| | Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 1 | My dad, (71yrsold) was recently dx'd with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of paratoid gland and lymph nodes...surg. Sch'd almost 6 weeks from now. Is this a reasonable time or is it too long to wait. The surgeon voiced he wanted to do surg in 1-2 wks, but his schedule was booked and his first opening is in 6 weeks. I called his office the next day with my concerns. He called me back and said that he didn't realize his schedule was sooo busy and that he was trying to find a time sooner or checking into seeing if one of his partners may have a sooner appt. should I continue to call or wait on their call or 6 wks, which ever comes first? Thanks from concerned daughter.... | | | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 18 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" Member | | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" Member
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 18 | I would "split the difference" and make a weekly update call
Osteosarcoma radiotherapy right forequarter amputation 1961
Carcinoma of Right Larynx with subglottic extension
Total laryngectomy with right radical neck dissection 2000
Tracheostomy
Radiotherapy June-July 2001
Aggressive recurrence of the same May 2013
Neck Fistulas June 2013
P.E.G July 2013
Mi-key Oct 2013
Currently Chemo was : XELODA (Capecitabine) Now Carboplatin and now Gemcitabine !
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | I would keep calling - every day if necessary. Maybe somebody else will cancel or they can move things around. Be friendly and sweet with the office nurses and assistants (get their names so when you call you can ask for them or mention their name to whomever you talk to.) They Know stuff and how to get things done. Express your concern as your father's daughter. . . . cry a little if you have to, to impress them. You can keep the six week appointment but still work on getting a sooner appointment. Your Dad's health is important. He should not have to go through the anxiety (nor you!) of waiting because the surgeon got his schedule messed up (Isn't there a double check system for making sure schedules don't get screwed up?). Waiting is a crazy-maker! You are a great caregiver daughter - keep up the great job 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: 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 | I would say it's a slighly above average wait at some busy hospitals, and with popular ENT's, with a minimum of one month sometimes, but for us, that's like forever. You can keep calling to see if anything is available. Good luck.
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: 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 | I would seek out more opinions.
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: 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 | Besides calling to ask for any cancellations, I would seek out another equally skilled ENT. You never know what their recommendation may be.
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: 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 | Ditto to all of the above. Now they may have tests to do in between but I would push for them to move it up, and maybe seek out a different and comparable ENT. Hugs and 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: Apr 2013 Posts: 319 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 319 | Here's another ditto to all above.
And I would say also, relax.
Easier said than done, but the simple fact is that it's not at all uncommon to wait longer than 6 weeks. I'm in my 5th treatment regimen, and I think I started a new round of treatment(s) in under 6 weeks exactly once. Hell, the second time was 3 months, and this time has worked out to 6 weeks.
And don't overlook the need to pack your father with lots of calories each and every day; as well as drinking a minimum of 64 oz (8 each, 8 oz glasses) of water daily.
Good Luck Kim!
My intro: http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbt...3644#Post16364409/09 - Dx OC Stg IV 10/09 - Chemo/3 Cisplatin, 40 rad 11/09 - PET CLEAN 07/11 - Dx Stage IV C. (Liver) 06/12 - PET CLEAN 09/12 - PET Dist Met (Liver) 04/13 - PET CLEAN 06/13 - PET Dist Met (Liver + 1 lymph node) 10/13 - PET - Xeloda ineffective 11/13 - Liver packed w/ SIRI-Spheres 02/14 - PET - Siri-Spheres effective, 4cm tumor in lymph-node 03/15 - Begin 15 Rads 03/24 - Final Rad! Woot! 7/27/14 Bart passed away. RIP!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 12 Member | | Member
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 12 | Yes. Please do explore other doctors.
From my experience .. I think it's important to be seeing a few doctors anyways. Earlier is always better...
We were waiting for surgery... 3 weeks....and the tumor grew...couldn't do surgery anymore.... Time is crucial
==
Care giver to father 61
SCC Tongue T1N2b stage IVA
6/1/12 - Tumor BOT (SCC)
6/10/12 - PET scans show 2 lymph node
6/30/12 - Glossectomy with 2/38 LNs 1cm clear marg
8/22/12 - started chemoRT (poor tolerance to Cisplatin)
10/2012 - 2 rounds of chemo only and RT completed
5/2013 - Upper left neck wounds started breaking down
8/2013 - PET scan shows recurrence and metastasis bottom of neck and possible lung
9/5/2013 - chemo: docetaxel/carboplatin + Erbitux
| | | | | 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 |
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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