| | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Thanks for the good news about Christine. That makes my day a little brighter.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 | I went to see our Christine tonight. She looks good, obviously still has a lot of pain, and of course wants to get out of the hospital and come home!!
Unfortunately they have plans to keep her there for awhile. She is in the burn unit now, and in a few days will be transferred to the rehab center (which I think is in a different building).
This was the first day she was allowed visitors other than immediate family and she was really glad to see someone that wasn�t there to examine her or adjust her medication. As I said she is in the burn unit, and I came to the conclusion it would be easier to rob a bank than to get in there to visit someone without the proper password. And even with the password, I had to wait in the waiting room until someone would let me in, and then before I was allowed in the room I had to wash my hands, and put on a gown and gloves. Of course this was for Christine�s protection since and after what she has been through I certainly don�t want to add the risk of an infection.
The visiting hours Margaret posted are wrong � they do not allow visitors from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, not 7:30 PM and when I showed up at 7:30 they told me to have a seat until 8:30!! (Good thing I live nearby.)
She was off the breathing tube so she was able to talk to me. She really misses talking to everyone on OCF and I told her that everyone really misses her � the forum hasn�t been the same without her. I made a list of everyone who has posted a comment in this topic and gave it to Christine � it a really long list and she was really touched by everyone�s concern. I�m sure as soon as she can use the PC again she will back on offering advice to the rest of us!
If you haven�t done so already, please send her a card. I live nearby and will be back to see her every few days.
Susan
SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0
Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV-
Surgery: June 2005
RT: Feb-Apr 2006
HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105!
Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010
Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia
Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia
Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 38 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 38 | Thanks for the update. Christine is such a special person. She was one of the people on here who offered me so much support. I did not realize when I first came on that she was still fighting this battle herself. She was so focused on what I was going through. How amazing that is...such a beautiful giving heart. Please let her know that she is in my prayers and I will say a prayer for you as you join the USMC. Thank you for your service to keep our country a free place to live!! May God bless you and your family greatly. Teresa
CG SCC of lower gum. DX 6/09, SURGERY 7/09, MTX Started 8/09. Single RX treatment 8/18/09
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 453 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 453 | So glad to hear Christine is on the road to recovery. She is certainly one tough lady. To whoever see's her next please tell her I'm thinking about her. She's an inspiration.
Wife to Steve 43. DX 5 May 09. T4N2MO SCC tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes & jaw bone
No surgery
Teeth removed 06/07/2009
radiation 13/07/2009 x 7wks
chemo 15/07/2009 x 3 Cisplatin
last TX 28/08/2009
25/11/2009 PET-lymph node activity.
08/01/2010 CT Scan-ALL CLEAR
03/03/2010-Peg removed
01/2013 left side of Jaw removed and replaced with pectoral flap.
23/12/2020 scan show lesion in tongue
01/2021 SCC stage 3 base of tongue diagnosed
01/03/2021 chemotherapy started.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Thank you very much fpor the [ost and I can only imagine how bad she feels for wanting to leave that place and go home. I been there in the lost world but just for 7 days of space. Now near as many as Christine was, You did a nice thing by visiting her Susan. The next time you go, sqeeze her hand and tel her that's a temporay hug from me. The real hug is owed and will be given.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 | Susan,
I'm so happy you got to see Christine. Thank you for correcting the visiting hours. I'll send an update to the FB group.
How nice that you gave her a list of everyone who replied to this topic. I don't know if she realized how much she is adored and missed by all.
Margaret
Margaret
----------
C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx)
Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3)
Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | I just got back from visiting Christine. She looks great considering what she's been through. She was very alert and had a list of everyone who's been posting on this thread. I told she's like a celebrity and she couldn't understand why. She doesn't realize what an inspiration she is to people. Hopefully she will be going to rehab soon. She's lonely in that room all alone!
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 | I went to see my mom today and suemarie was there, I could tell my mom was really happy that she had visitors. I help my mom walk everyday and shes going further and further each day. Its funny though she always says I wasnt there the day before for some reason she never remembers when i visit.
Travis
son and caregiver for ChristineB
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Travis, I wouldn't be surprised if the pain meds are making her memory a little fuzzy. I'm really so happy to hear she's making progress. Each day a little bit further - sounds like a good plan for all of us 
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Travis, what a good son you are. It warms my heart that you help her walk every day. I'm sure you already know this, but I will say it anyway...she is on a lot of medication and I'm sure that is why she isn't remembering your visits. When this is over she is going to know you were the one who was there for her every step of the way. When do you leave for training? Who will be taking care of your mom?
I think I will take a trip this week and see her. I have to check my schedule at work. I want to try and spread out the visits so she has people there.
I'm sure Christine will read this thread when she can so...Christine, we love you and pray for you everyday. My sister and Aunt Marian have been praying for you and they ask about you a lot. My cousin Jeane is more of an energy person and she has been sending her energy to you. Bottom line...you will get better and we are all here for you!!!
xoxoxo
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
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