Hi, I am new to this forum,and i have a question about symptoms of recurrence.I am a 40 yo male, I was diagnosed in aug. of 08 with stage 4 scc unknown primary mestasis to right nodes. treatment was 35 radiation treatments to both sides of my neck and 3 rounds of cisplatin though I could only handle 2 rounds. no neck disection just had 1 node removed for biopsy.First ct scan looked ok according to the docs. While doing all this I took leave from my job, then later my job let me go "due to the economic downturn". My wife also lost her job, so we could not afford insurance any more. I am currently
trying to get veterans health benefits, but havent heard back from them yet. My question is this, what if any are the symptoms of recurrence, I have a lump just above the collarbone about 4 inches below where i found the first lump. Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your replies.

It's not anything until the Dr.'s say it is. Get it checked out - Stay in touch with us and let us know! We're here to help!!

Changes you detect lumps and bumps are signs. A sense of fullness when you swallow is another I've been told but this doesn't neccesarily men you have recurrance. Only a Dr./biopsy/scan can tell you for sure.

I think you should see a Dr. to make sure you are OK. Have you tried getting Medicaid? I'm sorry I don't know how that all works.

Hoping this is nothing. K

Hopefully it's nothing but I would definitely get it checked out. Remember that radiation is the gift that keeps on giving....my husband Ron just had a biopsy on a lesion in his throat that had been bugging him and the Doctor was concerned. Turns out it is a fungal infection. So your lump could be any number of things. Keep us updated OK?

Shelley

Contact your Social Security Office or your local hospital--they should be able to point you in the right direction in order to get benefits.

thank you for the replies. Just found out that i am approved by the Veterans Admin. for health benefits, now just waiting for them to call me with an appointment. Man that takes a load off my mind.

Joe

That is great news Joe! I'm glad hat you have a resource and some financial support. Praying for you to come through this.

Joe, good to hear.

Like you financial woes hit my family when I could no longer work due to treatment and the surgeries and complications etc...my wife lost her job two months after I went down. I qualified for social security and we had several local avenues for help. There's always a way.

good luck, post when you need to vent

Eric

Joe

Glad to hear you were approved for VA. You have earned it and deserve it. Your initial visit will probably be indoctrination; fill out paperwork, they'll ask questions, do an EKG and take blood. That was my experience anyway. After that you'll be assigned a Primary Care Doctor. The Primary Care Doctor will be the one to set up appointments with other Docs, tests, blood work, etc. There are a lot more Vets signing up for medical benefits due to the economy so there will be waiting times for appointments. Unfortunately the old adage "hurry up and wait" applies.

I don't know where you live but make sure there is a VA HOSPITAL near you and not just a Clinic. There's just a Clinic here and the hospital is about an hour away. It doesn't sound far but my van sounds like it'll take off into space!

Do check into area hospitals with regards to financial assistance. It's done on a sliding scale and some do provide "charity" care. Don't be afraid to ask, sometimes you have to swallow your "pride" to get the help you need.

From my understanding the VA is an entity upon itself and any and all benefits you get can not be used against you in the "civilian" world.

Best of luck from a fellow veteran.

Linda

Hi linda,

Thanks for the lowdown, I was wondering how the VA works. I live about 40 min. from the Kansas City VA hospital so its not too bad just another 10 mins from the hospital i was initially treated at. I was in the military so I know what "hurry up and wait means".

Joe