Hi everyone,

First, let me say that I have been coming to this forum for several years now. Its been a great source of comfort as I try to cope with my father's cancer. But he is very strong and positive and perhaps his story will be somewhat of an inspiration to you.

In January 2005 my father was diagnosed with stage I SCC. He had a spot under his tongue. They did surgery to remove it and treated it with radiation. He was cancer free for over 3 years until his first recurrence in 2008. This time it was near his jaw bone, but still a small spot. They removed it with surgery and decided to try radiation again. The second recurrence was in October of 2010. This time it was a much bigger deal because it was in his jaw bone. He had part of his jaw bone removed and he needed a skin graft because the two radiation treatments left his skin completely destroyed. Now he has been diagnosed with his third recurrence and I am quite distraught. He has cancer in his neck and I'm very scared. I am waiting to find out the recommended treatment. The doctors talked about chemo or maybe a radiation chemo combination. Its a moderately differentiated cancer. Its been almost 8 years since his first diagnosis.
I'm really looking for support and any words of hope, especially for all those wonderful, courageous survivors out there. My dad is only 62 and still works out at the gym every day. Its so hard to accept this. But for those of you just beginning your journey, please know that you can beat the odds (8 years later, my dad is still here and fighting strong!)
Anyway, all words of encouragement are needed. Thank you for reading my story...

Good Evening Ang,
I am new to this forum. My mother-in-law has the exact cancer pattern like your father. She had a partial glossectomy 2010 and Mandibular Resection and reconstruction yesterday. The pattern for her is every 2 years. She had her parathyroid removed in 2008,they said it was not cancer but I honestly think it was.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I can feel your pain. No words can give you comfort, but no matter what I am here for you as well as everybody in this forum.

Take care of yourself as well.... we the caregivers and supporters need to be healthy and well.

Hi welcome - hopefully they can operate to remove what is in his neck. The tissue is an issue as its been damaged. Your father is an inspirationi truly hope they up get it all this time. Hugs.

Welcome to OCF, Ang! The only thing I can tell you is that recurrences can be very difficult to deal with. Ive had oral cancer 3 times within 3 years and it was not easy at all, especially the last round.

The very best chance for your father to beat this is to take him to a cancer center. We have a member who was being seen at a reputable hospital and went thru several recurrences. His doc pretty much advised him to quit trying and seek out hospice when the cancer came back. He went to the top cancer centers in several locations for more opinions and its a good thing he did as he is still here. This is just one example of why cancer centers are the place to be especially when dealing with recurrences and treating a patient who has done rads twice.

Best wishes to your father!

Thank you for comments! I can't tell you how good it felt to wake up to your notes...to know that there is a group of people out there that are available to help me through this. You are all amazing and I hope that I can be a source of support, hope, and encouragement as well.

We are researching CCC's and will def. reach out for a second opinion. My dad's doctor is very supportive of this. During his second recurrence, his doctor talked to another doctor at Sloan Kettering (where my brother was interning) and this conversation actually changed to course of the surgery. So yes, thank you for the guidance and we certainly will make sure we get as much input as possible for this next course of treatment.

As Ina said, we are here for you. We, the caregivers, need to be comforted in order to be good comforters. Please keep in touch!
Kathy

Welcome Ang! Your father is a survivor and a fighter, sad that he has to go through this three times but it can be done, Christine is an example of that. My prayers are with you and your father.

I just want to thank all the readers and posters out there. Its been a few days since my original post and I am feeling better today. My dad has a doctor appt later, so we will learn more about his next steps. I have been responding to other people's posts and its been very therapeutic for me. I hope that I am able to provide support to anyone that needs it. My father's story is very incredible, I think. He doesn't eat solids anymore...hasn't for two years since his jaw bone removal, but he hasn't lost a pound and he works out every day. I wish he would come on this site and share his story himself, but he isn't terribly fond of computers:) That is OK...I am here to do it for him! Please let me know if you need words of encouragement because he has been through and survived a LOT!!! Hasn't done chemo yet though...I suspect that part of his journey will start soon.

Hello Ang, I feel the same way since I joined OCF, it has helped me to cope with my mother-in-law's surgery. Also hearing from other people who has gone through this and caregivers/supporters had given me hope, encouragement and motivation.

Keep the faith Ang for your father!! Always take care of yourself, we have to be strong physically, emotionally and spiritually for them.

Ina

Ang ur father is a hero...... i adore his bravery.... I wish i can meet him personally n say this.... give him my respects..... i will pray for both of u....