| Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 41 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 41 | We received some upsetting and unfortunate news today that my dad will need to go back into the OR 3 weeks post-surgery. Pathology reports came back with unclear margins in a particular area. It seems to never end... Earlier this week we were ecstatic because we found out he didn't need debridement surgery and if he did it would be very, very minor - 30 minutes tops. After a roller coaster of a week with full blown reconstructive surgery to nothing and now is, it's been so hard on all of us mentally.
The doctor also said he will need chemo or chemo/rads although he just finished rads in Sept. This is becoming a harder uphill battle than we thought. If the margins don't come back clear after this surgery, they will continue to do this until they do.... I feel like I am losing hope when I need to be the strongest.
Caregiver to father DX:4/14 Surgery:5/14 resection, ND TX: 33 IMRT complete 9/14 Scan: 10/14, suspicious area tongue & neck. Biopsy confirmed SCC BOT 2nd Primary, right lateral tongue. 11/14: surgery partial glossectomy, pec flap, trach, NG tube, ND 12/14: debridement surgery, small area removed for clear margins 12/14: biopsy positive for SCC dermal metastasis 1/15: chemo: erbitux, taxol and carboplatin 3/15: 5FU, Erbitux 8/15: enrolled in PD-1 Immunotherapy 9/15: Heaven got a new angel <3
| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 | I had this "top-up" surgery to get a clear margin in one particular area (inside my cheek). I was in hospital for four days afterward so it was nowhere near as bad as the main surgery. It got to me though. I was in tears after surgery and had a major meltdown later. It was as if I'd been through enough and this was twisting the knife in.
I empathise greatly with you, your father and your wider family. It's good the docs are being fussy about margins though and I hope and pray they are clear this time.
Cancer is often a rollercoaster. People need help to deal with it.
Love Maureen
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.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 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: 6 | Im very sorry your father's margins werent enough. It sounds like his doctors are on the ball making certain everything is taken out.
Being a caregiver is a tough job! We are here for you too. Try your best to make some time to be good to yourself. Who wouldnt be feeling overwhelmed after witnessing everything your father has been thru! Many caregivers will take anxiety meds to help them get past the rough patches. Its just another tool to make this easier.
Best wishes to both you and your father. 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: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | Im so sorry to hear this news. Beleive me I feel your pain. My mothers Margins were not clear either. There was a spot in the rear of her Jaw but the surgeon said not to worry because he froze it. I didnt quit understand that part about freezing it. We wanted it out and gone. So we were upset also . After 35 Rad treatments 3 different scans showed the cancer was spreading again so back into surgery my mom went. It was called a salvage surgery. Well that turned out brutal for my mom. There were to many cncer cells all in the check of her face and neck. The cancer was on her arteries and could not be removed. My mother cannot be RE-Radiated we were told she has had the max for that area. Shes now taking Chemo and were praying its helping. All in All thats my mothers outcome. I dont want to discourage you in any way. This is my moms outcome . Everybodys case is different and Im sure the doctors are doing the best they can.
Please stay positive Heidi
Last edited by sweetpe1; 12-05-2014 12:26 AM.
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
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