| | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 | My dad took my mom in to see RO at 7:30am, she was being seen for severe pain in her mouth, chin and head. Last night when I arrived she was sitting on the couch, looking like Jay Leno's twin sister-her chin was that swollen. Her Ro said that she has cellulitis and also found that part of her jawbone in the back is exposed. He wants to try and save it. She is going to be seen by a different surgeon this time, "someone who does really incredible work with jawbones". She's young, somewhere around 35yrs. I dont' have any issue with that but I'm sure it raised some questions in my parents heads.
The anxiety level I am feeling is significant; while I know she's in the best place she can be right now, all the variables are toying with my mind.
Donna
CG to Mom, dx 4/25/07 with tongue cancer,T3N0,tx began 7/6/07, 31 tx's of IMRT, 8 cycles of Erbitux. Brachytherapy, surgery, left neck dissection and temp trach placed all on 9/17/07, trach removed 10/17/07. ORN of jaw, late effect of radiation symptoms. **lost my beautiful mother on 5/5/11.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | I'm so sorry you and your family have to go through this. Sending prayers your way, sweetie.
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: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Donna,
I'm sorry that you are having to go through this. I will say that being 35 myself...it's a capable age, our eyesight is still in tact, great reflexes and our hormones no longer dominate our being.
Thoughts are with you dear.
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | I'm sorry to hear about your mother's problems. My prayers and thoughts are with you...
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Donna
For what it is worth, a recent study indicates that women end up getting better and more comprehensive treatment (for breast cancer) when they have a woman surgeon.
[quote]Dr. Dawn L. Hershman, co-director of the breast program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University, said it�s not clear why women treated by female surgeons were more likely to receive radiation. It may have to do with the nature of a woman�s relationship with her doctor or the doctor�s communication style.
�It�s important to figure out all the factors that can contribute to improving quality of care,�� said Dr. Hershman. �There are many fantastic male surgeons�.It shouldn�t be taken that every woman should be seen by a woman, but there are some contributing factors to this difference that we need to investigate further.�[/quote]
I have been off the board here for the entire week so I missed your PM but will reply soon. I have to stop now and do my swallowing and speech therapy but I have not forgotten you. Keep the Faith
charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Donna, Im sorry to hear abot your mom. Hope the new doc is able to help her. Wishing a speedy recovery to your mom.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Donna, I will have all of your family in my prayers. This affects you all and I wish her the best.
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: May 2008 Posts: 357 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 | Good luck, Donnarose.
Hoping & praying for a good outcome.
Marlene
Marginal mandibulectomy 6/17/08 resulted in DX of Stage I SCC - gingiva (3 mm) right mandible, buccal side. Clear margins. Occasional social drinker. Smoked last cigarette in 1979. Clear pet: 12/08; 7/20/09. Yay!
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | Sorry about all you are going through. Praying for a good outcome.
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Donna,
I am sorry that your Mom is back in the hospital. As for the doctor being young--my husband was/is being treated at HUP, too. When we go for appointments, we are amazed at how everyone seems so much younger than we are. (I still think of ourselves as young! Hah!) Keep in mind that Penn is a CCC and a major research facility. Their Head and Neck Cancer dept. is one of the most competitive residency programs in the country and, as such, they get the "cream of the crop" from other medical schools. So, while some of the Drs. are young, I think your Mom is in great hands.
My husband was hospitalized (HUP) for a post rad infection just after completing his RX and the right side of his face blew up so large, he looked like "the elephant man". It was a scary time.
I hope that things go well for your Mom.
Anita
Anita (68)
CG to husband, Clark, 79,
DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08,
HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft.
Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear,
PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture
Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14
Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22
PEG 7/21
Botox injections
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