| Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 | I'm hoping all went well yesterday. Hospital sucks, no doubt, I was in for 9 days (I had a trach tube for a week), and about ready to lose my mind when they finally sprung me. Communication is frustrating, but gets better each day.
The OT kept telling me it gets better, but the first 5 days didn't seem that way, then I turned the corner. Make sure you sleep when you can - I didn't sleep at night much, so I was tired. Much better when I was home.
Have socks/slippers. I was very cold for the first few days!
Tina Diag: Aug. 13/12 T3N0M0 50% + glossectomy and bilateral radical neck dissection, removal of nodes zones I - V Surgery October 11/12 Chemo/rad on hold due to clear margins and nodes Sept 21/13 clear CT with anomaly thought to be the artery, being watched closely. Dec 16/13 - anomaly confirmed artery, all clear nickname: "get 'r done" Plans: kick cancer's butt
| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 | All,
Thanks so much as always for your support! The hospital experience was pretty rough, but I did get discharged over the weekend so it's good to be home. It's been a little tough adjusting, especially having so much trouble swallowing and being frustrated at not being able to talk or be understood when I try. Along with watching everyone else around me cook and eat together! But, I'm dealing the best I can.
On a positive note, the surgery was a success on the tongue! I was told there were clear margins so that is good news. I don't have the pathology report back yet though. My doctor said a couple of the lymph nodes still seemed abnormal, but that he probably wouldn't recommend radiation because of my age. I'll post more once I hear back from him, but I'm really hoping that I don't need further treatment.
I'm very grateful to have my friends in this community to help me get by!
Thanks, Gina
Female, age 35 SCC Stage IV, left oral tongue, 2.8 cm T2N2bM0, HPV+, Former Smoker Dx 12/31/12 1/23/13: Hemiglossectomy (1/3 of tongue) & SND Cancer found in 4 lymph nodes, 1 with ECE post surgery 1 tx Cisplatin, 30x iMRT (6 wks) TX ended 4/15/13 | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Great news, Gina on how well the surgery went - and that you had clear margins! Hoping for more good news on the pathology report. I'm sure it must be a relief to be home. Keep posting so we know how you are doing.
Anne-Marie CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 15 Member | Member Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 15 | Hi Gina!
Clear margins! That is great news! Waiting for the pathology can be a bummer, but I was just glad that "IT" was out of me and hardly gave it a thought until I got the results 2 weeks post-op. My Dr told my parents right after surgery that he thought 2 nodes were suspicious, so when pathology came back with no node involvement it was unexpected good news! I really didn't worry about it too much though; I was busy recovering anyway. :-)
Yes, being unable to be understood is frustrating but it will get better. I hope you are healing well!
:-) Teresa
DX 8/21/08--SCC right side of tongue; Age 36,non-smoker,casual drinker SX 9/01/08 to remove cancer & right modified neck dissection--margins good, lymph nodes clear(T2N0M0); no further treatment.
| | | | 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 | You'll heal it will take a few weeks. Be careful if they find nodes involved- keep a close eye on your neck if they decide against rads. Hugs and hope the pathology is good.
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: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 | Well, I have good news and bad news. My doctor was out sick today, but one of his associates did remove the drainage tube...it's sure a relief having that out! So, the bad news is that my doc has the pathology results but I have to wait for him to call when he feels better. So, more of the waiting game....I really hate this part. :-(
Female, age 35 SCC Stage IV, left oral tongue, 2.8 cm T2N2bM0, HPV+, Former Smoker Dx 12/31/12 1/23/13: Hemiglossectomy (1/3 of tongue) & SND Cancer found in 4 lymph nodes, 1 with ECE post surgery 1 tx Cisplatin, 30x iMRT (6 wks) TX ended 4/15/13 | | | | 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 | seriously? I would call and see if you can get one of his associates to give you the info. best of 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: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 | Thanks, Cheryl! Well, he actually sent me an email with the results. He said that I would need radiation and chemo, most likely. I have a bunch of questions so I'm going to open a new thread on it.
Female, age 35 SCC Stage IV, left oral tongue, 2.8 cm T2N2bM0, HPV+, Former Smoker Dx 12/31/12 1/23/13: Hemiglossectomy (1/3 of tongue) & SND Cancer found in 4 lymph nodes, 1 with ECE post surgery 1 tx Cisplatin, 30x iMRT (6 wks) TX ended 4/15/13 | | |
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