#72754 04-09-2008 04:45 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | For those of you that can stand seeing me on TV again, check out this link http://cbs3.com/healthThe story is in the middle titled "VELscope" and the video is on the right. Right now it's the first video on the left, but I don't know how long it will be there. The one I did for ABC last December was removed in about a week. Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 720 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 720 Likes: 1 | Just to show the power of these appearances -- my dentist, who recently opened her own practice after years of working for another dentist, saw a similar report on our local NBC station and thought to herself: "What are we not seeing when we do our oral exams?"
A couple of weeks ago the office manager sent out an e-mail saying that the practice was the proud new owner of a VELscope. (Yes, I did encourage her to get one when I was there for a recent dental appointment, but she said she first started looking into it after she saw the report on the local news.)
Way to go, Jerry!
-- Leslie
Last edited by Leslie B; 04-09-2008 05:22 PM.
Leslie
April 2006: Husband dx by dentist with leukoplakia on tongue. Oral surgeon's biopsy 4/28/06: Moderate dysplasia; pathology report warned of possible "skip effect." ENT's excisional biopsy (got it all) 5/31/06: SCC in situ/small bit superficially invasive. Early detection saves lives.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 341 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 341 | Jerry you rock!! That is really cool.
I can't wait to find out if our dentist has one. My cleaning is next month and that is the first thing I plan to ask him :-). I think he may, because after watching your video I believe he's not done that to me. I was pleased that with Dan's parotid tumor he right away sent him for biopsy and didn't make us do a wait and see approach. And he talked to the oral surgeon who did the pre-radiation extraction and there were no charges. Since we are self-emplyed we don't have dental insurance. We hadn't asked for any help nor a payment plan - they were just compassionate. I think we have been really blessed.
Michelle, CG to husband (45), DX 2/08 Stage IVa Adenocarcinoma Salivary Gland (T2N2bMO)
Parotidectomy & ND 2/08, Tumor margins not clear, 4 of 30 nodes positve for cancer,
TX IMRT 39x, cisplatin 7x (completed 5/1/08),
PEG (4/22 - 7/9), No port. Currently in remission!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thanks Leslie and Michelle.
Michelle,
It sounds like your dentist did a great job getting Dan going in the right direction and I will use your post as an opportunity to get on my soap box.
As Brian, I and others have said many times before, the completion of a thorough visual and palpation oral cancer screening is the most important thing. The use of the VELscope or ViziLite are adjuncts to the exam and not a substitute.
As so many members of this forum will attest to, their very "obvious" cancers were never found by their dentist or hygienst, because the clinical exam was not done. Until this is done routinely in dental offices, too many cancers will continue to be missed.
I forgot to mention in my first post, that again, despite the fact that I many times mentioned the OCF to the producer and even said the name during the almost 1 hour taping, our name never made the air. I find this very frustrating.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Jerry:
Very good job on getting this important info out to the general public. Before I was diagnosed with this dreaded disease, I had never heard of oral cancer before. It was nice to put a face with your words of wisdom. Good job!!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 | Jerry,
As always - Great Job!
Thanks for all you do!
Joy
CG to Father, 75 yo with SCC of the mouth; upper maxillectomy and neck diss. performed on 5/23/07. Father also suffered heart attack during surgery and now has CHF. RT complete on 8/28/07. Cancer back 11/27/07. RT and Chemo to start on 12/17. Cancer back 6/17/08. Finally at rest 08/08/08.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 17 Member | | Member
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 17 | Jerry, I checked out your video and I will definitely ask my dentist about the VELscope when I take my kids in for their check-up next month!!
Thank you for the info... What a wonderful instrument that all dentists should have!
SS
Brother,56 yrs.old, diagnosed Feb.2008,scc,bot,+ 2 lymph nodes,stage3,HPV,peg,undergoing chemo and radiation 8 weeks beginning Mar 17,2008
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | SS,
Glad you got to see the video and I hope your dentist is doing a clinical exam already. The cost of the VELscope, at $5,000, is somewhat of a stumbling block for some practices. It shouldn't be, but it is.
Thanks again for your sponsorship support.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 388 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 388 | Jerry - We sent the TV video off to friends and family via email. We are appreciative of all you do for the OCF! Thanks! JaneP
Husband: 3 SCC gum and cheek cancers 2002, 2005, 2006: surgery only. Scans clear after removal of small, well differentiated, non-invasive cancers. No radiation. 4th SCC lip diagnosed 4/13/07 - in situ, removed in biopsy. More lip removed 2/8/08 - dysplasia. 2 Biopsies 3/17/09 no cancer (lichenoids)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Jane,
That's a great way to spread the word.
Thanks.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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