| | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Nelie,
Glad you finally got it scheduled. My total larygectomy and left neck dissection was all done on XRT radiated skin and I had no problem healing. Hope you have the same luck. I will be sending good vibes your way on Wedsneday. Try not to freak out too badly between now and then. Think deep calming breaths on the island.
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
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 | We'll be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you, your doctors and family all the best.
Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
| | | | | 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 | I will be thinking and praying for you tomorrow.
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: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | Nelie,
I'll be praying for an easy recovery for you.
SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013.
Support OCF
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | I am back from the hospital. I actually only had to stay one night, but I am still kind of drugged on pain meds (and lack of sleep-I never sleep well in the hospital and haven't since I've been home because of the need to get up and take meds and fresh ice for my face).
I think the surgery went OK. I'm really really swollen--back to having chipmunk cheeks like in the days of radiation and I know they wren't able top get my mouth open quite as wide as they wanted, even after doing the coronoidectomy. I started using the tharabite today, even though I'm still so swollen that I can't open very wide because of that. I hope it will at least increase my range of motion enough to help with dental work and defeat the jaw cramps! But that all depends on really religious jaw stretching with the therabite right now, even though it hurts.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
| | | | | 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 |
Nelie:
Glad you are home. Hoping you have a speedy recovery with less pain. Try not to give up on the therabite.
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: 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 | Lets hope this works chipmunk.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Sorry it has been so long since I posted. For about a week after the surgery I was feeling pretty bad--just very swollen and taking those prescrip. pain meds that make you groggy and constipated. I started stretching my jaw with the therabite about 5 days after the surgery, as instructed by my ENT, but even with that, I have not had an improvement in my range of motion. In fact, it seems to have gotten a little WORSE than prior to the surgery, which is really discouraging. I have been pretty good about using the therabite for 7 stretches 7 times a day as they say you should do--now I feel like I should have done it more often (and am trying to do it more often).
My ENT did say that even after doing the coronoidectomy and cutting away the scar tissue on my cheeks, when I was under anesthesia, they could only get me to about a 23-24 mm opening which was discouraging. Right now I am way less than that though.
But even if I can't get any wider, the surgery seems to have helped in some other ways. For one thing, I have not had one horrendous jaw cramp since the surgery, I am hoping maybe that will be permanent. If that is permanent, I think the surgery was worth it just for that reason. Also, I had a thin line of scar tissue on the inside of my lips that made it hard and painful to open my mouth wide side to side (it literally hurt to smile). They broke all that up and I have a much WIDER grin now (it still hurts to smile but I figure it's physical therapy ;-).
A week after the surgery I went to VT to visit my extended family including see my nephew who is normally in CA so I only get to see him once or twice a year. It was hard to recuperate and stretch every day with all the family stuff going on but worth it. Unfortunately (as often seems to be the case when I visit family) I caught a really nasty upper respiratory virus that has me feeling really lousy and ever since I got back Sunday night) I have had to really spend a lot of time doing class prep for the fall. So I have not had much time to keep up here and I may not for a little while longer. But I think of you all a lot. Thanks for the messages and well-wishes. I'll try to stay in better touch.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hi Nelie,
Got your PM.
I think you have a great attitude and I'm glad that you are finding some positives in the results of the surgery. I hope you have some more success getting your openning larger. Don't give up.
Sounds like you had a great visit in VT except for the URI.
Good luck with the new semester and keep on smiling.
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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