#78594 08-12-2008 06:48 PM | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | I have been given a date for my surgery of Sept 8...It has now become a reality no more maybe I am dreaming no more well maybe it really isn't...It is!!! I am glad it has been set but at the same time still have concerns. I would really, really like to thank everybody who has help me get to this point.
I have a cat scan tomorrow. I am praying that there will be no need for radiation. The doctor has booked 10 hrs for surgery. I know there are a lot of you out there that has accomplished this and I will be another one added to the list!!
I am trying to be strong and for the most part am winning the battle. The neck disection, the trach, the nose feed, well everything to be done is just so overwhelming and amazing at the same time. I am placing all my trust in the gifted hands of my surgeon and god above!
Thank you for all your support and well wishes...
Dianne
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 228 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 228 | You can do it!!!! Hang in there!!! My surgery was 14 1/2 hours so 10 hours will be a breeze for you! Hope your CT scan goes well tomorrow! Keep us posted!
Stephanie, 23, SCC on the right side of my tongue, surgery on 5-19-08, over half my tongue removed, free flap constructed from my forearm, bilateral neck dissection, one positive node. Radiation (32) and chemo (carboplatin) started on 6-16-08. Recurrence 4/09 in lungs.
**** Stephanie passed away 12.15.09.... RIP our dear friend****
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | Yup just another pin cushion...got love being lit up...just like your picture in your album!!!
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | Like Stephanie mine was round 14 hours as well. Also best wishes for tomorrow and will be checking to see how you went.
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | Well I really wish I could just stay in bed all day or be working but hey...One would think being diabetic I would be used to being a pin cushion.
It really isn't the surgery it's waking up and everything else involved that is scaring me. Although my doctor made it out to be not necessarily routine operation but a very common one. So his job at this point is run of the mill. I guess I have the hard job...Me and the nurses...I am such a scardy cat...
ONE STEP at a time I keep telling myself...today the cat scan ...TOMORROW THE WORLD!!!!
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | One piece of absolutely INVALUABLE advice I received before my first surgery: Keep your eyes closed and you can get through anything!
For me, that was absolutely golden advice. I use it for cat scans, mri's, 62 radiation treatments and through 2 surgeries. It really DOES work. You will get through this. Trust the specialists around you, keep a positive attitude and keep your eyes closed when you need to!
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | Dianne, I have recently gone through what you will go through and posted a lot of my experience, including some tips to make it easier: http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=75331&page=all The surgery is the easy part for you, all you have to do is sleep; it's the poor Docs and staff who have to do all the work! The trach is definitely the part that's not so much fun, but to talk, just put your finger over the tube so no air leaks out. You can practice speaking now by just jamming the front of your tongue against your teeth and making words -- I find L and G to be difficult. The whole thing turned out to be slightly more difficult than I originally thought, but it was indeed a lot easier than that radiation stuf, by far!!
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | Thank you Pete you do in fact have a great attitude about your situation. As much as I want to know I really do. I am scared out of my skin and just want to get a handle on it. I have good days and bad days concerning my pending surgery. Some days I think I have had so many other surgeries and got better and healed. Then the other days when reality sets in and overcomes me and I am not sure how I am gonna handle this one. I see how so many people have gone before me and survived. I really want to be a part of that group. But for now all I can do is wait and pray for strength which I have very little of at the moment. It is really hard to put my life in a stranger's hand no matter how good people say he is and how many successful proceedures he has done...but this is ME!!! I guess if truth be known I wish it were all over with like a nightmare. But I guess I have to fight the battle to get the medal...Thank you for your imput and support...I cannot seem to say thank you enough Thank you doesn't seem like enough.
Dianne
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | Though my road so far has been short and my surgery not as extensive as yours I had the same good/bad day syndrome and anxieties with awaiting my surgery... I finally asked doc for something LIGHT to help me calm down but not me doped up or drowsy... that I could take just when I was feeling real stressed. She gave me some Lazopram I think it is called and it helped. There is no need to spend countless hours in stress ... if you are stressing and cannot get past it, ask for help hon.
Wish I could make it all better for you. Not knowing what to expect is the hardest part.
You have a lot of people to come to for strength, advice, counsel, and love ... use the resources and people you have to help and don't be afraid to say HEY! I need a hand here! (why are we always so willing to give help but find it so hard to ask for it?)
Hang in there hon and you will be in my prayers.
Rita
Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
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"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Dianne,
You'll do fine. I know, easy for me to say since I didn't have to have any surgery but you post like a person that is arming themselves with a very powerful tool, that being knowledge. This knowledge you are gaining will help you a lot and just think about all the stories you will be able to share with us after!!
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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