| | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Okay so it's almost been 4 years (literally 13 days short) of my final day of rads.
So far Everything has been good.
Then last night I found a swollen node!!!! gosh darn it!
right behind my ear...
Not my lower ear - its actually one of two that reside there but only one is swollen- it's my posterior auricular node...
It's only been there maybe a day or two. But still - it's a throw back to the fear from before.
ARRRRRGH!
I know it's just a node - I know they are persnickety little shits. I know it's likely (hopefully) and infection or inflammation... I have wonky sinuses so it could be that.
I recently had a dental check up and cleaning - and there's always the possibility I got a minor infection from her digging around in there. or even the aerial yoga I've been doing is very hard on my neck (one of the things that causes a swollen node is neck injury)
Anyway, I've got a call into my family dr. There's always the possibility that I have an infection so I will have him check me. But I am still waiting to hear back from my specialists secretary as well. She has today to call back otherwise I will call her again.
Anyone else experience a funky node in this location?
Thanks all. It's all about the rational head and irrational head... right?
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
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 | Cheryl, let's hope it is nothing but an infection. In the circumstances, it is only human to feel alarmed, I wouldn't think it is irrational. Let us know what the doctors say, okay?
Gloria
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards
Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Will do... I'm hoping that's what it is - and my logical self agrees... but emotions are illogical... ergh... the weird thing is I feel great... now I have minimal feeling in my ear area. I have sensation inside my outer ear, but I'm not sure if I'd know if I have an inner ear infection...
we will see.
have a good one.
Last edited by Cheryld; 04-21-2015 07:51 AM.
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
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | No. I never had any swollen nodes that far up. Hopefully it's something minor, like infection as mentioned, that caused it to swell, and hopefully the doctor visit, appropriate tests, if needed, conclude that. Waiting is the worst, as you probably know. Good luck.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | 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 | Hope you get some medical resolution soon. When I had an enlarged node you comforted me and in fact it was nothing. I'm crossing my fingers for you.
Aerial yoga sounds very scary:)
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: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Just want to say I'm thinking of you Cheryl. Logic says this is probably an infection of some sort. However, you do know what to do. Get it checked ASAP.
Thinking of you,
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!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | Hope you get it checked and get the all clear soon!
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Thinking of you! The pattern does not sound right for a recurrence.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | Cheryl so sorry you are going through this. I understand the fear. I had a node scare earlier this year (further down the neck). By the time I got some imaging, it had disappeared. Most likely from an infection. I too have wonky sinuses.
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: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I do have constant post nasal drip. But I actually think I may have injured my neck doing the yoga. At one point I was going twice a week. But last week I over did it by adding what was called a summer jam class and I remember thinking through the class that it was really hard on my neck (it was a LOT of core work and twisting). Plus aerial yoga is also hard on the shoulders and neck (it's fun as hell) But there are a lot of inversions with it and flipping out of the silk isn't easy either. I'm hoping that's what it is. I did look it up and it says that that could very well be the cause. I do have my appointment coming up on monday so I'm hoping it will be resolved quickly. The one thing I am holding onto is that it's a little late in the game for a recurrence, and location makes it highly unlikely as this cancer tends to move down not up. I can't tell if the node is painful because I am pretty numb on that side. I don't have an ear infection unless it's deep in the inner ear (GP looked but I am not sure how much he can see) It is firm, moveable and the size of a pea. My other side is clear, but it would be my bad side that would experience the strain - because of the prior surgery and radiation and already prevalent lack of nodes on that side. So I am hopeful. However, I also know that nothing is impossible, and most importantly - I HATE THE WAIT... call me impatient. Hugs, love and blessings to you all!!!
AND THANKS.
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
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