| | Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 29 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 29 | Yes, it is a very individualized decision. I will say it's been harder this time, for sure, and her surgeon said it would be. She's had a lot of swelling and mucous and her incisions are not as quick to heal because of all her body has been through in such a short time. Also, last time around, she left the hospital without a trach or a feeding tube, and this time, of course, she really has needed those. She's been mourning the lack of independence a little more this time around, too. Emotionally, she's been so tough and taking it one day at a time and accepting new normals, but I know she's ready to be independent, and wants to reduce her pain medication so she can drive again. As much as she loves her family, I know she's looking forward to the day she doesn't have to have a companion ALL the time!
It was harder this time to look to the future to help her get through because of the grim statistics and limited options. We were so lucky that the choice for surgery has paid off at least for now, but I could see how hard it would be, had things been different, to find purpose and motivation to heal in the face of a horrible path report. During the two weeks between the surgery and the path report, we were all very guarded and tried to "read" people for any little hint that they had news for us and what the news might be. She never asked about the report-for her, it was better to stay focused on the task at hand.
I read in someone's older post that you start off talking about how you're going to kick cancer's tail, etc., and you need that mindset to get through initially, and then you realize it's not that simple, and it's terrifying. Still, when I think of the roads she had to choose from, this was definitely the right one for her right now. She turned 73 this month, and she's able to laugh at my brother's humor and close her eyes and feel the breeze and water her plants hopefully for a long time to come....
At any rate, so sorry for the length. Really, I just want to say thank you again for the well-wishes. Maybe as she heals and goes through the process of working on swallowing and speech, she'll be checking in with you herself! But I'll log on and keep up with you all anyway!
Mom (beautiful soul) 12/4/14 SCC L tongue (neg. biopsy 10/14);
1/8/15 hemiglossectomy/neck dissection: T3N1, extracapsular extnsn, PNI, pseudoglandular/spindle cell, margins not clr;
2/2/15 RT/carbo/taxol;
4/15/15 CT clr;
5/15 neuropathic/trigeminal pain/headaches;
6/15 recurrence flap margins/BOT; cancer encroaching skin
7/23/15 hemiglossectomy; clr margins & nodes
10/22/15 CT: nasopharyngeal tumor, jaw, and necrotic nodes; tumor under chin/corner of mouth
11/5/15 left cancer behind
| | | | | 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 | Seventy is the new fifty, they say. I tell myself that anyway. Keeping active - plants, dog - to me that is one of the secrets to healing. I've done it so many times now and can remember walking one more telegraph pole or letter box a day to rebuild fitness.
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 2015 Posts: 29 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 29 | 70 is the new 50! I love that! Does that mean 40 is the new 20? I certainly hope so....Thank you, Alpaca!
Mom (beautiful soul) 12/4/14 SCC L tongue (neg. biopsy 10/14);
1/8/15 hemiglossectomy/neck dissection: T3N1, extracapsular extnsn, PNI, pseudoglandular/spindle cell, margins not clr;
2/2/15 RT/carbo/taxol;
4/15/15 CT clr;
5/15 neuropathic/trigeminal pain/headaches;
6/15 recurrence flap margins/BOT; cancer encroaching skin
7/23/15 hemiglossectomy; clr margins & nodes
10/22/15 CT: nasopharyngeal tumor, jaw, and necrotic nodes; tumor under chin/corner of mouth
11/5/15 left cancer behind
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | It's true... Best of luck.. Tell her to hang in there.
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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