| Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 7 Member | OP Member Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 7 | I am just starting radiation therapy, 35 treatments at the city of Hope, after surgery to remove an invasive squamous cell carcinoma from the right side of my mouth. It had invaded bone there, so it was stage 4. Didn't know about it until the end of November. Surgery was done at UCLA by a reconstructive cancer surgeon on Jan 20. Now, I am healed enough to get radiation. So I am a new survivor, I hope, of oral cancer. I hope to see some of you at the new support group for head and neck cancer survivors at the City of Hope in Duarte, CA. meeting tomorrow March 22, 2011. | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 | HI... nice to meet - sorry you have to be here but glad you are feeling better. Radiation is not easy but it is doable... I say that now but I am only 2 days into mine and getting the first round of chemo tomorrow. However many here have done it. I would join you but I am canadian not in Cali... but have a great time and good luck with radiation.
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: Jan 2011 Posts: 7 Member | OP Member Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 7 | Well, I'm back. The stage 4 squamous cell cancer in my mouth mestacizied into my neck. Felt a small lump Aug. 6. Saw it as a small lump Aug 7. Emailed the surgeon that took out the cancer in my mouth in January this year. He saw me on Aug 16th and I was back in the operation room on August 25. One lymph node fat with the cancer leaked, and the cancer fell on soft tissue. I have a great scar on my neck. Now, on Tuesday, I start both radiology therapy and chemo. Tuesdays for 6 weeks, chemo, sitting in a chair for 7 hours. Mon-Fri radiology every day. Dr. says I could be radionecrosis since they are treating the same place that they did for 6 weeks March/April. I try to wear the shirt I bought from Oral Cancer Foundation as often as I can. And try to stay strong, but it is harder this time.
| | | | 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 | Judi,
Stay strong and we will be here for you throughout your Tx.
Try and post your history to your Signature Line as that will help anyone wishing to respond to your posts.
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: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 | Absolutely David, we're here for you Judi.. Sorry you're going through this again. I know they radiated you before I'm surprised that they didn't do a neck dissection first time out. I've had ECE ( in my node) it's not fun going through it all over again, but remember the things that worked for you the first time out,, and be prepared. You could get necrosis - I don't know if here is a way of preventing it however if you take good care of yourself, diet wise ( lots of fluid, lots of protein try to stay away from junk food etc... ) and try to walk daily a little exercise improves blood flow to all areas and O2 as well, hopefully you'll get through it okay. I know pushing yourself to eat and move is hard during rads - but I kept reminding myself that only my head was affected and th walk would do me good so I tottered about with my dog at least once a day for all but the first week following rads. Here are studies that show this helps ! hugs - and I'm sorry this has happened. 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: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | Keep up the good fight and good luck and best wishes!!!Semper-Fi Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
| | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 287 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: May 2011 Posts: 287 | Hu Judi, well you are not alone. Take good care, re-radiation is more difficult, drink lots of water and try to keep up the weight. Father; 67 yrs; RIP: 2012/05/26
TX:SCC pT2N1M0G2;Glossectomy+SND+CCRT(59.3Gy+6xCis.)[2009] TX:Nodal Mets; 3xDCF[2011/05/05] TX: RND + PMMC Flap[2011/07/11] DX:SCC PNI+ECE TX:Re-RT 60Gy[2011/09/21] TX:Gefitinib 250mg[2011/12/18]
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