| | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 | I finished radiation on 12/17 and am having trouble with a back molar on the radiated side...need to have a root canal as they don't want it pulled. I went back to Dr. today and they were trying to drain the pockets of infection...but realized instead, it is more cancer cells. They are at both ends of where the nodes (that were all clean) were removed. Tumor board meets Friday, then we will see. Surgery...maybe chemo? I don't know...I am at such a loss how it can metastasize in my neck when it was a tumor in my tongue. ?
Michele in IL
Female - 53 no smoke/drink
tongue Biopsy 8/2010
Surgery 9/21 for SCC left side tongue stage II. Prtl removal tongue/left side lymph nodes. All Clear
Radiation started 11/2, ended 12/17
Lymph node involved left side along with gum involvement 2/9 Fibular flap failed 2/22.
passed away 1/12/12
| | | | | 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 | Michele, I am so sorry you are going thru this. We are here for you to lean on. Ive been thru it 3 times so I know exactly what you are going thru. If I can be of any help, please let me know. Best wishes with everything.
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: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 | Well, the tooth wasn't fixed as it is fine...instead the problem is with the gum that has the hole in it. There also seems to be a tumor in the gum behind that same tooth. The took samples for testing today. Ouch! Seems at this point I will have a PET scan to be sure there isn't more cancer in there somewhere else, a vessel test to be sure my legs will support bone donation for my jaw and surgery, to remove the lymph nodes that are infected, as well as the tumor in the gum and probably some of the jaw as it looks bad as well. They said I will probably lose 2 or 3 teeth on that side as well. This will probably all be done within the next 7-10 days. Needless to say I am rather shocked and blown away by this new round of cancer. No radiation or chemo to be had, as I did radiation the first time. Any tips or ideas for the leg and jaw surgery I would appreciate them. Michele in IL
Female - 53 no smoke/drink
tongue Biopsy 8/2010
Surgery 9/21 for SCC left side tongue stage II. Prtl removal tongue/left side lymph nodes. All Clear
Radiation started 11/2, ended 12/17
Lymph node involved left side along with gum involvement 2/9 Fibular flap failed 2/22.
passed away 1/12/12
| | | | | 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 | Michele, Ive been thru this type of surgery. Its a big one. Im so sorry you have to go thru this so soon after finishing with radiation. All I can tell you to prepare is to get your affairs in order. This way your husband will be able to take care of everything while you are in the hospital and recovering. It will be several months before you will bounce back from this. You will be in the hospital for at least a week so be ready for that. Line up friends and family members who can help you with household chores.
Specify that you want a possey muir valve if the docs say you will get a trach. That way you will be able to talk with it in with ease. Make sure you tell every single person you come in contact with about the specific type of trach.
If you can think of any questions i can help you with, please send me a PM.
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: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | I am so sorry you have to go through this. I know everyone is different, but does the hole in your gum hurt? I have noticed pain when I brush my teeth near a molar. I took a look ath the gums and I have a small hole in my gums between two of my molars. As I was reading your post when you said hole in the gums, it made me start to wonder about mine. I do not see my ENT until March 1, and have 7 more HBOs. This thing showed up a few days ago.
I will keep you in my prayers.
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: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Hi Michele,
I'm so sorry to hear what is happening. I thought I was out of the woods and just found out I will probably need surgery again too. I don't compare the 2 because what you are dealing with is much harder but it is so hard to hear that news regardless. I just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and I hope you get through this as easily as possible. I am here for you for anything you may need.
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 | Thanks Christine...I will be sure to ask for the talking trach!
Angelia, please get checked sooner than March 1 - even a dentist might be able to help. This was a brownish/gray circle below my tooth in the gum. It hurt when I brushed it and now that they took the biopsy from it, it hurts when I get saliva with food/drink near it - stings I guess.
Suzanne, I am sorry you have to do further surgery as well.
I go for more tests and a full body PET scan on Wed. Possible surgery date is 2/18. I hope it doesn't get put off much longer than that because it is tightening my throat making it hard to eat and cough.
I am going to move my post (a new one) to "currently under treatment" so you can follow it there.
Michele in IL
Female - 53 no smoke/drink
tongue Biopsy 8/2010
Surgery 9/21 for SCC left side tongue stage II. Prtl removal tongue/left side lymph nodes. All Clear
Radiation started 11/2, ended 12/17
Lymph node involved left side along with gum involvement 2/9 Fibular flap failed 2/22.
passed away 1/12/12
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | It hurts when I brush and my HBO Dr. said to get it checked out this week.
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
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,235 Posts197,106 Members13,295 | | Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025 | | |
|
