| | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 47 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 47 | I made it through my 4th reoccurance and 4th surgery. had surgery in april to remove lower right jaw and reconstruct. i had chemo and radiation again. i felt a need to reconnect with people who understand how i feel and know what i am going through. my docs are all very happy with how i am doing, but i find myself not really connecting with the people in my life. i should be enjoying life more, but i find myself just "waiting" for it to return. thanks for letting me vent.
scc 4/2004 r side tongue, flr of mouth.
neck disection,4 lymph nodes 34x rad,3X chemo
10/2007 r cheek. remove w/graft. 40 HBO dives.
01/2010 r cheek. surgery w/graft
04/2010,surgery remove lower right jaw, reconstruct. 4x chemo 25x rad. clear margins. pet 8/2010 clear
July 2012 right side bot cancer. surgery to remove, clear margins
4/2013 Surgery to remove cancer in lymph node near thyroid, clear margins
6/2013 start of rad 25X Chemo 7X
| | | | | 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 | You have been thru heck and back!!!! No wonder you want to crawl into a hole and hide. Especially with the lousy weather this winter. You are a 4 time survivor!!!! You are a huge example to all of us of how to survive oral cancer. I wish I could give you a hug and get you to understand just how special you are. Ive done this 3 times and it was really a very rough road. Ive done the mandibulectomy too. I cant imagine doing it again and you did radiation twice. You poor thing have had to recover 4 times from OC. I am in awe of your persistence and will to live.
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: Oct 2005 Posts: 47 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 47 | hello christine,
thanks for your reply, it makes such a difference talking to people who know how i feel, and what it takes to get through this. your email made me smile. i have never met anyone from this site, but i feel close to you as if we have. thanks.
gina
scc 4/2004 r side tongue, flr of mouth.
neck disection,4 lymph nodes 34x rad,3X chemo
10/2007 r cheek. remove w/graft. 40 HBO dives.
01/2010 r cheek. surgery w/graft
04/2010,surgery remove lower right jaw, reconstruct. 4x chemo 25x rad. clear margins. pet 8/2010 clear
July 2012 right side bot cancer. surgery to remove, clear margins
4/2013 Surgery to remove cancer in lymph node near thyroid, clear margins
6/2013 start of rad 25X Chemo 7X
| | | | | 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 | Gina, Im glad I was able to cheer you up. I hope you realize how special you are and celebrate that fact. Your right, it takes a fellow oral cancer patient to truly understand you. I feel the same way, my oral cancer buddies are my favorite pals!!! Even the ones I havent yet had the chance to meet and only know over the computer. We are a special bunch and need to stick together. After getting thru what you have, you are absolutely amazing!!! Be well
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 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Gina:
Ditto to everything Christine said. She is one of the most knowledgeable and caring members on our Forum. Everyone loves her and appreciates her help and advice. She's had it rough, but is a survivor!
julieann
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer | | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Gina, I see you live in Frederick, Md. I am in Bel AIr, Md. too bad, it is such a distance...I am gearing up for my 7 th oral cancer surgery. And I gotta tell you, I am afraid of it.....Christine is a blessing and so is this board and other people that have been through this and are willing to share. Just found out last nite that something has shown up suspicious on my lymph node in cat scan, so they will do an ultrasound Monday on that, and for the first time I am getting a feeding tube put in prior to surgery. I absolutely did not want the nose one, which is what they did last time, so I go Tuesday for the other. Praying it works......Gina, all I can say is emulate Christine.....we are tough cookies (even though I feel I am about to crack at this point) we gotta keep going! Take Care, I am here for you, too! Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Carol:
Talk about a tough cookie, you are one. Seven cancer surgeries, and you're still encouraging others to be brave. I commend you! I pray this will be your last surgery to be cancer free forever. Keep us posted. And, Gina, I pray and wish the same for you. Prayers work, I know!
Big hug(s) from julieann
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer | | |
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