#18828 10-16-2005 08:20 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 | Hi,I am a 48 year old teacher who gave up smoking 3 years ago.I am due a biopsy tomorrow and am really scared and feel very alone.I didn't ask the dr what the procedure would be like,any advice?
My husband is trying to be really positive for me but I have a deep gut-feeling that it is cancer,I can't shake that feeling off.My children are aged 18 and 22 and they are trying so hard to be brave for me.
I feel guilty and fraudulent posting here as I haven't had a diagnosis but when the dr says the c word your world changes.Just need to hear from others who know what it feels like at this stage.Thanks. | | |
#18829 10-16-2005 09:09 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | The procedure is a walk in the park, a little snip of tissue, or a little cirlce cut with a miniature cookie cutter.... it is the emotional waiting before and after (for the results) that is the tough part. What you are experienceing is normal anytime our health is brought into question. There are many things in the oral environment that mimic oral cancer, so a prudent and cautious doctor might send many non cancer patients in for biopsy just to be sure. Please post back your follow up, and if you wish to vent here about your anxiety over it all in the meantime, this is the place to do it. But rest asured that the procedure itself is nothing, and will likely take less than 10 minutes. Do not allow them to delay in getting the results back to you. In the US, that can be as quickly as a few days, and certianly less than a week. You should expect the same, and not be afraid to push for answers if they seem to be slow in the process, your emotional health is also at stake during this timeperiod.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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#18830 10-16-2005 11:15 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Kate
All done under a local, no problem, relax you can do it.
In the Uk results 10 to 14 days,push don't take no for an answer. Find the consultants secretary's name she will become your best friend througth this.
Vent here we have all done it.. E-mail me if it will help.
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#18831 10-16-2005 04:50 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | They numbed me with a spray and took a little snip - didn't feel a thing. Like Brian said it was no big deal - just the anxiety - but you can get meds for that, many of us did. It is all too easy to get overwhelmed with fear at this stage - don't let it overwhelm you.
Congratulations on quitting smoking.
For many us our world actually changed for the better - keep a stiff upper lip.
Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#18832 10-16-2005 09:56 PM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 | Brian,Helen and Gary,thank you all!For the first time in 2 weeks I know I am not alone and your words have given me great strength.My God,you have all been through so much and yet have taken the trouble to help me.Helen,I will push for the reult - every day!
I will stay in touch.
Kate. | | |
#18833 10-17-2005 09:54 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Gary makes a good point, if this is really getting to you emotionally, anxiety meds are a no brainer. Here a major center will have a psychiatrist to help new patients through the process if necessary, and a short term Rx for some diazepam (Valium) to get you through the rough spots isn't out of the question. Some people deal with anxiety better than others.... me - I'm for a little of "mother's little helper" ala Rolling Stones when things get out of hand emotionally.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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#18834 10-17-2005 03:24 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Kate, I am glad you are smart enough to vocalize your fears and to look for support. Hopefully, you will have a clean report. The people here will celebrate with you if you do, if not, they will support you 100%. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
:
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#18835 10-17-2005 10:07 PM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 | Thanks all.I went to my GP before the biopsy for some diazepam (thanks,Gary!).4mg managed to take the edge off.Another 4mg helped for a really good night's sleep later.Yes,Brian,we all need "mother's little helper" and why the hell not!
Seems Brit consultants are more barbaric,2 injections in each of the 3 sites and then a dig and a scrape with a scalpel before 2 sutures in each!No spray and snip for me!
I feel so much better now it's over and for posting here.It's my family who are now stressed,up until yesterday they were calm!
You are an amazing community and I'm so glad I found you!
Kate. | | |
#18836 10-18-2005 02:52 AM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 35 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 35 | Spot on Jam. I hope and pray to God that all has turned out with Kate and she has not joined us but if she has we will always be there to give her our shoulders.
As you mentioned -something good came out what you came down with. I beleieve one always comes down with something good - what ever happens to one.
lol,
Ananth
"FIGHT AND YOU SHALL OVERCOME"
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#18837 10-18-2005 07:44 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Kate,
I am hoping for nothing but good results from your biopsy and rest for you and your entire family.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#18838 10-18-2005 08:06 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Sorry Kate
I thought you would finish up with up with sutures, but sorry there was no point in worrying you before hand, I promise never to do that again, but I hope all will be negative and you will need no more treatment, My e-mail address is at the top, mail me if the waiting gets to much
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#18839 10-18-2005 06:10 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Hello Kate
I am hoping for a negative biopsy result for you. We are here for you while you wait.
Love and light from Helen
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#18840 10-19-2005 06:42 AM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Kate,
Ouch. That sounds like it hurt. You didn't say where the sites are.
Now comes the the hard part. The WAITING. I had to wait 14 days for my results the first time and almost went nuts with no sleep etc. I also had no cancer forum or any other support group so was really going bonkers. We are all here to help you so vent away if you need to. Here's hoping it all comes back negative. Keep us psoted.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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#18841 10-19-2005 11:53 AM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Hi Kate,
While everyone else here was describing their biopsy as no big deal, I was remembering mine as a couple of injections, which hurt and then stiches at the end, which hurt. But the pain goes away quickly.
The waiting s a hard part--although it wasn't with me for the oral cancer biopsy results because I was in such denial that I didn't think I could possibly have cancer. You don't sound like you've built up as much denial but try to remember that there really are other things that it could be. Part of my denial was because I have several friends who had a biopsy of somehting in their mouth and it came back negative--so I assumed mine would too. The point being that I hope your experience is like those of my friends--not like mine.
But this is a great place to come in and vent if you are feeling anxious.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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#18842 10-20-2005 09:00 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 5 | Dear,dear people,
You are all so wonderful.
My consultant rang today - just over 72 hours after the biopsy - diagnosis lichen planus.
Logging on to this special community enrichens my spirit and takes me away from those around me who are filled with happiness at my news.
You all knew and responded to my deep anxiety,despite being so beyond that stage.I never met you but you have been so close to me.
I hope I can give to others as you have given to me.My love to all.
Kate. | | |
#18843 10-20-2005 10:55 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Kate,
I am really glad to hear your news. Keep on top of it and may you have much happiness all the days of your life!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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