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Joined: Nov 2014
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Well I'm home now what a fight that was to get home. Been home about 5 days now,really think I'm feeling better moving around alot more. Even started lifting lite weights wears me out. Met with radiation Dr last week he said we have a little time before we start. I have a little hole on my face they want it healed before hand,so I got some kind of suck vac to heal faster. My pain level went up a bit in my jaw,but I think its cause I'm home and taking more. I'll try to keep everyone posted more Dr appointment on Wednesday. You sure do see a lot of Dr while going thru this


just found out I have squamous cell cancer 11/11/14
stage 4 lower right jaw bone 11/21/14
stage 2 lymph node 11/21/14
surgery 12/30/14 16 hour. Removed lower right jaw. All lymph nodes from right side of neck,and checked some on left side. The margins all came back clear. Radiation and chemo next
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Wasamason

Glad to see your home and doing fine considering all you've been through.
Just be careful and take it easy on yourself.

Good luck with your upcoming treatments.

Heidi


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


Joined: Dec 2014
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Glad you're home and doing well. Take it easy and prepare for the next steps. Your good attitude will go very far in how well you do. Keep it up.


Jeff - 41yrs old/previous smoker
SCC buccal mucosa/jaw bone Stage 4
Nov '14 Partial Mandibulectomy with fibula flap, neck dissection
Jan '15 Rads x35 Cisplatin x2
Apr '15 PET/CT concerning area Follow up MRI no mass.
July '15 PET/CT 11mm nodule in right lower lobe the lung.
Oct '15 PET/CT right lung nodule 3cm mass also new left lung nodules
Nov '15 erbitux
Mar '16 CT tumors are growing again, waiting on next step
June'16 hospice had 3 Opdivo infusions trying to regain health
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"OCF Down Under, Kiwi"
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Wasamason, my main social life last year was going to hospital, seeing doctors, dentists, speech therapists and psychologists!

You seem to be doing very well in spite of the big surgery you've had. I hope you can enjoy the respite at home before the treatment starts.



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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Have another question. I had lymph nodes removed from right side of neck and the removed some from left just to check. So here's my question its been almost 4 weeks post surgery and neck still swollen. I know everyone is different,but for those who had this done how long it take for swelling to go down. Kinda guessing that's why I can't pass swallow text. Thanks for your help!


just found out I have squamous cell cancer 11/11/14
stage 4 lower right jaw bone 11/21/14
stage 2 lymph node 11/21/14
surgery 12/30/14 16 hour. Removed lower right jaw. All lymph nodes from right side of neck,and checked some on left side. The margins all came back clear. Radiation and chemo next
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"OCF Kiwi Down Under"
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This sound like lymphoedema to me. Once the Lymph nodes are removed it is difficult for the lymph fluid to drain and this shows up as swelling. Initially this area is quite firm and hard, but over time it becomes a sort of baggy oedema.
Kris still has this 3 years post surgery. Some days it is hardly noticeable, others days it is more pronounced.
Some people see a specially trained Lymphoedema massage therapist to help. I think you are still in the early stages of recuperation and recovery and this will improve given time.
Tammy


Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
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Thank you Tammy. My neck has been mostly wrapped couldn't really see and with all this new found time I have I seen it. Was wondering if just needed more time to heal or something else. Have a Dr appointment coming up should be able to find out more!


just found out I have squamous cell cancer 11/11/14
stage 4 lower right jaw bone 11/21/14
stage 2 lymph node 11/21/14
surgery 12/30/14 16 hour. Removed lower right jaw. All lymph nodes from right side of neck,and checked some on left side. The margins all came back clear. Radiation and chemo next
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 236
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Posts: 236
Wasamason

I ditto what Tammy said. It's Lymphoedema and this could last a very long time. My moms almost a year post surgery from having half her lower right jaw removed. She still suffers with the swelling. Ask your doctor to refer you to therapy. There are certain massages to help the lymp fluid get moving. My mom said it was very helpful . I learned a little from watching and now I massage my mom at home.

Good Luck
Heidi

Last edited by sweetpe1; 01-28-2015 12:00 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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Thanks sweetpe1. Have a Dr appointment in the morning I'll ask ,but I'm guessing probably have to wait till after radiation and chemo?


just found out I have squamous cell cancer 11/11/14
stage 4 lower right jaw bone 11/21/14
stage 2 lymph node 11/21/14
surgery 12/30/14 16 hour. Removed lower right jaw. All lymph nodes from right side of neck,and checked some on left side. The margins all came back clear. Radiation and chemo next
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 383
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 383
wasamason,
Heidi nailed it. Massage therapy helps this a lot! My pathologist showed me and my wife the best strategies and massages to use eight years ago, and again this trip around. Her suggestions and demonstrations have worked well for me. Eventually things got better eight years ago, not sure what will happen with the other side being dissected now.


SCC right side BOT/FOM; DX 1-25-06; Neck dissection/25% of tongue removed 2-17-06. Stage 2 Recurrence 7-06: IMRTX35 & 3X Cisplatin ended 10-18-06. Tumor found 03/18/13; Partial Glossectomy 03/28/13 left lateral tongue. Nov. 2014; headaches,lump on left side of throat. Radical Neck Dissection 12-17-14; Tumor into nerves/jugular; Surgery successful, IMRTX30 & 7X Erbotux. Scan 06-03-15; NED! 06-02-16; Mets to left Humerus bone and lesion on lungs-here We go again! Never, Ever Give Up!

**** PASSED AWAY 10/8/16 ****

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