| | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 9 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 9 | Hi
I am the wife (Caregiver/support person) for my Hubby who just had surgery yesterday to remove a large cancer from his inside cheek and lymph nodes in the neck.
Very scared and unsure of what will happen in our future. Don't know the pathology yet but the doctor thinks he will need radiation. Quite in shock by this all; he is 55.
~shelydiane
shelydiane
Wife and CG to husband Dale (age 55)
DX with SCC left cheek, Stage 2+
Surgery 3/13/13 and RND (30 lymph nodes), all negative
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF! You will find lots of important info and support here.
I also had my first tumor located inside my left cheek. Mine was treated with chemo and radiation. Its not easy but its doable with proper nutrition and hydration it will be easier to get thru.
Best wishes!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 9 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 9 | eeeeek christine.................i am so glad you are a survivor! Right now my hubb's biopsy was stage II but we are waiting for the surgical biopsy to stage more accurately.
He keeps saying this is no big deal but wow is all i can say
shelydiane
Wife and CG to husband Dale (age 55)
DX with SCC left cheek, Stage 2+
Surgery 3/13/13 and RND (30 lymph nodes), all negative
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Shelydiane - SO glad you found this great place to be for the very latest, accurate information plus the best support and compassion from people who have been where you are. My son had Stage 2 Squamous cell Cancer under his tongue. He didn't have Chemo, just surgery and radiation and he is doing just great six years later! Stay in touch with us here. There are lots of people who can help you and your husband every step of the way.
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: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | [quote]Very scared and unsure of what will happen in our future. Don't know the pathology yet but the doctor thinks he will need radiation[/quote]Hi Shelydiane, Welcome aboard the cancer train. It sounds like there is action going on but you seem uncomfortable in being unclear what is happening and being planned. The surgery already done is fairly major and should be i the treatment plan. Removing the tumors from both mouth and neck is more than getting a biopsy I thinks so the doctors should have a plan in place should have discussed not only what they are already doing but have discussed earlier the options being considered including the surgery, chemo, radiation, etc.
I'd get on the phone pronto and ask/demand a full briefing on what is going on and what is being planned and what all the options are. If you are not fully satisfied and fully trusting of the current medical team, go at least get a second opinion asap.
don
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Warm welcome to you, ShelyDiane.
I'm sorry you had to come here, but there is no place like the OCF support forums to help you and your hubby through this journey. It's a marathon, not a sprint, I'd hate to tell you. However, as mentioned above, getting the facts and information straight and clearly explained to you and your hubby is your best ammo.
Is he being treated at a comprehensive cancer center (CCC)? That is the best place for an oral, head, and neck cancer patient to be. He needs a program where there are highly skilled clinicians who treat thousands of cases. If you aren't sure, ChristineB can give you a link to a list of CCCs.
Also, please take care of yourself, as well. The role of a caregiver is extremely taxing. Please ask for a list of friends and family who are willing to help with certain tasks...housekeeping, cooking, respite care, rides, etc. There are certain websites where you can organize a helping group of people where they can view your needs posted on an online calendar and sign up for things that you need. If you want more information on that, I can share my experience with you. Feel free to send me a private message.
I wish the best possible outcome for your hubby. Keep coming back when you feel the need. We are always here!
xo,
Kerri
Last edited by Kerri; 03-14-2013 09:15 PM. Reason: "comprehensive cancer center", not "certified cancer center"...I always make that mistake :)!
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: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Welcome., Shellydiane, I cant add much than what was already said. There are a number of CCC in Chicago. You can also check U.S. News Report Best Hospital listing, which are also broken down by specialties..Cancer, ENT. Good luck with everything. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 14 | You have come to the right place for answers!
My husband has just finished is 6th/last chemo and has 5/30 rad to go. The best advise was to follow the nurse/dr's advise and stay ahead of any issues. Drink plenty of water.
We purchased a high-powered blender right away and started drinking hi-protein shakes (email me if you'd like list of ingredients that I use). Plus he is eating plain yogurt everyday.
Dr's have been impressed with his recovery.. slight dry mouth, minor rad sores.
Joanna - caregiver (spouse) Init bio 11/12, gloss/neck dis 12/12, rad/cisplatin - 6 wks 2/13
"The most important thing is to keep the most important thing, the most important thing."
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,170 Posts196,930 Members13,105 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
