New member and cancer patient. Diagnosed in Feb and had surgery Feb 9. Had tumor in cheek removed plus a grinding down of my left mandible so mandibular artery and nerve were untouched. Also had 14 lymph nodes removed of which the first 3 had evidence of cancer. I also had some teeth removed that would be in the radiation field to help prevent infection. I underwent my CT simulation today and start radiation once a day for 6 weeks on the 8th of March and will meet with the medical oncologist about chemotherapy. I've decided to accept the treatment plan that will give me the best chance for survival.

About all for now, thanks for reading.

Welcome Morris
You have found the best possible place to help you through this period of your life .
Most of the problems you will encounter in the next few months can be addressed here , we have a lot of very caring and knowledgeable people on this forum.
If you have been checking out the site hopefully you already know, we advocate your going to a comprehensive cancer center as opposed to your local physician.
Most of us only have one shot at getting rid of this disease, and your best shot is at a cancer center with Head and Neck experience.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you are progressing.
Take Care
Marica
If you need any

I should NOT have clicked that button....
Sorry , to finish my sentence.
help please don`t hesitate to ask.

Marica

Thanks Marcia, I am at the University of Fl and a Cancer Center with a multiteam approach. Oral surgeon removed the tumor and did the mandibular surgery and the ENT surgeon did the neck resection and lymph node removal. I'm now into the radiation phase and soon chemotherapy. Thanks for your concern. I guess from what I've read here on the site I was a Stage IV.

Morris

Welcome Morris

Sorry you are now a cancer patient but you seem to have had efficient care so far with no time wasted.

You have found a wonderful source of support and information here. Someone will have had a similar cancer and know what you could expect. Have you checked the general info pages here? They are excellent.

Please let us know how you are progressing, love and light from Helen

welcome morris u come to the right place uwill find everyone so helpful plus a lot of empathy all ways remember CANCER HAS NO BARRIERS WE ALL HELP EACH OTHER HERE ifeel ive found some kind of sanctury and its a good feeling


god be with u as u travel the road to nomalaty regards maz

Morris, welcome to the site. Sorry you had to find us. You'll find a lot of information here on what is going to happen on your immediate horizon. A lot of us had Stage IV tonsil cancer and have made it through the process, so hang in there as things progress, it will eventually be over and recovery will be on the way. You are wise to hit this thing with everything you can the first time out.

Sounds like your team has the same approach mine did, cut, slash & burn maybe. I am cancer free today & have no regrets about the aggressive course of treatment. Keep yer chin up, you can do this.

Morris,

Good Luck!

Welcome Morris, please keep us updated on your progress...God Bless, Carol

Welcome to the club nobody wants to join Morris!!! You have found the best source of information and support on oral cancer on the web. As you travel this rocky road keep us posted on your treatment and concerns. Someone seems to always have similer experiences to share. I wish you good luck on your treatment with few side effects.

Best Wishes, Danny Boy

I want to thank everyone for their concern and support. It's devastating to find out you have cancer, but I'm glad I can share with others who have already dealt with this disease.

Thanks again and God bless, I will keep everyone updated.

Morris

hi. i am new to this site . i hope i am doing this right . i have nasal pharynx carcinoma . i am 36 .

Hey modappu,
Glad you found this site...you will get really good ideas and feel so much support and answers to what you might expect to go thru. Do you have squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal plarynx? You will need to make sure you are at a comprehensive cancer center where teams make up the diagnosis and treatment plan. Tell us more...what stage you are, what size tumor...lymph node envolvement...surgeries? From your post it sounds like you might have scc in the nasal area? What were your symptoms and has anything been done yet? What are the recommendations for you based on your stage and node involvement?

Welcome here and there is so much information on this board for new members. May God be with you and give you strength to handle all treatments that will be done to whip that cancer out of there. Be strong/God bless you!
Debbie

im 36 . i was told in march 2003 i had npc . had all my teeth pulled . had extensive chemo and rad . had a feeding tube put in . had a modified neck dissection . im in remission now . they say everything looks good . i went to unc chapel hill . they were wonderful . i was even treated by a doctor who studied this type of cancer which was very helpful to me . im still trying to gain weight . i went from 140 to 88 . it was so hard . i had to quit my job , because i was working 40 plus a week and not gaining weight . i woke up one morning and said my life and health is way more important than my job . im doing good but i still have alot to do . i have a hrd time swallowing alot of things but they say that will get better . this is some of my story . short version . i hope i answered some of your questions . thanks for talking with me . hope to hear from u soon .

I was referred to this site by a nurse (Oral Cancer Survivor) from my Head & Neck support Group. I hope I meet the requirements to participate so here goes..

