Recurrence 4 weeks post surgery - 12-19-2003 09:29 PM
Hello everyone,
I haven't posted or started a topic in quite awhile.I've had a few battles with strep throat and a cold.It seems everyone I speak to has been sick though.There are a few issues that Joe is facing that I'd like everyones opinion on.He's now 4 weeks post surgery.He is supposed to start radiation and chemo treatments within the next 2 weeks.He came through the surgery and recovery with flying colors,just with the general side effects of the neck dissection.Well 2 weeks ago he started to develop a lump on the left side of his jaw.The same side that he had all the surgery done.It took me about a week to convince him to see the surgeon to have him check it out.The surgeon sent him for a MRI of the head and neck and we received the results today.It appears that it is mets from the original tumor.It appears that it was in his jaw bone and was undetectable until now.The surgeon now wants to remove his left mandibular jaw bone and replace it.The problem I have is that it will delay his radiation and chemo until he heals from this surgery.If his cancer is so agressive that he has a 4.5cm tumor in his jaw bone that was undetectable until now,what will happen if he delays rad and chemo for another 5 weeks????The surgeon said that surgery is his only option with this current tumor.His radiation oncologist wants to try to shrink the tumor first.He is set to have 8 weeks of radiation 2 times a day 5 days a week.We're still waiting on the frequency of the chemo treatments.These doctors are not agreeing on his course of treatment.The surgeon wants surgery ASAP and the rad oncologist says we can't delay radiation.I just don't know what to do.They want him to make a choice by Monday of which way he wants to go.I personally want to take him tget second opinions now,but I think with the holidays I'd be hard pressed to get any appointments this week.Does anyone have any suggestions?I could really use some insight.
Patty
I haven't posted or started a topic in quite awhile.I've had a few battles with strep throat and a cold.It seems everyone I speak to has been sick though.There are a few issues that Joe is facing that I'd like everyones opinion on.He's now 4 weeks post surgery.He is supposed to start radiation and chemo treatments within the next 2 weeks.He came through the surgery and recovery with flying colors,just with the general side effects of the neck dissection.Well 2 weeks ago he started to develop a lump on the left side of his jaw.The same side that he had all the surgery done.It took me about a week to convince him to see the surgeon to have him check it out.The surgeon sent him for a MRI of the head and neck and we received the results today.It appears that it is mets from the original tumor.It appears that it was in his jaw bone and was undetectable until now.The surgeon now wants to remove his left mandibular jaw bone and replace it.The problem I have is that it will delay his radiation and chemo until he heals from this surgery.If his cancer is so agressive that he has a 4.5cm tumor in his jaw bone that was undetectable until now,what will happen if he delays rad and chemo for another 5 weeks????The surgeon said that surgery is his only option with this current tumor.His radiation oncologist wants to try to shrink the tumor first.He is set to have 8 weeks of radiation 2 times a day 5 days a week.We're still waiting on the frequency of the chemo treatments.These doctors are not agreeing on his course of treatment.The surgeon wants surgery ASAP and the rad oncologist says we can't delay radiation.I just don't know what to do.They want him to make a choice by Monday of which way he wants to go.I personally want to take him tget second opinions now,but I think with the holidays I'd be hard pressed to get any appointments this week.Does anyone have any suggestions?I could really use some insight.
Patty