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Alpaca Offline OP
"OCF Down Under, Kiwi"
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That was a relief. Didn't see my surgeon but the "Head Fellow". She was a very young looking British Indian woman working in Auckland for further experience after qualifying as a consultant in Glasgow. She seemed to have a very clear understanding of my condition. Said everything was good after a thorough check-up, camera down nose etc. Advised me to massage my neck every night to reduce the swelling and said she'd check me every 6 weeks to 2 months. I was happy with that even though it would have been nice to have seen my own surgeon. Now I have a dental appointment at another hospital next week and will see the RO in early September. Still depending on my thick shakes for most of my nutrition and have put on a kilo or two. I can eat soft foods but about 20% remains in my mouth after swallowing. With my cheap version of a waterpik I'm able to wash it out but find the smoothies and thickshakes easier. I'm not too worried about it because I AM definitely improving at the soft food eating. I'll give it time.


1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
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Good for you, doctor visits with good reports are always uplifting. I agree with your wishing to see your original surgeon, sadly he was probably doing someone elses surgery. I haven't seen my surgeon since the surgery 10 months ago. I too have to see what we call residents (licensed doctors gaining experience in their specialty). My attending physician (head of ENT) is always "immediately available" and I've been told that if I feel I need to see him, all I have to do is ask.

My visits always come after a CT and the results have always been, looks really good, sinuses clear, no lymph node swelling, surgery site looks and feels great, rest of your mouth and throat look and feel great, so I don't press for his presence. Anything unusual shows up and I'll be screaming for him to get in there.

Once again, good for you. You came through the treatment nicely, good to have another post treatment and doing nicely family member.

take care

Tony


Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good

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Posts: 1,406
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That's good, promising news, Alpaca. Sounds as if you are on the right road. I wish you continued improvement!


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
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Posts: 945
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Glad to hear your good news, Alpaca! Your Head Fellow sounds great. Hope your recovery continues smoothly. Spring is on the way!
Maria


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.
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Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
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Congrats on your great check up!

Your recovery in the eating department will come along in time. As long as you are keeping your hydration and calories up your body will heal. Remember it takes a full 2 years so its going to be quite a while before you will discover what your "new normal" is. Slow and steady progress usually works best and thats what you are accomplishing so all is good smile



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
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
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sounds good


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.

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