Hi NannyGranny,

I don't know the answer to your question but I am curious what others may answer, too. I had two positive nodes that showed up initially through the PET/CT scan. I was sure they were and had been seeking out an answer for many months starting with the swelling of the first one. It eventually grew to the size of my thumb and I could see the lump when I looked in the mirror yet I couldn't find anyone that was concerned and didn't know what I know now, unfortunately.

Because they knew my cancer had already spread and I was stage IV, the plan was to give me large doses of field radiation on both sides of my neck and if there was any residual, do the neck dissection then. They spoke of the surgery in October because there is still a lump where the original lymph node was but it has not lit up on the PET/CT scans so the general consensus is no surgery.

Good luck on your surgery and I am praying for comfort and continued healing for you and guidance for your medical team to find the best treatment possible for you.

Ed

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023