scc
IMRT & 6 cisplatin 1/20/11-2/28/11 at MDA
GIST tumor sarcoma, removed 9/2011, no chemo needed
Clear on both counts as of Fall, 2021
| | | | | 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 | Hugs - Kerri... You Went through tongue surgery - you'll get through it!
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: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Thank, my friends. I know I am in for a painful surgery and sometimes, when I think more about it, I get nervous. But, I know I can deal if it's not cancer. My mother said that she had hers out at age 21 and it was very painful. My SO said that I could go back to work in one week, but knowing myself and how much just excessive talking makes my tongue and throat sore, I'm going to take two weeks. I found it difficult to recover from my glossectomy/SND. I just can't imagine that it could hurt more than that. My doctor said that women tend to do better than men...jokingly, because we are tougher...haha! I think he was trying to make me feel better. I hold my SO close to my heart and he is one of the best people I have ever met, in every way. I am lucky in many ways. I swear, I wouldn't have made it through this last year without all of you. I can always count on this group to see me through. I love you all  .
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: Jan 2011 Posts: 123 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 123 | Sorry to hear this....somehow I missed this post earlier. If I can do anything to help let me know. I can come up for a visit when you are there too.
Jill..CG to Ken, age 43,mom of 1yr old girl.
DIAG:12/9/10 SCC BOT T4N0M0 HPV+
START:1/3/11 IMRT dailyX35 and 7 chemo
END:2/23/11 PEG IN:1/15/11 Out:4/26/11
CT/MRI 4/25/11-marked improvement CT 6/11 new spots
BX 6/23-cancer present
Total Glossectomy sched 7/20/11
7/19/11 Ken's suffering ended
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Hey, Jill.
Thanks. I've requested an FNA of the pesky lymph node while he has me on the table. I've also requested an overnight admission for pain management. Dr. D. said that if I'm really uncomfortable, I can stay overnight. I just asked his office manager to get authorization for it ahead of time, so I'm not dealing with insurance problems later.
So, if I'm still there and you are up to visiting, I'd love to see you. I certainly don't blame you if you'd rather steer clear, though!
I've been thinking of you and Morgan. I hope you have been having fun on your vacations and outings with the family. It's probably good to stay busy this time of year. Are you still planning on that special dinner at that farm? I hope so!
Talk soon,
xoxo
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: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | The tonsils come out Monday. I have lots to wrap up this weekend before I head into surgery. I might be "off the grid" for a bit, but I will surely keep you posted as I am able. I'm hoping it's not as bad as everyone says it is. I'm also hoping for good luck in the cancer-free department!
Take care everyone! Hugs to all of you!
xoxo,
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: 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: 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 | Good luck and many hugs to you!
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: Apr 2009 Posts: 329 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 329 | Kerri,
I know the older we get the harder it is for us to recover from surgery, you'll do fine. Think positive I know it's easier said than done. ((Hugs)) to you. I'll be thinking of you Monday.
Take care,
Connie
SCC. of the left lateral tongue, anterior two thirds, T1 possibly a T2.
Left partial glossectomy, left selective neck dissection 4/21/09. Nodes clean, No Rad, No Chemo.
CT Scan 9/11 clean, CT Scan 9/12 clean
Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. A+.
My hometown Lockport, NY.
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