#4433 12-08-2004 05:24 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 | It's been a long while since I posted here.
My husband was diagnosed in 2002, stage III, right tonsil with floor of mouth.....
It was inoperable,....we chose rad and chemo.
First follow-up detected a mass in the right upper quadrant of the right lung. Had it removed.
He was an alcoholic and massive smoker. Brian, along with many others will remember my many questions of concern.
He gave the alcohol up (still working on the nicotine), but, my point being, and I swear I have one...
PLEASE don't look at the statistics. I did, and it got me nowhere.
If I had put my faith in the numbers, my husband wouldn't be here at all.
Today, he is a vibrant, wonderful father. More....much more....than he was before.
Numbers are just that. Science can never explain it all. I've been there and come out. Please don't put all your faith in the statistics.
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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#4434 12-09-2004 02:03 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Mandi,
I'm so happy for you and your family. I know you had a real struggle to get through this, but it's a great story of recovery. Congratulations to you and your husband!
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#4435 12-09-2004 02:57 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Mandi
Good on ya girl, I knew that you had the strengh to get through this..
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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#4436 12-09-2004 04:19 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hello Michelle,
Stand Tall Girl!!! Our faith in you was always there. You have been a great caregiver and I admire your strength in going thru everything you have.
Your biggest fan, Danny Boy
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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#4437 12-09-2004 04:47 AM | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 104 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 104 | Mandi,
I am so happy for your husband, you and your family. He is blessed to have a caregiver like yourself. D--- the statistics.
Jack
..........
Dx 1/15/97 SCC rt. tonsil met to rt lymph node Stg IV,
Srgry 1/23/97 tonsillectomy & mod radical neck dissection,
Radiation 35 trtmnts both sides | | |
#4438 12-09-2004 05:53 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 | In my life, I've always looked up to the odds beaters. I'm not a gambler, but do believe in the power of viewing the glass half full. You guys are there. I quit drinking 20 or so years ago & changed my life. A person has the power in them, but sometimes has to be kicked in the ass to be able to draw from it. Rock on! Erik
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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#4439 12-09-2004 07:59 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Mandi, awesome news!!!Thanks for sharing it!!! God Bless, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#4440 12-09-2004 09:02 AM | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 34 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 34 | Mandi,
Thank you for the reminder about the #s. I work in a research institution, so my first reaction after my husband's dx was to find facts. Cancer, illness & healing is so personal & unique that the #s didn't help me at all. In fact they just scared me & stressed me out even more. As a caregiver, that was no help to me at all. Bob is 2 months out of tx, been given a "cancer-free" dx from the oncologist & we are working to return some sense of normalcy in our lives. We still haven't been married a year, yet our relationship feels much more strengthened after getting thru these last months. Thank you for your reminder, I needed it.
Dx June 18, 2004, neck dissection July 1, 35 radiation txs Aug 18-Oct 7.
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#4441 12-10-2004 01:13 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Mandi, good news. Thanks for sharing. We all need to remember that this disease is an individual disease, we all have the same type of thing happening, but each of us deals with it differently. While stats are a guideline, they don't apply individually. Glad things have turned out so well for you and family. Will continue praying for further good news.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#4442 12-10-2004 09:46 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 | Mandi,
It has been some time since I have seen you around and I am ecstatic and overflowing with emotions to hear such great news. May you create more memories and enjoy many more happy moments with your 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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#4443 12-12-2004 04:40 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 | Mandi,
So happy to hear the great news. May God continue to bring healing to your family in many ways and enjoy the holidays...means so much more now after surviving this than ever before!
God bless and take care,
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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#4444 12-13-2004 06:07 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Mandi- So glad to hear your great news! A marriage that can survive cancer will make it through anything! My husband married me between cancer surgeries and continues to be my tower of strength. Love works miracles! When I first learned the statistics on another site I stayed off the computer for a year. If only I had continued to search I would have found this site while I was going through treatment. Hope and miracles are never ending here! A toast to contiinued good news! - Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
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#4445 12-13-2004 06:07 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Mandi, I am so happy for you and your family! Continue in love and growth together.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#4446 12-14-2004 10:49 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 Mandi,
I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering how things turned out. I am so glad for you and your family that things are working out.
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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#4447 12-14-2004 11:16 AM | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 217 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 217 | Mandi  What a wonderful, timely post you provided Tom's surgery was Friday - we have to wait for the pathology report, but we are confident that everything that was removed was dead - and that all that is left for us now is to move through the healing process - - and learn how better to appreciate the life we've been given. I have been fearful since the day of diagnosis, when I began finding out about this cancer. Those statistics only served to darken my outlook and fill my heart with unrest and sadness. Your post reminded me of what Brian and so many others have said about statistics. Tom's attitude is good and we are looking forward to finding out what 'our mission' in life truly is. We draw inspiration from many here - - and I am finding that I am a pretty good spokesperson for this foundation, too! I cannot wait for the next 'reunion,' as Tom and I plan on being there to hug every one of you (and I think Brian will get a kiss from me on top of that!) I LOVE bragging about this website to anyone who will listen! I wish you continued happiness. Nicki
Nicki, wife of Thomas
dx July 2004, SCC, Stage 4 Tonsil. Tx begun 8/4/04. Cisplatin/Xeloda x 4; IMRT 7 wks, 8/7 - 10/25/04 Modified Radical Dissection (right), Selective Dissection (Left) 12/10/04.
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