Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#144035 12-17-2011 11:25 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
OP Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
After 2 months of complaining of pain and increasing trismus, my Drs finally ordered a CT scan and found a spot behind my left jawbone. I had biopsy and sure enough the cancers back. Saw my ENT Dr last week and they have decided that my treatment will be Chemo followed by surgery in which he will remove my jawbone and while Im on the operating table they will give me a blast of radiation to that area. He assured me that this is completely cureable but its extreme to say the least. Im going to do it because at this point the pain is killing me, I cant eat or sleep and the pain meds theyve given me havent touched it.Ill be seeing my Chemo Dr , Radiation Dr and a Pain management Dr on Monday so I will let you all know what happens then.


4 cancerous tumors stage4 Surgery 10/26/2010 Radiation 2x a day for 4 weeks (started Dec 13th 2010)
Reccurance discovered Nov 2011. Tumor behind left jaw. Erbitux, Taxol and Paraplatin for 6 wk. Surgery scheduled for Feb
50 year old woman smoked for 30 years quit 3 years ago light drinker HPV +16
plantgirl #144039 12-17-2011 04:11 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
"OCF Down Under"
Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Offline
"OCF Down Under"
Platinum Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
plantgirl,

Sorry to hear the cancer is back. After you meet the Pain Management Doctor Monday, and have the pain under control, I would recommend a second opinion. Pain clouds good decision making. A second opinion is a must!


Karen

Last edited by Karen Rose; 12-17-2011 05:50 PM. Reason: typo

46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
Karen Rose #144044 12-17-2011 07:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Sorry to hear you will have to go thru so much with your recurrence. I have also had my lower jaw removed. Its not easy but it can be done. Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with regarding this type of surgery.

Best wishes!


Christine
SCC 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 smile
ChristineB #144052 12-17-2011 11:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
Sorry it's back but thankfully you caught it quickly and as they said its curable!!! Good luck...


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
Cheryld #144121 12-20-2011 03:50 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
OP Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
I saw my Chemo Dr Monday and she explained to me that they would start the Chemo 1st week in January and the surgery would depend on how my cancer responds to the Chemo.Hopefully the cancer will stay in one place. Also saw my Rad Doc and he went over the plan to radiate me at the surgery site. Also saw the Pain management team and they are very helpful getting me the right pain meds to alleviate some of this pain. All in all it was a very informative day and they all were very patient with me and all my questions. It helps so much when you have complete faith in your Drs as I do.


4 cancerous tumors stage4 Surgery 10/26/2010 Radiation 2x a day for 4 weeks (started Dec 13th 2010)
Reccurance discovered Nov 2011. Tumor behind left jaw. Erbitux, Taxol and Paraplatin for 6 wk. Surgery scheduled for Feb
50 year old woman smoked for 30 years quit 3 years ago light drinker HPV +16
plantgirl #144918 01-22-2012 09:30 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
OP Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
They have finally given me my surgery date. Its going to be Feb 27th.I was really hoping it was going to be sooner, this waiting is driving me crazy!! I'm still have 3 more Chemos to do.Cant wait for that to be done with.


4 cancerous tumors stage4 Surgery 10/26/2010 Radiation 2x a day for 4 weeks (started Dec 13th 2010)
Reccurance discovered Nov 2011. Tumor behind left jaw. Erbitux, Taxol and Paraplatin for 6 wk. Surgery scheduled for Feb
50 year old woman smoked for 30 years quit 3 years ago light drinker HPV +16
plantgirl #144924 01-22-2012 02:36 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Wishing you all the best with your surgery. I know having a mandibulectomy is not an easy surgery. It has a long recovery period. Please let me know if I can answer any questions about a mandibulectomy. Wishing you all the best with everything you are going thru.


Christine
SCC 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 smile
ChristineB #146398 02-25-2012 01:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
OP Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
I will be going in for my surgery on Monday. Part of me is scared too death as my Dr has told me this is going to be at least a 10 hour surgery. He also said I will be in the hospital for about 10 days. Hopefully this will be it.


4 cancerous tumors stage4 Surgery 10/26/2010 Radiation 2x a day for 4 weeks (started Dec 13th 2010)
Reccurance discovered Nov 2011. Tumor behind left jaw. Erbitux, Taxol and Paraplatin for 6 wk. Surgery scheduled for Feb
50 year old woman smoked for 30 years quit 3 years ago light drinker HPV +16
plantgirl #146399 02-25-2012 02:05 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
We will be pulling for you on Monday! It sounds like your team is on the ball with the combination therapy. It's a big surgery but you are a strong woman. Best wishes and prayers.


CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
plantgirl #146408 02-25-2012 06:35 PM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26
Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Offline
Contributing Member (25+ posts)

Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26
you won't remember the surgery, and there will be no pain because they have come a long way in pain management. my last surgery was 12 hours and it is what it is. hang in there, better days ahead


after 3 sarcma flr mouth,fially removed, reconstruct from thigh muscle. 1/2 saliva glands removed, plus more glands than i can remember
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,920
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5