#95079 05-07-2009 11:36 PM | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 8 Member | OP  Member
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 8 | I am so glad I found this forum. I am having surgery in three days and I am scared to death. I am 41 years old and have two daughters. I have so many questions and fears that I don't even know where to begin. I believe it is called a neck dissection and possible removal of a little jaw bone, however, not enough that bone will need to be replaced. Soft tissue will be grafted from my forearm and of course lymphnode removal. From what I've read of others this is relatively easy compared to many. I just wanted to say hello, and THANK YOU, I don't feel so alone! | | | | | 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 | Welcome to OCF. Its normal to be afraid with what is coming up. Im a single mom who went thru this with only my teenagers help, it wasnt easy. It can be done. Please ask questions when they come up. Will you be hving chemo/radiation?
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 | Where are you being treated?
We all felt alone and scared but it will get better.
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: 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 | Hi there - you are no longer alone. Breathe a big sigh and know you have found a whole new family who can share your concerns and fears, and maybe even help out every now and then. Let us know more when you get a chance.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Welcome to our home oc-41. WE hate to see new OC patients come in . THat is just one more victim to add to the list. I had a neckl dissection like a lot did. THey aren't too bad, b ut in all honesty, the pain will stick withj you for awhile. You cab tolerate it like we do and it just is another thing in life then. The posters that above me are very knowledgeable people and can answer a lot of questios for you. If not then I am sure someelse will answer. Just don't shut the door when you come and go in this house. Some of our members are too old and weak to reopen it, LOL and we tend to come and go a lot. Again welcome.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 | Oc-41, for now, just focus on the surgery and subsequently on the healing thereafter. There will be amble time thereafter to prepare for next steps. Best wishes for a quick recovery.
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: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 | Hi OC-41,
Although I am still a newby compared to a lot of the members, I feel like I have made new friends, and this site has been a life saver, when the doctors shrug and don't answer your questions there is always someone to help here and comfort and give you the raw truth as it is.
Welcome and Good luck.
Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis
Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008.
Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm).
Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june.
30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October
First comparative study scan came back clear
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 8 | Wow...I am so happy that I got so many responses. I do not feel so alone now. I am a single mom, my oldest is in college and on her own. My youngest is 17 years old and very active in sports. My doctor has not said if I will need radiation or not, all he said was I might need it. I have been really good waiting for the surgery, but now that I am three days away I am a mess. Reading other posts has been helpful. Jeff said he was 10 days out of surgery and feeling great! I am hopeful. I am most afraid of the unknown, but than again, I'm not sure if I want to know exactly what I'm in for. That might make me hold on to the door jam screaming "I've changed my mind"!!! I am having my surgery at HIghland Hospital in Rochester. I have been honest with my girls as to what to expect. I wanted to make sure they weren't shocked when they saw me in ICU. I want them to know that I will always be honest. Thank You all for answering my "screams of terror" lol. I just hope I can be as strong as you all obviously are. I hope to make many new friends and to be one more survivor! | | | | | 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 | Hi, please take a minute to add a signature when you can. Its a huge help for people who respond to your posts without having to ask you the same thing over and over. Being a single mom isnt easy. Fighting cancer and doing it is rough. Im a single mom too. My children were 15 and 17 when I went thru my first round of OC. Please line up helpers and write down their names and numbers in a notebook and what they have offered to help with. There will be a time when you will need them. If you havent already done so call the American Cancer Society, they may have things in your area to help. If the hospital offers a home health aid or visiting nurse, take advantage of it. They can be very helpful. Best of luck and have a wonderful Mother's Day
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: May 2009 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 8 | Thank you Christine, I will call and see what they have. I really can't add a signature because I don't know what stage or really anything. At my doctor appt. I was in shock and I don't think I've yet to wrap my head around this. I will post more as I learn.
Thanks | | |
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