Hello everyone,

My name is Mark, I live in Birmingham in the UK
I have just turned 52, married with a seven year old daughter
Three sons, aged 27, 25 & 18 from a previous marriage.
Lifetime non-smoker, generally fit and healthy except for
allergy type coughing, wheezing and mucous production for
the past three years. I have been back and forth to
Chest/ENT/Allergy clinics to find the cause without success.

However, the appearance of a large painless lump on the side
of my neck raised concerns and ultrasound & Biopsies followed.
Cancer cells were found and after CT and MRI scans.......
Cancer in the base of my tongue plus three Lymph nodes on the
left side and one Lymph node on the right side.. stunned!

No surgery on base of tongue as its problematic, so I am in
tomorrow for Prosthetic mask mould, dental x-ray later in the
week and I start seven weeks of Radiotherapy alongside Chemo
on 23rd November, so its Xmas dinner thru a PEG tube for me!

I am generally upbeat and in good spirits, as is my nature..
But my family have taken it hard, so any positive information
you may be able to give us would be such a help!

Thankyou
Mark

You're at the right place Mark. Welcome.

You'll find people here going through exactly what you are, and other with something similar. Most of us, I can only speak for myself, are on this forum because it's about the only place with others just like us.

I think our families do take it harder than we do, that's because they love us so much.

Hang in there, read through those posts that interest you...KILL THIS CANCER..../Barry

Mark; Welcome (with regrets) You will learn a lot here, there are folks who have been through every imaginable combination of things here. We and our families got through it, you will do great.

Flip

Welcome, Mark. You and I both will be enjoying Christmas dinner with a PEG. Sorry you had to find us, but glad you did. We can rad buddies. I start mine Nov. 16. I have my dental exam today and PET/CT tomorrow. Are they going to give you a port for the chemo? I am getting a PEG ad a PORT. You will find a lot of information on here. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Mark,

Please note my signature. My hubby had a similiar diagnosis (although no nodal involvement) and he is here two years later after exactly the course of treatment you will receive. There is hope!

If you are having surgery for the Peg tube, I would suggest that you request a mediport be placed as well during the same time. It will be a lifesaver (actually vein saver) during your treatment time as it can be accessed for blood work as well.

Welcome to OCF and encourage your caregiver/wife to participate on these boards as well...so helpful before,during, and after treatment.

Deb

Mark,

Have you been tested for HPV?

There is a 70% chance that your cancer was caused by HPV16 just like mine.

This Tx can be tough but the tough part only lasts 7 weeks or so and in the grand scheme of your life, that's not a very long time IMO. Just another way to approach it.

Hi Mark. Welcome but sorry you have to be here. My husband presented almost exactly as you did only he had 1 really big malignant lymph node in his neck. He had no throat discomfort or any indication besides the swollen lymph node that there was something wrong. He had a neck disection along with tons of scoping before treatment began. John had a PEG which was a lifesaver. Even with the PEG he lost 30 lbs. which he couldn't afford to loose so eat, eat, eat while you can. John didn't have a port as his chemo was only once a week. He does have permanent hearing loss from the chemo (Cisplatin) but so far is cancer free and doing great. Treatment is rough but this cancer is very aggressive and my husband's doctors wanted to blast it with everything they could.

These boards have tons of information and very caring people. Feel free to ask any and all questions. As a caregiver I can suggest that you might want to get your wife involved with the boards. Being a caregiver is so difficult especially when things with treatment get really rough.

Well people,
Hello again...
First off my apologies for not returning and posting sooner.
I joined a number of forums searching for information on my
Cancer 12 nonths ago and then got so involved in the treatment
and post treatment struggles that I didnt return to many.

I hope this post may give some heart to others who may be
in the position I was and searching for hope and inspiration.

As we all know, Base of Tongue Cancer is a difficult one.
Often surgery is not an option due to the position of the
Tumour and High dose Chemo and Radiotherapy sessions lie
ahead as the only way to tackle this aggressive cancer.
Search on the net and any Stats you may find for successful
treatment are not the best reading and a little sobering.

But what are Stats?
Simply numbers.. nothing's Black and White is it?
Stay Positive no matter what.
Fortunately for me I am a very strong minded and determined
individual and my Doctors are convinced it was factor during
my treatment and post treatment.

At the beginning of Nov last year I started my treatment.
Eight weeks of Maximum dose Radiotherapy Mon-Fri
Coupled with a nine hour Chemo (Cisplatin) drip every Monday.
It wasn't a pleasant experience and by the time it was over on
6th Jan I was a bit of a mess both inside and outside of my neck.
I ran a little blog here which has updates and photos.
My Cancer Journey

Excellent medication miraculously cleared up the external
damage in just over two weeks but the inside was another
matter and eating has been difficult. I lost over 40lbs but
eventually returned to a healthy weight thanks to Nutricia
Fortisips and Shakes. 12 months later I am still on a 70%
liquid diet due to damaged saliva glands and lack of taste.

But the good news is that in March I had a Full body scan in
one of the UK's new "Super Scanners" and my Cancer was gone!

Monthly physicals until November have been excellent and I
have now been moved to Bi monthly check ups!

Its not all been plain Sailing, eating is still an issue,
as is dry mouth at night causing sleep issues which is a pain.
But I am still here, 12 months on and looking to the future.
Back to a healthy weight, looking good and back to work full time.
So I guess I am now officially a "Cancer Survivor!"

And if you are reading this looking for inspiration as I was
12 months ago. Please make every effort to Stay positive!
As there's absolutely no reason to think that you can't ride
out the treatment and be as fortunate as I was.

Well thats my Cancer Journey up to now.
Obviously like all Survivors I will be keeping a close look over my
shoulder hoping the damn thing doesn't come back for another go.
Thats simply the legacy it leaves, but I won't let it worry me.

Thankyou to all that posted in my thread.
Your kindness is very much appreciated!

Best Wishes
Mark.

Bravo, Mark. So glad you're a member of the survivors' club with us! You're a brave and positive guy and I send all my good thoughts your way.

David 2

Keep that attitude and you can do anything. This has worked for me for over 3 1/2 yrs and still doing it's job. At 1st the Drs told me I was doing too much, but after a few months, I hear we sih all of our patients were like you. As long as they don't have my problems, I hope the will be too. Congrats on your success and outlook. Welcome to our home and use the front door often.