| | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | Hi all. I don't post much on here anymore but I do come back and read from time to time. Had my 3.5 year checkup last Monday and my doctor said she felt some lymph nodes in my right neck (cancer side). When she pressed on my neck it was also quite tender. Got me scheduled for an ultrasound and possible biopsy next Wednesday. Now I'm trying not to drive myself crazy with worry. I have had cold/cough over the last few weeks off and on. So I'm telling myself that's what it is. Or a clamp or stitch. I know I have many. My original surgeon retired so he was not the one checking me this time. I can't even feel anything obvious that is amiss in my neck. I have also been having regular check ups and nothing has been found in all this time. Also had rads and neck dissection. But I do know anything is possible with this horrible cancer.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | There is also no evidence of a new cancer in my mouth.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | 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 | Sorry you have to go through this worry. I've been there several times. Last time I had to wait 6 weeks for ultrasound-guided FNA. It was nothing: fatty tissue ... nothing bad. When I DID have a recurrence before that, it showed up in the usual way as a small abnormal bit of tissue in my mouth.
To help me wait for the palpable node to be tested, I actually googled "How to wait for cancer results" and found some words of wisdom to help. I also invested a bit of money to treat myself: clothes, books, food. I had always wanted an iPad so bought one. My situation was different with a long wait but well, the iPad was medicinal:)
On a previous occasion, I saw a new doctor who was convinced I had a suspicious node. Nothing appeared on ultrasound and when I went back to the original surgeon I found that it was only a clip. I also find that registrars (in NZ that's what we call doctors training to be consultants) tend to biopsy a lot whereas the actual consultants are more confident and decisive in their examinations.
Thinking of you.
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: 7 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: 7 | Im so sorry you are going thru this scare! Since you have recently had a cold, hopefully thats all it is. Good thing you are on top of everything. I know waiting can be awful. Its just torture waiting for tests and then results. Hang in there and keep us posted.
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: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | Thanks guys! Tom Petty said it best.... The waiting is the hardest part. I have actually been treating myself by purchasing some movies I've been wanting to see on Amazon and my favorite pizza. I also got an iPhone 6 for my job so that has also helped to distract me.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | Just got the good news I was praying for. There were no lymph nodes found on ultrasound to do a biopsy on. Today's ultrasound was unchanged from one I had over a year ago. Thank you all for the advice and encouragement!
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 214 Likes: 1 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 214 Likes: 1 | Great news, what a relief.
Hockey Dad
43, No smoke, Small BOT HPV+16
8/30/12 Biopsy found SCC in Lymph node (removed)
9/19 DX 4a T1N2aM0
10/1 TX 2x Cisplatin 35 IMRT 70 gry (Done 11/15)
PEG tube in 11/7. Out 1/4, Back at work 2/4/13
PET 2/13 Clear, 10/16 all Scopes Clear, 4/14 Chest X-ray Clear, 5/14 Abdominal ultrasound Clear, 8 yrs clean!!!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 104 |
Brian
Stage IV TxN2aM0 HPV+ SCC 38 y.o. male
9/20/13 Sentinel Node Found
12/5/13 Start of 72Gy and 5 bags of Cisplatin
1/21/14 Treatment Ends
1/25/15 1 Yr clear
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 |
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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