| | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 | Hi All,
Does the worring ever stop. Bob had his first CT on Friday, Monday at 7am a call from the Doctor. We need a PET scan as soon as you can get an apointment. I said they might be booked up. He said tell them tomorrow, I did and we have a PET at 1pm. Not even the first CT could be clear. Just needed to vent.
Deb
Deb taking care of Bob, left retromolar tirgone&alveolar ridge SCC stage IV pT4anomx
11/3/10 partial mandiblctmy,trech,chest flap
11/9/10 Trech out, PEG in
1/19/11- 3/9/11 Cisplatin x3, IMRT x33
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Deb:
I am sending prayers your way and wish for the best. Please let us know when you get results. Hopefully, it won't be bad. God Bless.
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: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 |
Thank you. We had Bobs PET today. While he was having that done I went to records and got a copy of the CT reading. It says "the CT is a difficult setting to identify anything". That is why we had to have a PET.
On the flip side, "Bob has", I will write word for word. " There is atherosclerotic calcification and noncalcified atheromatous plaque in the thoracic aorta. Calcification is also seen in the coronary artery dstribution. Extensive vascular calcifications with narrowing of the origin of the left common carotid and right subclavin arteries. Degenerative changes in the thoracic spine".
Impression: Atherosclerosis. Significant narrowing in the proximal left common carotid artery noted just above the aortic arch.
I know it means something about the heart. I know this is a oral cancer board but if any one has a clue about what I wrote. I would be happy to learn. I don't like going to the doctor and not having a clue.
Thanks
Deb
Deb taking care of Bob, left retromolar tirgone&alveolar ridge SCC stage IV pT4anomx
11/3/10 partial mandiblctmy,trech,chest flap
11/9/10 Trech out, PEG in
1/19/11- 3/9/11 Cisplatin x3, IMRT x33
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | He does have hardening of the arteries...in his aorta - part of the heart -one of the big tubes that carries oxygenated blood from the heart- when there is a build up or calcification of the aorta - it is thinner on the inside - and doesn't have the stretch - that it should to accommodate proper blood flow.
The same can be said for his carotid - an artery that brings blood to he brain - you have two - thinning, or blockage of these arteries can cause a stroke / insufficient blood flow to the brain - if you place your fingers under your chin beside your wind pipe you can feel a pulse - this is your carotid artery. Subclavian runs under your clavicle - it's the first bone your fingers hit if you run your fingers down your throat - also he common aortic arteries are arteries that bring blood to various locations in his body - ultimately - they all connect to the heart - he is likely going to one of a number of treatments - possibly blood thinners, diet change, and depending on how severe maybe a bypass of some sort...
Good luck! Hope this helps!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 | It helps greatly, Thank you. It is 5:30 am my time. We are about to leave for the doc. So your post came just in time.
Deb
Deb taking care of Bob, left retromolar tirgone&alveolar ridge SCC stage IV pT4anomx
11/3/10 partial mandiblctmy,trech,chest flap
11/9/10 Trech out, PEG in
1/19/11- 3/9/11 Cisplatin x3, IMRT x33
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Glad I could help heart problems if treated are very manageable - with diet change and light exercise - plus whatever intervention the dr. Prescribes - be it surgery or meds- take care.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 | Well I guess we are goimg to put heart problems on the back burner. We got the news today PET shows activity on the left BOT. I could not understand why his whole mouth was healing and he was still hurting when he swallowed. Guess I know why now. Da-- life sucks.
Deb
Deb taking care of Bob, left retromolar tirgone&alveolar ridge SCC stage IV pT4anomx
11/3/10 partial mandiblctmy,trech,chest flap
11/9/10 Trech out, PEG in
1/19/11- 3/9/11 Cisplatin x3, IMRT x33
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 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: 8 | Deb, I am very sorry to hear of your husbands recurrence. I understand how you must both be feeling. A recurrence is a cancer patients worst fear. Just the word is enough to scare you.
I just read your other post and realized that Bob will not be looking at further treatments. If this changes, please post and I will give you some info that will help.
Best wishes to you both 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: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | With all the false positivies with the PETs please get a second opinion, make absolutely sure - he just finished rads and such last month, soreness may take time to heal. Best of luck! And many hugs to you and bob.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 50 | To all
We just got the results from the biopsy. NO CANCER!!!!!!!
We are just so happy!!!!!! Cheryl you were right it was a false positive. Thank you all for your support.
Deb
Deb taking care of Bob, left retromolar tirgone&alveolar ridge SCC stage IV pT4anomx
11/3/10 partial mandiblctmy,trech,chest flap
11/9/10 Trech out, PEG in
1/19/11- 3/9/11 Cisplatin x3, IMRT x33
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 |
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | HOW WONDERFUL. YOUR HAPPY NEWS MAKES ME HAPPY.  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: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 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: 8 | Deb....EXCELLENT news!!!!! Congrats!!!!! Im sure you both are thrilled. I know I sure am happy for you. Have the very best weekend ever!!!!
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: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 | Wonderful news!!! Congratulations! Have a relaxing, peaceful and happy weekend!
Ex-spouse MISDIAGNOSED with SCC-HN IVa 12/10. Tonsils out 1/11. 4 teeth out 2/11. TX Erbitux x2, IMRT x2 2/11. 2nd opinion-benign BCC-NOT CANCER 3/11. TX stopped 3/11. New doctors 4/11. ENT agrees with 2nd opinion 5/11. ENT scoped him-all clear 7/11. Ordered MRI anyway. MRI 8/22/11 Result-all clear.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Yeah!!!! That's so great!!!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 388 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 388 | Nothing like a false positive to cheer the day! Now you can concentrate on the calcifications and clearing those up. Congratulations to both of you.
Husband: 3 SCC gum and cheek cancers 2002, 2005, 2006: surgery only. Scans clear after removal of small, well differentiated, non-invasive cancers. No radiation. 4th SCC lip diagnosed 4/13/07 - in situ, removed in biopsy. More lip removed 2/8/08 - dysplasia. 2 Biopsies 3/17/09 no cancer (lichenoids)
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,305 Posts197,297 Members13,504 | | Most Online7,516
Mar 21st, 2026 | | |
|