My name is Blayne, 45 yrs. Male non-smoker, was in excellent health until I was diagnosed with SCC of the Nasal Septum May 28, 2004. Stage Three. Rare diagnosis so I have found out. My symptoms were nose bleeds for about two years and I went to the ENT doc fairly regularly.Had CT Scans and was told I just had a "Deviated Septum" Not until I started yelling at the ENT doctor to "DO SOMETHING" was a biopsy performed.

The tumor had spread to my hard palate so I had pretty radical surgery to save my life.
Total Rhinectomy (Nose removal)and Palectomy (Hard Palate removal)was performed last July. The surgeon did an excellent job, however he did not tell me I would be "Mute" without a device called an "Obturator" (mouthpiece-retainer) he also went very close to the roots of my teeth as that was where the tumor was headed next.

I am now eight months cancer free! And so far no radiation or chemo!

I have to speak with an Obturator (Mouthpiece-Retainer) and I am going thru some painful procedures at UCLA Maxillofacial Dental Division.
I have adapted well but I am dealing with some anger issues. I have found that doing some inter-action on some cancer sites have helped out. But I tend to act out my anger at the wrong times within my family, so it causes some family issues that are difficult for a man to express.

I go out in public with a huge bandage over my former nasal area, and have a daily struggle with
pain in my teeth and speaking clearly.

I am still off work as I was an outside sales person and work in the advertising field, filled with people who are big on appearance! I suppose I fit the "In-between" cancer survivor" for this site. But I can sympathisize with people who are dealing with the Oral Pain and the anxiety of reoccurrence. However SO FAR SO GOOD!

hi blane , welcome ,although its not the place u would choose to be however u have found the ideal place ,the support from the people on this site is magnifecant]sp to me it is a sanctury somewhere were everyone understands and supports u may ur god go with u .

my best regards maz

Hello Blyne,

Is there any plastic surgery they can do for you?
Haven't heard anything about the type and location of your cancer. It sounds like you came through the surgery pretty well. I hope you continue to progress to a complete and full recovery!!

The family issues are fairly typical. We tend to vent on those close to us. We don't mean it but thats usually the way it goes. Caregivers deserve a special place in heaven. It puts alot of stress on the family. You can ask for some anti-depressant drugs to help you through the healing phase. Most of us are on them.

Best Wishes, Danny Boy

HI BLAYNE , GLAD TO HEAR U R DOING WELL . YOUR FAMILY CATCHES THE BLUNT OF YOUR ANGER BECAUSE THEY R CLOSER TO U . IT WILL GET BETTER , I HAVE DONE THE SAME THING . MY ANGER WAS EVEN DIRECTED OUTSIDE OF MY HOME . PEOPLE IN PUBLIC . I THOUGHT I WOULD HURT SOMEONE . NOT ON PURPOSE BUT BECAUSE I WAS SO FULL OF ANGER . IT WILL GET BETTER I PROMISE . U CAN GET SOME ANTI-DEPPRESSANTS . I DID . IT REALLY DOES SEEM TO HELP . ANTTIME U NEED TO TALK U CAN EMAIL ME @ [email protected]. HOPE U HAVE A GOOD DAY .

HI MAZ334 . HOW R U ? FINE I HOPE . I C U RESPONDED TO MY TOPIC , BUT I CAN'T C YOUR REPLY . SORRY . IM NOT GOOD AT THESE FORUMS OR MESSAGE BOARDS . I ASK PEOPLE TO EMAIL ME . MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS [email protected] . IF U EMAIL ME I WILL RESPOND BACK . THANK U TONYA

HI DANIEL BOGAN , ITS MODAPPU . I GOT YOUR REPLY BUT I DONT C IT IN THE FORUM . U CAN EMAIL ME @ [email protected] . WE CAN TALK LIKE THAT IF U DONT MIND . IM NOT GOOD AT MESSAGE BOARDS OR FORUMS . I DONT KNOW WHY BUT IT SEEMS DIFFCULT TO ME OR MAYBE IM MAKING IT TOO HARD . I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TALK WITH U THROUGH EMAIL . TONYA

Hi Blayne,

I am really excited to hear you are 8 months cancer free. Your story is yet another example of what we all seem to go through trying to convice the medical folks something isn't right. I am truly sorry for the journey you have had and want you to know you are a true warrior to have endured what you have had to get to this point.

I don't know if you are aware, but I believe you would qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. You have to be disabled for one year and after a five month waiting period, you will receive an amount that is somewhat close to what you would receive if you retired, based on what you have paid in to your account. It is not automatic but I can't imagine not getting approved based on the level of surgery, etc., you have endured. You can check it out on www.ssa.gov or call the nearest Social Security office.

If you take hit the "New Topic" button on the top of this page, you can start your own thread under any topic you desire. It may be especially helpful to get more responses to your questions. For example, After Treatment Issues might be a better place to ask your question about the Obturator with that listed as your topic.

Best wishes to you.

Ed