#85333 12-03-2008 07:36 PM | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 | Hello - this is my first post, but I've been lurking for about a week in a half now. My husband just had the biopsy Monday, and we're waiting for results. During the biopsy they removed a VERY large amount of tissue (and infection) and scraped the bone (there was a lot of bone loss showing on the X-Ray and he's had a very persistent infection for quite some time now...
Anyway - today the tissue is VERY gray and looks very strange. We tried to call the Oral Surgeon, but he doesn't have an answering service - it just says to go to the ER if it's an emergency. Does this warrant a trip to the ER?
Thanks in advance,
Philly
Mom of 4, wife and caregiver to David, 37 yrs old, diagnosed 12/4/08 SSC T4NXMX Maxillectomy on 1/8/09. 19 out of 30 scheduled rounds of IMRT Radiation Therapy. Cancer free!! (Last checkup 8/09) Next 10/23/09
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Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 | Philly,
Just my opinion, but yes! I think the grey would be a lack of blood flow to the area. I think it's worth the trip to the ER, and be told it's OK if it is.
I'm no doctor and I hope someone else weighs in here soon, too, but I would be very worried.
Good luck,
Lani
SCC part glossectomy 3/06, recur 8/06 glossectomy, floor of mouth, part of jaw removed, RT/chemo thru 10/12/06, PET clear 7/08
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn"
Passed away 12/14/08
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 | Thanks for your prompt response. Since we couldn't get in touch with Oral Surgeon he called his regular dentist. The DDS said it is normal to have that kind of discoloration after oral surgery and said it's probably just bruising from the surgery...
Mom of 4, wife and caregiver to David, 37 yrs old, diagnosed 12/4/08 SSC T4NXMX Maxillectomy on 1/8/09. 19 out of 30 scheduled rounds of IMRT Radiation Therapy. Cancer free!! (Last checkup 8/09) Next 10/23/09
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 | Philly,
Thanks for writing back. I was worried.
Lani
SCC part glossectomy 3/06, recur 8/06 glossectomy, floor of mouth, part of jaw removed, RT/chemo thru 10/12/06, PET clear 7/08
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn"
Passed away 12/14/08
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | When in doubt, check it out!! Better a false alarm than missing a real one...
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: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | fingers crossed for a good report ... i remember when they scraped my bone wheni had infection thru all of this process(a month or so before the diagnosis because they just thought it wasn't healing back then) OH how that HURT! it would not go numb no matter what they did so they scraped it with senses alive and wowwie that hurt so bad i was crying. I hope his went numb! but i feel for him just the same - the waiting is also hard after a biopsy ... had mine on mon and had the results back by thur. keep us posted and i wish you all the best
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."
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Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Philly,
First of all I hope the results of the biopsy come back negative. There are many things that can cause infection and bone loss so until the reslults come in, think positively.
As far as an Oral Surgeon that does not have an answering service goes, I am appalled. I am general dentist and have been in practice for over 36 years and have always had a means for my patients to reach me after hours. With the type of treatment that surgeons perform, it is even more important for them to be reachable. If he is not willing to provide you with a number to reach him and your husband needs additional surgical treatment, I would find another surgeon.
Good luck.
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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