#26144 02-24-2004 12:53 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 116 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 116 | Ok. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions, but today the doc gave me plenty of reasons to panic.
My husband, Scott, had more surgery Feb 21 (exactly one month after major cancer removal), which included a re-resection of bone in his hard palate area that had a positive margin and a skin graft to the incision area below his ear. The area that got a skin graft had opened up and gotten pretty nasty looking two weeks after the first surgery, so after it cleared up docs decided to do the skin graft since otherwise there would be a sizable sink-hole in his neck below the ear. Well, one day post-skin graft, these little bumps started appearing around the bolster covering the graft and nearby on my husband's jaw. By the next day (yesterday, Monday, Feb 23) the area had started looking weepy and the surrounding skin was pulling apart from the bolster. It looked just like it did the first time that caused it to pull apart (they then said it was a bacterial infection). I called the nurse and doc-on-call three times yesterday; ultimately, they both agreed that maybe my husband had developed a reaction to the bacitracin ointment I was instructed to keep the bolster moist with. But this morning the whole thing had deteriated at least 60% from just overnight, so we made the long drive to the doc's office for him to see it in person. He took one look at it, said it was not an allergic reaction, and ordered a biopsy--which was performed right then and there by a resident--because he thinks the bumps could be tumor. I asked how they could pop up so fast, and how could there be so many? And how could there be more cancer? He said it happens that way sometimes, but we have to wait for the lab results before we do anything more.
I could not bring myself to ask what this will mean about further treatments or more surgery (chemo and maybe rad are planned in a few weeks). I am hoping like crazy that he is wrong. Has anyone ever heard of this? The area I am talking about is the same area where the largest of my husband's tumors was removed; it is also just below the area that was radiated just a year ago.
So not only are we waiting for biopsy on the margin of bone removed from my husband's mouth, but also the "bump" they took today. Prayers, please!
Christine
Wife of Scott: SCC, Stage I retromolar 10/02--33 rad; recurrence 10/03--Docetaxol, 5FU, Cisplatin; 1/04 radical right neck, hard palate, right tonsil; recurrence 2/04--mets to skin and neck; Xeloda and palliative care 3/04-4/04; died 5/01/04.
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#26145 02-24-2004 02:22 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 | I'm sorry I have nothing to offer in this case except my prayers & good thoughts!
dx 2/11/04 scca bot T3 IU 2B MO poorly differentiated, margins ok, 3/16 modest, jaw split, over half of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - finished chemo & rad treatment 5/20/04
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#26146 02-24-2004 03:21 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 139 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 139 | And Prayer is the most powerful tool we have, I think.
Prayers for you and your husband, Christine.
Judy U
Judy U
Stage I SCC floor of mouth, left radical neck dissection 8/03
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#26147 02-24-2004 04:37 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Sending some prayers your way Christine. I'm sorry that's all I can offer. This kind of situation makes me feel useless. Wish I could kick the shit out of cancer!!!!
Best wishes for you & your husband!!!!!
Dan
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#26148 02-24-2004 06:35 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 30 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 30 | Sending you prayers and positive thoughts during this difficult time. Hopefully you will have the good results and peace of mind to resume this battle as a winner.
Becky | | |
#26149 02-24-2004 07:04 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Count on me, too, Christine -- all fingers crossed, all positive thoughts directed your way. One of the best things I read here recently, is "It ain't cancer 'til they say it is." Keep that thought. | | |
#26150 02-24-2004 10:47 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Hi Christine
Hang on in there girl... Prayers... lots of.. love to you both and BIG 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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#26151 02-25-2004 02:50 AM | Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 246 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 246 | Hi Christine:
Sending you calm thoughts while you wait.
Kim
kcdc
Wife of Dave,diagnosed with Stage III Tonsillar SCC,August '02
Modified radical neck dissection followed by radiation therapy
'There is glory and radiance in the darkness and to see we have only to look"
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#26152 02-26-2004 05:00 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 188 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 188 | Christine.......Like Joanna says, "it ain't cancer till its cancer" and like I've learned since my whole ordeal started years ago, there are many many things that can go wrong without a cancer diagnoses. Hang tight. Sending you warm thoughts during your wait. Keep us posted!
Sincerely
Donna
SCC first time 1989, with a diagnoses of 'cancer in situ' removed lesion, no other treatments.
SCC recurrence 1997 of tongue and floor of the mouth. Stage III /IV Hemmiglossectomy (removed over 60% of tongue/ floor of the mouth), free flap, modified neck, RAD and Chemo(cisplatin, 5fu) simutainously.
Cancer free 6, yes, six, years!
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#26153 02-26-2004 05:46 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 | Christine,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Scott. This all is such a scary thing, seems to just come out of nowhere. We are in the 7th week of my husband's chemo/rad and they are adding at least another week. I don't think his body can take much more. I pray everyday for complete healing for him and all on his board. May God give you strength and comfort as you go through this and may the news be good.
Hang in there,
Debbie
Debbie - Caregiver for husband, Dan, diagnosed with tongue cancer 7/03. Partial gloss., mod. neck dissections, graft. Recurrence neck tumor 12/03. Radical left neck dissection 12/24/03-unable to get all the tumor. 8 weeks chemo/rad beginning 1/12/04.
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