| | Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 4 Member | | Member
Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 4 | To all that here, those to come, all who make this possible. Thank you.
I'm Rich everybody, thanks for being here. I'm a 48 yr. old man, I was diagnosied in Sep 2013 with SCC/ Opharangyeal cancer/stage-1. On Dec.9th my treatment begins with surgery to remove the primary tumor located just right of mid-line on my soft palate. I expect to lose most if not all of the soft palate. I've been doing lots research since the beginni ng, but the only thing I'm really sure of is that cancer is trying to end my life, and that I'm dependent on others to keep that from happening.... Cancer is changing my life. I'm just trying to figure out how I can take these changes and turn it into something good...
We got one chance, at one life, when will we learn...
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 4 Member | | Member
Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 4 | what types of issue can I expect to face without a prothesis after surgeons remove my soft palate?
We got one chance, at one life, when will we learn...
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 104 | Hi Rich,
I see that no one has responded, so I just wanted to say hi. Sorry to hear about your Dx. I am new as well and don't know anything about soft palate surgery.
Brian
Stage IV TxN2aM0 HPV+ SCC 38 y.o. male
9/20/13 Sentinel Node Found
12/5/13 Start of 72Gy and 5 bags of Cisplatin
1/21/14 Treatment Ends
1/25/15 1 Yr clear
| | | | | 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 | Welcome to OCF. Im glad you have found our forum to get info and support. You are dealing with alot of major changes and decisions. We will do our best to help you thru everything.
It sounds like you are facing a life changing surgery in the next few weeks. Im sure this is not an easy situation waiting for it. If you have questions, schedule another appointment with your surgeon and take a list of your concerns. Im sure the doctor will be happy to review everything in detail with you. Dont go into this without fully understanding every step of the process and what you are facing with recovery. This surgery will impact your speech, eating and drinking.
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: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 | Hello RC:
Welcome to a new family, it's large, a lot of new brothers and sisters who share the common element of oral cancer with you.
While I don't know much about soft palate cancer and the issues that go with it, I'm sure there are several here who do. They just haven't been online since you joined, so be patient they will eventually speak.
In the meantime, if you get a little down (and a lot of people do) the family can help with that too. There's lots written here about how to get through this thing one day at a time and if necessary one hour at a time. So, lean on us if the need arises. We've been there before. We know what it's like.
take care, stay strong.
Put on your mask, it's gonna be a gunfight.
Tony
P.S. Quote explained in Friends Forum.
Last edited by n74tg; 11-19-2013 04:56 AM.
Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)
09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good
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