#26432 05-26-2004 08:26 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Diane
Cannot answer your question.. but I think my red flags would go up.. just be glad they going to do it quick... Wish I could tell you not to worry but the sooner it's done the sooner you'll have all the answers
prayers.. 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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#26433 05-26-2004 09:22 AM | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2004 Posts: 6 | Diane,
How did the doctor know that it is a cancer, how big is the spot, did you talk to the surgeon? Ask as much question as you can.
Best wishes.
s.paull
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#26434 05-26-2004 06:47 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 | Dear Diane,
Please don't panic. My husband also had a "hot" spot show up in his lung. This was during his first scan following treatment (rad and chemo)
The tumor was very suspicious, singular, with no way to prove whether it was malignant or not, until it was out.
No doctor worth his weight in salt would sit and wait at this point, if it meant a possible cure, if it happens to be cancer.
We had a great thoracic (sp?) surgeon who removed the upper third of Dennis' lung, and it was BENIGN. Apparently, a product of living close to the water, of all things! Seems there are certain lung cysts caused by the coastal environment. After asking his doctor about this, following surgery, he said that up to 75% of his hospital staff would show these cysts if given a a scan.
Not to overuse a saying, but, it's not cancer, until they say it is.
Please, keep looking up, and know that I'm praying for the same outcome for you.
Love,
Mandi
Husband diagnosed with stage III tonsil and floor of mouth cancer in August 2002. Three rounds of chemo/42 RAD treatments. Upper right lung lobectomy in March 2003. (Benign)
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#26435 05-27-2004 02:14 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 164 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 164 | Do they plan to do a biopsy before surgery? All the radiologist that looked at my scan could tell my spots were cancer, it's all shades of gray to me, but apparently there are certain characteristics specific to cancer. I wish they were doing a different kind of surgery. The recovery is so long with open surgery. I pray all will go well.
Stage 3, N0, M0 oral tongue cancer survivor, 85-90% of tongue removed, neck disection, left tonsil removed, chemo/radiation treatments, surgery 11/03, raditation ended 1/04, lung mets discovered 4/04,
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#26436 05-27-2004 04:37 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 | Diane, I am sorry you have such rough news. It sounds like you have reasons for the red flags to start popping up. But, it also sounds like the team is on top of it. Take out a pencil and piece of paper and write down absolutely every question you have. Call the doctor and ask all of them so that you have all the cards on the table and can have somewhat peace of mind through a very difficult time. It is okay to worry, even quietly, given the information that has been presented to you. Try to use this time to get the answers you need. Your husband is so fortunate to have you by his side right now. Be as strong as you can but remember you are only human. Or, as my wife always says, you don't have to jump out of a phone booth with the big S on...all the time, at least  . Hang in there, we are here to lean on whenever you need it. 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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#26437 05-27-2004 12:24 PM | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 95 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 95 | Thanks for all your replys as usual this is always a place to come to and get support. It really helps. The oncologist per my husband said cancer or not he recommended no biopsy just get it out.But my husband was also the one who after 45 min of graphic description of chemo and radiation said to me "I hope I don't throw up"
The surgeon said it was small in one spot and cancer.I was there and after a very detailed explanation my husband said. " i don't get why I have to stay in the hospital a week". He plans to meet with both of us after the breathing test and before surgury and made sure I knew he needed me to come.I quess he noticed the denial too.I worked in the operating room for 15 years and I do know what happens I showed my husband a basic drawing of a lung minus a little peice and we were back in denial "What do I want to look at that for?" So he likes his denial and there is where I'm leaving him . The hardest part for me is to shut up so sorry I use all of you for venting and owe you all a lot for listening and caring. The breathing test is next Fri and his comment was I hope he doesn't book anything a couple of days after that I guess he ignored the about 10 days and I'll do surgury part.He's worried about finding more cancer What's next but I told him to cheer up at leastr it's not the part of your anatomy that all guys worry so much about and got a half a smile.I pray for all of you that you all stay well and for those of you who have greater problems than you should have to deal with that you find peace with yourself and never give up . Your words are important to all of us .
Thanks Diane | | |
#26438 05-27-2004 12:42 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 164 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 164 | Diane,
Please don't worry about venting to us. That's what we are here for. Sounds like you are in good hands.
Lynn
Stage 3, N0, M0 oral tongue cancer survivor, 85-90% of tongue removed, neck disection, left tonsil removed, chemo/radiation treatments, surgery 11/03, raditation ended 1/04, lung mets discovered 4/04,
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#26439 05-27-2004 10:16 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Diane
Vent all you like girl.. that's what we are here for.. my husband is also in denial about my coming op.. so the best thing is to leave them there.. so long as it's what they want.. what the hell... the Doc's seem to be on top of this as much as they can be.. so as they say girl.. 'go with the flow'
prayers.. 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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#26440 05-29-2004 06:55 AM | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 95 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 95 | Thanks again to all of you My husband will be going in June 10 . To gr I really appreciate your e mail tried to reply but in my limited computer skills it didn't work . I passed it on to my husband and it helped a lot. He never gets on this I think he thinks it's a monster so i printed it for him. His mood is the pits and he isn't dealing well like yelling at the weather because it's raining or whatever but at least the waits not long.
Best wishes to everyone in their struggle
Diane | | |
#26441 05-29-2004 07:05 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Diane
Wish I could tell you how to get through the next few days.. took my husband shopping today.. used his credit card.. so now he has something else to go on about...lol... MEN.. where would they be without us.. Why do I think that will cause some comment Diane..
Take Care Lady
prayers.. 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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