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#24538 10-16-2007 09:10 AM
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Hello. Husband was diagnosed with SCC BT on 8/30/07 and had 3.5 cm tumor removed on left side of neck. Primary tumor was found at base of tongue, not removed. All tests on neck were negative so the cancer discovery was a surprise to say the least. He's non-smoker and social drinker; works in steel mill (could this be the culprit?). Visit to Rush University in Chicago with one of the best Head & Neck Surgeons in Midwest. No other surgeries needed and began IMRT on 10/10/07 for 7 wks. No PEG, no chemo. He is not computer savvy so that's why I'm here. He's able to retire in Jan '08 and thinks he needs to get out of the mills. Me thinks I'll be needing this group to bounce things off of. I'm happy with I've been reading thus far.
Cat


CG of BT SCC Stage IV age 55 8/30/07 lymph gland removal and Base of Tongue biopsy. Radiation started 10/10/07 x 35 IMRT.
#24539 10-16-2007 09:29 AM
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Hi Cat and welcome to OCF.I'm sure you will settle in fine here and find all the support and advice you are going to need in the future.

love liz


Liz in the UK

Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.

Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
#24540 10-16-2007 09:34 AM
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Welcome Cat!
There are lots of good people here who will share their experiences and knowledge with you, so bounce away whenever you need to!
There are plenty walking the same road as you, as you'll have discovered from your reading and I'm sure they'll be jumping in soon!

Take care,
Brenda


Brenda in UK--Diagnosis 30/5/07--undifferentiated carcinoma in right jawbone and muscles. Stage 4
6/7/07--new diagnosis primary is in lung. Finished 4cycles of palliative carboplatin/gemcitabine
therapy September 07
Now dying to live!
#24541 10-16-2007 09:52 AM
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Liz & Brenda,
Thank you for the warm welcome. Keith is not as proactive in his treatment and care as I believe he should be. I'm gently nudging him to be more informed and ask the questions. He's off work on sick leave; I work as a realtor with a flexible schedule and I'm not always able to be there with him. I'm trying to make sure I meet with the oncologist when it's appointment day. I've found more information over the Internet and on this forum than what has been explained to us so far at the doctor offices. He's feeling just tired at this stage of his rads and I'm trying to prepare him for the worst. If he doesn't get the worst, then he'll feel better!
Thanks again and I'll be talkin' to you more.
Cat


CG of BT SCC Stage IV age 55 8/30/07 lymph gland removal and Base of Tongue biopsy. Radiation started 10/10/07 x 35 IMRT.
#24542 10-16-2007 12:14 PM
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Base of tongue cancers are one of the primary sites that the HPV16 virus likes to start trouble in, so given his non smoking status and this little bit of information, it may lead you to an answer as to how he came to this disease. They almost never do surgery on the base of the tongue, since it causes so many negative long term quality of life issues if they do. But radiation, or rads with concurrent chemo have proven very effective at irradicating it. Watch for any weight loss since he has no peg. 10% plus weight loss is a point at which you should have the doctors reconsidering thier no peg decision. He may be one of the lucky ones that has an easier trip through radiation and continues to take enough nutrients by mouth.... if he isn't, PEG early in the process.


Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
#24543 10-16-2007 01:43 PM
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Hi, Cat: Welcome to OCF! I look forward to hearing positive reports during your husband's treatment. Let us know if you run into specific 'layman' questions that we might be able to help you with...

Lois & Buzz in NC


CG to 77 y/o hubby;SCC Alveolar Ridge; Wake Forest Baptist Hosp surgery: 07/19/07; bi mod radical resection/jaw replacement;
T2 N2-B M0 Stage IV-A
28 IMRT +
6 Paclitaxel/Carboplatin
Getting stronger every day!
#24544 10-16-2007 02:06 PM
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Cat:

Welcome to OCF. This is a great site to learn info and find out right questions to ask doctors.

I am doing Chemo (Cisplatin) and IMRT and started on 10/1 so I am about 12 treatments ahead of your husband. Not sure how I am supposed to feel but doing ok. I have noticed that my energy level has droppeed,food does not taste good and I have some discomfort from Rad. Other than that, doing ok.....have gone jet skiing, been to football games, played golf. I am an optimist by nature but I am not naive and know there will be struggles. I hope I am one of the lucky ones and will have a easy ride but as I tell my wife it does not matter.... you have to do the treatments, fight the battle and win!!! Whatever it takes. Feel free to PM me if I can be of any assistance.

Bill


Bill Van Horn-53 ex-smoker, social drinker, Biopsy 8/24, Diagnosed 8/30/07 BOT T2N2-B MX Stage IV. Started treatments 10/1/07. IMRT 35 x, Cisplatin - 3 cycles - completed treatment 11/16/07. CT Scans on 1/15/08 all clear Selective neck dissection 1/28/08. All nodes clear.
#24545 10-16-2007 02:28 PM
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Hey, Cat: Glad you found us! It's pretty much a "given" that people undergoing radiation will need some questions answered at some point, as will their caregivers. So, as you all progress through this journey, ask away! P.S. retirement from that job sounds like a good idea to me. smile
p.s. pegs are a good thing if you get into trouble. Amy in the Ozarks


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

:
#24546 10-17-2007 02:05 AM
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Wow! I feel blessed to a part of this group! You have all encouraged me and given me some wonderful advise. I think the HPV question is a good one and I will follow thru on that. We've already talked about it being a possibility. Bill, I'm encouraged by your positive spirit and desire to never quit! It's awesome! Now that I am empowered today, I will channel that great energy toward my hubby! Thank you all!
Cat


CG of BT SCC Stage IV age 55 8/30/07 lymph gland removal and Base of Tongue biopsy. Radiation started 10/10/07 x 35 IMRT.
#24547 10-17-2007 01:24 PM
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Cat,

Please read my post in the General Board re: "Hubby went to work today!" I don't want to give you false hopes that this will be a cakewalk, but hopefully your hubby will do as well as mine has. We had a couple of bumps in the road (hospitalization, etc.) but so far, we are doing great!

My best to you as a caregiver...you will find strength here! Deb


Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
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