#28182 08-10-2006 03:57 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | It's easy,
I called the ENT dept. at my HMO and told them that my dentist noted a suspicious lump and I was seen the very next day (and this by an HMO that always makes you get a referal from a GP first - I actually made that up about the dentist. I had gone to a private ENT and got a Dx from him when I had no medical insurance and I didn't think it was a good idea that the HMO knew I was signing up, knowing I had a million dollar illness -although perfectly within their guidelines for "no medical questions asked" for small group plans). It was 1 1/2 months before I actually started treatment.
If what you say is accurate then it could possibly be 5-6 months until you actually start treatment. If it IS cancer that is enough time to advance your staging by 1. I would not accept that and tell them they suspect cancer and you need an emergency appointment. I'm sure that they can squeeze you in. They estimated that my cancer had been growing for 3 years.
Gary Allsebrook
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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)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#28183 08-10-2006 04:56 PM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 | I will give the surgeons office a call tommorow and see if I can talk them into seeing me sooner. I was next to the nurse when she told them my situation, but they still said the earliest would be late September. For me late September is unacceptable. Ben | | |
#28184 08-10-2006 05:31 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | oops - I meant to say the cancer was there for 2 years not 3.
Another possible alternative is some county hospital systems have clinics where you can go and get looked at for free (especially if you are a student with no income).
Gary Allsebrook
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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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#28185 08-11-2006 01:30 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Ben, I was told by my dentist for months, the sore on my tongue could not be cancer. I was even sent to an oral surgeon who biopsied it and said it was not cancer....finally, finally, I was sent to another oral surgeon in May (this all started around December,probably had it longer) and he took ONE look at it and told me it was SCC.....I guess I wanted to believe my dentist so I kept taking antibiotics and hoping it was a tooth rubbing my tongue, should have gone to an ENT please get checked by someone else.....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---
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#28186 08-11-2006 04:32 AM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 | I called the oral surgeons office and got them to move the appointment to August 29. I wish it was sooner, but that is the best I am going to be able to do. I am glad that the appointment was moved up one month. Ben | | |
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