Hey,

So the ENT called (we saw him on May 25th) and said the MRI is on June 10th ..thats 11 days from now! and 17 days since we saw him.. is that the normal waiting time for an MRI? How fast does cancer spread?..

Thanks
H

Herson,

Waiting times can vary depending on the hospital and the type of cancer, but since I also had a Stage II tongue cancer I thought I'd let you know my experience. I had about 5 weeks from the time of my initial diagnosis (biopsy done by oral surgeon) until the actual surgery (done by ENT with oral surgeon). During those 5 weeks I had several different types of scans, as well as other lab tests, and consultation visits with a full head/neck cancer team at a major cancer center. It was based on all of those test results that the H&N team recommended going forward with surgery first, which was then followed by radiation starting about 5 weeks after the surgery.

No one here is in a position to tell you how fast your mother's cancer is growing, as that too will vary from person to person. We've had some people here whose tumors did grow quickly, while others were quite slow-growing. Mine was there for a LONG time (and repeatedly misdiagnosed over a period of years by several doctors who all felt it was nothing to be concerned about). Even though it wasn't caught as early as it could have been, it still only got to Stage II.

Cathy

Thats about a normal wait time. A couple of weeks is not going to affect the prognosis. I know how stressful it is. WE want to know what is going on as soon as we can but in reality it is not going to change anything. God Bless and let us know on your scan results...

Hi herson
Its a long long journey from the day we find out our loved one has cancer to when they actually do something i think. I live in NorthEastern Ontario. My husband was told cancer under tounge April 12/06 .. saw specialist 18th had cat scan 19th... so far surgery has been cancelled 3times now. They say urgent cases arise and they can't fit him in. I've called and called got mad on phone WHY why why and always the same answer. I can't even get him into another hospital they say. This is not the doctor saying this its a receptionist, or a nurse. We have to travel to Sudbury for this surgery few hrs drive. I told the cancer center that we are going to be there on June 14th and he is having surgery NO matter what... because i'm not leaving the hospital until he does.
I hope your journey goes smooth and everything turns out ok.

Hi Car,

how did the surgery go? I hope everythign went well and that you and your husband are okay

H

Hi
Surgery went very well. Mouth was sore and the liquid diet was not one of his favorites things.
All is clear and no other treatment to follow. We are jumping with joy joy joy A new set of dentures and they say he should be as good as new.
The road to surgery was rough and funny at times. I will post the Saga of Surgery for everyone to laugh about.