well, it looks as if the doctor is pretty sure it is cancer and they want to schedule surgery for next week. problem is they have to do a test on the cartoid (?) artery which it was initally wrapped around to see how they can do this. i know a long time ago when i read alot of survivor posts, there were some people with reoccurances soon and long. is there anyone out there who had the same experience in the same place and how did it all work?

jb, check out DebbieDomer. Her husband had a tumor that was involved with the carotid artery. She may be able to give you some advise. I have not seen her posting lately, so you may have to send something to her email which you can find under her profile.

Here is the newest update, and I would totally appreciate any response on this matter. mom is scheduled for surgery on fri @ 7am. they say it should be 8-10 hours. they are also saying that there is a swollen lymph on the right side, so they are cutting both sides, they are also putting in a tracheotomy ??? is this normal? and they are moving some muscle tissue from the breast area to the damaged area of the neck for muscle mass and blood vessels. sounds much more complicated then we thought. they have also said that according to the scans, they do not think it has spread, but once they get in, if they feel they cannot remove the tumor site, they will close her and send her home? this is very disturbing to hear. i know many of you have had the neck dissection. does any of this sound familiar? thanks so much jamie

jamie, I had a right modified neck dissection after rad/chemo. It took about 3.5 hours, but I didn't have any muscle replacement. I didn't have a trach, but I only had one side done. I was discontinued on the first surgery due to the pathologist not able to confirm no cancer on the spot biopsies that were taken from various parts of my mouth and throat. They brought me out of it and sent me home. Had to reschedule again and a second time as the surgeon threw out his back the day of the second schedule. Finally had it done and it was no big deal. Again, I only had one side done and didn't have a trach or muscle tissue transplanted. Hope it all turns out OK.

Jamie,

During my surgery I had a trach put in place but I also had my tongue removed, both sides of neck dissected, peg tube placed, and stomach muscle removed to rebuild floor of mouth so I sort of had "one stop" surgery. The trach didn't hurt or anything - it was more of a nuisance/inconvenience and I was more than happy to bid it farewell after sporting it for 8 1/2 months. Good luck to your mom and know that we're here for you.

Hugs, Nancy

Well, the worst news possible this morning. They started the procedure, the trach went fine, after three hours we thought things were rolling along and then they called and said they had opened up one side of the neck and the cancer has spread to the "chest area" whatever that means. I just came to pick up my daughter and brother to tell them and will be heading back to the hospital. so they did not continue with the surgery and they will give us more details later. now we are going to have to look at the facts...are there alternative therapies? is there anything else that can be done? help please.....jamie

Jamie, how my heart aches to read your post. It really does feel like a large heavy door slamming in ones face when you get news so hard and unexpected.
That wonderful positive attitude which has kept you asking questions and advocating for your Mom is your most powerful tool and therapy as well. Keep challenging those docs; get another consult with a medical oncologist if you can. I believe there is always something that can at least ease the way ahead. Quality of life is a big deal for most of us...we usually don't get to set the time frame. It is amazing what people can recover from..this forum is full of those stories.
You and your Mom will be in my closest thoughts as you journey forward through this further challenge.
Blessings,
Fran

where can i go to find out more about radiation?

There are several places but I would start here. There are numerous members who have endured radiation and have a good understanding of how it works.

I remember when Harry first started radiation and people kept asking me was it XRT or IMRT. I had no clue. But I asked at the hospital and the people here in this forum explained to me the differences and what I should know about the different side affects that are caused by each.

You can also seach this website and through the archived messages for information.

If you need further information you might try Google searching using the terms above. (XRT & IMRT)

I am sorry to hear about all that you mother is having to endure.

I wish you all the best.

Cindy

I did a little research on line last night on loma linda university and they talk about Proton radiation? I have ready many of the posts here, has anyone been told they had the maximum amount but then had more? the proton seems to target only the cancer and not the healthy tissue around it. mom may be released to tomm and then she will have to start thinking about what she wants to do.