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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 45
garyock Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 45
I'm a newbie here and here is my story to date.

1. Been diagnosed (and confirmed) that I have Squamous Cell Carcinoma on the base of the tongue.

2. Have swelling on left side of throat up by the ear and quessing the cancer is there also

3. Looking like I'm going to have to go thru the following for sure
- radiology
- chemotherapy
- surgery (dissection on neck)

3. Have had the following pre-tests
- Catscans of chest and head (both were good according to doctors)
- Petscan (ditto)
- Radiology 'planning' session

4. Scheduled next week for
- Putting a 'port' by shoulder for vein access?
- Colonoscopy (guess to be sure of that area?)
- Dentist (will probably lose what teeth I have left on bottom)
- Radiogoly 'confirmation' session

WHEW.......that's a lot of doctors in just about 3 weeks of action. Having started ANY of acutal treatments YET.

I just wanted to introduce myself and explain where I'm starting out. My situation is I'm single and live alone and only have two living family members (two brothers that live 500 and 800 miles away). So, I'm kind of going to have to make a go of this by myself. I'm hoping I can make some good friends thru here that have gone thru this (or in whatever stage) to help me get thru it and answer the obvious questions I'm sure to have along the way.

I'll end this by saying I've always been a VERY positive person and hope to keep the eternal opptimisum I've always had.

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,552
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Hi garyock,
and welcome to the forum. While you are still healthy I would develop a network of people who can can help you. Call the local chapter of the American Cancer Society and they help with rides to and from treatment and so forth. Are you with any neighbors or churches - maybe they can help with shopping and things like that. Many people out there consider it a gift to serve others - allow them. The Fed had a program called IHSS (in-home supportive services), usually administered by the county welfare people where they pay an hourly rate for certain caregiving tasks if you have to hire someone.

Have you had all of the blood chemistry, creatinine clearance, baseline TSH and hearing tests yet? I would get a baseline MRI and chest x-ray as well. You didn't mention a biopsy - did you have one?

Keep that positive attitude - that will carry you a long way. We're here for the bumps or for you you to vent,


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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Posts: 417
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 417
Welcome friend:
It is tough row to hoe. But hang in there, bond with your nurses and enjoy the ride.
Darrell


Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
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Enjoy the ride? That is the most screwed up thing I have ever read here.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,116
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Welcome Garyock, I wish I lived near you and could be of some help, sorry you have to go through all of this but I like your positive attitude! And it is certainly good news about your PETscan and CATscan. Keep us posted! Carol


Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
Joined: Apr 2005
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JAM Offline
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,676
Garyock, please heed Gary's advice and get a support system in place. Now is not the time to be a loner![or superman]BEst wishes to you. Amy


CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease

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Welcome to the forum.
This is one hell of a way to make new friends, but you will find the most informative and supportive group you've ever encountered.
If I read the map right, we're only about 15 miles apart. I'll send you a private message on how to get hold of me.
In the mean time, take some time to look over this website. It is an absolute goldmine of information which can help you formulate questions you'll want to be asking your doctors, and it will also answer a lot of the questions which must be racing through your head right now.

Keep us up on how you're doing.

Good Health,

Chuck


SCC Stage IV right tonsil T3N3M0. Dx 08/03. Clinical Trial:8 weeks Taxol, Carboplatin then Hydrea, 5FU, IMRT x's 48, SND, Iressa x 2yrs. Now 20 years out and thriving. Dealing with a Prostate cancer diagnosis now. Add a Bladder cancer diagnosis to all the fun.
It's always something
"Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it."
Joined: Mar 2002
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Gary, welcome. It is quite normal to feel like a ping pong ball in the weeks before treatment actually begins, at which time you will settle into a routine. I got a kick out of your thread title, as I referred to my treatment as the Great Adventure. Yes, some parts of it were significantly less than fun, but I met some terrific pepople along the way with whom I have become good friends. I, too, am very optimistic by nature and I know that made a whale of a difference when things got tough. If you can keep the finish line in clear sight mentally, you will do okay. Feel free to ask any question that comes to mind. Those of us who have finished treatment come back here to repay the invaluable info we received by helping those coming after us. I am glad you found the OCF.
Joanna

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 155
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 155
Gary
This is not something that is cool to go totally alone. Let us know how it is and there is lots of support here but if you can let us know how the treatment plan is set up and maybe we help target when you will really need somebody..If I broke it down to basics what Bob needed was some someone to provide food in a form he could consume or to bring him stuff when he couldn't muster the energy to get up. Someone to be on point when he was in pain to help tell the story to the Doc's and someone to see that the general environment was healthy for human habitation
You may need the social workers to help you find what we call a "may I help you person" a caregiver that can come in at least a few times a week to see that you are gettin bye...


Caregiver Husband Bob SCC tongue t2nomo Partial Glosectomy/neck disection 6/04 rad ending 9/23/04
Osteoradio-necrosis of the Mandible (ONJ) DX 6/09 Surgery 7/2/09 mandible resection/ several teeth extracted/ neck dissection NO FLAP and aggressive antibiotic therapy.
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 306
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Posts: 306
Gary, Welcome to the forum. I must echo what has been said above about getting a support system in place right away. With luck, your treatment will not be too disabling, but you should plan for the worst. You may be UNABLE to drive home from treatment, or prepare food. This is not about being independent, or tough. This is a very real problem that many of us had to deal with. Your positive attitude and personal strength will be tested, but you can do it. Don't wait to look for help. Set it up now with lots of back-ups. It will serve you well. There are lots of people on this forum who will talk you through the details. Take full advantage. Best of luck to you. Please stay in touch, Tom


SCC BOT, mets to neck, T4.
From 3/03: 10wks daily multi-drug chemo,
Then daily chemo with twice daily IMRT for 12 weeks - week on, week off. No surgery. New lung primary 12/07. Searching out tx options.
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