After the replies I received yesterday, I actually almost slept a full night THANK YOU! I don't feel as alone as I did!
michaelii: Most of our documents are at my Moms in Illonis but I'll see if I can recall the info you asked about. The 1st oral surgeon in Danville did the biopsy (sent to Indianapolis). Results were positive for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. referred us to an oral/maxillofacial surgeon in Champaign Il. He was unable to look under the tongue due to the extreme pain it caused her and said they would have to schedule to put her to sleep to look under the tonge. Her tongue doesn't come out straight, it pulls to the side of the tumor. He sent for the biopsy slide from previous oral surg. This is the point where we were told it was stage 3-4. An X-ray of head and neck was took. By the time we got home that day a message was left that we had an appointment with an Otolarynglolgy/head and neck surgeon (ENT). She had a Cat scan, MRI,blood work.
Went to the ENT on a Friday and he didn't want to waste time and scheduled the minor surgery to look under the tongue for the next Monday. He also informed us that she had been discussed at the tumor board and the case was being transferred to him but the oral sugeon will still be part of the TEAM. They feel the cancer started lower in the throat and traveled up the tongue. the cancer is growing into her nerves in the one side and that is part of the exteme pain. A chest x-ray was also took. 2-4 lymph nodes are effected. At the follow up appointment,It was agreed by all that surgery will not be done. The clinical trial was brought to our attention. At first it felt like they were asking her to be a ginny pig (I'm over that now) We have since met with Hematology-medical oncology, Radiation Oncology. As far as the Erbitux, I THINK that is the trial drug they are talking about, do you know anything about it? Plus I rememeber Cisplatin being spoke about.
She is being treated at the Carle Foundation/ Carle Cancer Center in Urbana and I have been told it is a nationally reconized Cancer Center -CCOP-Their web site states they are community clinical oncology, are linked directly with National cancer institutes research endeavors. But not really sure what all that means ....any input? We have a "treatment plan" at Moms. I just can't remember the doses etc. And again, I REALLY APPRECIATE the feedback....Dee