| | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 | Last week I had a visit w/my doc regarding a new painful growth under my chin where my tongue used to be. He poked around and thought it probably was an impacted/blocked salivary gland (I seem to have an OVERabundance of saliva, but I've been told it just seems that way as I no longer have most of my tongue to swallow it) so I began to relax. They did a CT scan just to be sure and when I didn't hear from them after a few days, I thought it was nothing to worry about.
This evening I get home from work (yes, still trying to do home repair/improvement-keeps my mind and body busy!) and there are 2 messages -one from my doc himself. He's the head of the surgery dept at Emory -so he's never called me personally. The other is from the new Winship cancer (also Emory) institute to "make an appointment".
I find myself back in the throes of doubt, fear, anxiety re this whole experience. Hey, I thought I was more "evolved" than this! What gives? I've been through it before and we seem to've gotten every potential major problem BEFORE it bacame that way. I'm almost OBSESSING about this-but, thank God I'll know what it going to entail by this time tomorrow. Am I "giving in"? giving up? what?
Anyone else found themselves in this most peculiar boat?
SCC right tonsil Dx 14 Feb 03
No surg till Apr 03
Lip resection Sep 05 "frankenface"
Recurr Apr 10
2/3 tongue removed Jun 10
SPEECH/SWALLOW/DROOL challenges FUN!
Dec 10 Tumor @ nodes/larynx/cart artery growing
Erbitux Mar 11 Hyoid bone regrows!?
recur Dec 12
begin taxo chemo
10yrs-still kickin!
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 | I don't think anyone ever evolves away from fear of the unknown. Especially when we've faced what we've all gone through - and I'm saying this with full knowledge that my own experience was nothing compared to yours.
I think a certain amount of fear is healthy. Certainly trying to will it away seldom works, or only does so temporarily. I think it's just something you treat as part of the experience. Just kind of.... look at it, accept it as one more "thing".
You've already demonstrated enormous courage getting this far. I have no doubt you'll get through the next phase, whatever it may bring!
We're here to help, always. Anxious to learn what your docs tell you today, so please post when you can.
David 2
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 | turns out I not only have a "suspicious mass" around one of my lymph nodes, but also a growth almost completely around my larynx-that already has partially destroyed it.(I speak with a VERY "gravelly" voice) Yep-you guessed it-he wants to pull it all (including my larnyx) out and leave a hole in my throat. (why the hole? dunno) I'm in a bit of shock right now but will re-post this info under "currently in treatment" under the title "here we go again". Thanks, David for the vote of confidence-do you rent out? ;-)
This site and you folks have truly been a Godsend to me in more ways than one for more years than just a few.
SCC right tonsil Dx 14 Feb 03
No surg till Apr 03
Lip resection Sep 05 "frankenface"
Recurr Apr 10
2/3 tongue removed Jun 10
SPEECH/SWALLOW/DROOL challenges FUN!
Dec 10 Tumor @ nodes/larynx/cart artery growing
Erbitux Mar 11 Hyoid bone regrows!?
recur Dec 12
begin taxo chemo
10yrs-still kickin!
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 | Shit. I saw your other post too and was crushed to read it. Have you gone for a second opinion, preferably at a CCC? (unless of course you're already at one)
Let us know if there's anything we can do. There are people on this forum with tons of experience and knowledge and I'm sure someone in your situation will weigh in.
david2
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 | What's a CCC? I'm willing to try VooDoo if it'll help. (seriously) ;-p
SCC right tonsil Dx 14 Feb 03
No surg till Apr 03
Lip resection Sep 05 "frankenface"
Recurr Apr 10
2/3 tongue removed Jun 10
SPEECH/SWALLOW/DROOL challenges FUN!
Dec 10 Tumor @ nodes/larynx/cart artery growing
Erbitux Mar 11 Hyoid bone regrows!?
recur Dec 12
begin taxo chemo
10yrs-still kickin!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 | Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Caregiver to husband Ron. Throat Cancer. Finished 35 radiation treatments on 11/21/04. 8/2/11 small lesion on lower gum, laser Procedure to remove. 3/6/12 Doc. removed another lesion on outside of his neck. Did a skin graft from his chest to replace the skin on his neck. Went to Heaven on 6/24/12.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 | GPK - from the master list I see that there is indeed a CCC in Atlanta. Take a look: http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/138292.html
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 122 | Thanks, David-that's where I have an appt next Fri. My surgical oncologist is right next door. I've never seen one of the medical oncologists so it'll be a learning experience. The surgeon seems to think they'll offer chemo (already had RAD) and maybe slow it down-give me some time before the larynx inevitably has to go.
SCC right tonsil Dx 14 Feb 03
No surg till Apr 03
Lip resection Sep 05 "frankenface"
Recurr Apr 10
2/3 tongue removed Jun 10
SPEECH/SWALLOW/DROOL challenges FUN!
Dec 10 Tumor @ nodes/larynx/cart artery growing
Erbitux Mar 11 Hyoid bone regrows!?
recur Dec 12
begin taxo chemo
10yrs-still kickin!
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 | I'll keep positive thoughts.
d
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
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