| | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I can't believe it.
February 19th will be 11 years since my first diagnosis
September 23rd was my 7th year since my second diagnosis
I have been through the surgeries, the treatments and was finally feeling better - ready to focus on my overall health and worry less about cancer. Over the past year I have lost some weight and I continue to work to become more fit.
Then this morning I noticed the lumps. Two of them on the left side of my neck (1st cancer side) about two inches below my chin bone.
Cue the quivering worried mess that I am. Why did I believe that I 'had a handle' on this? How arrogant! I think the demon time lulled me into believing I was past cancer.
I value my long time cancer friends beyond belief, and I remain in contact with them, but I must say that in the past year or so I felt that I had so little to add to the excellent advice that was already being provided on this site. That would be why the newer posters would not know me. A post of 'yes - what she said' would hardly be helpful now would it?
I know that sometimes a lump is just a lump. I do not have a cold or the flu so there is no reason that I know of for lymph nodes to be irritated, nor do I even know that these are lymph node locations!
I am fighting to take some of my own very good advice - its not cancer until the biopsy says it is, don't let cancer steal today, try to stay busy, get in to see the doctor asap (emails despatched today), etc, etc. Now I just wish that one of those pieces of advice made my gut quit clenching!!!
Hugs to all
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 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: 7 | Oh Donna, Im so very sorry you have another scare. Every single time everything is going smoothly something just has to mess it up. Please try your very best not to panic, it only makes it harder on you. Keep repeating to yourself... sometimes a lump is just a lump! First thing Monday morning, make an appointment to get this checked out. Keep us posted.
(((HUGS)))
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: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 | I remember you, Donna, from my first times on this site. Seems strange for the cancer to come back after such a long time so I'm hoping it is just some other bodily aberration. I identify with every word you write because I go through the same feelings with every ulcer, lump and bump. It's Monday afternoon here now so hope it is close to when you can talk to a doctor or nurse.
Thinking of you!!!
Regards
Maureen
1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 | So sorry to see you post in such a fright. Good advice to take - your own. Make an appointment on Monday and get it checked out. Make every day count and every good day is a happy and worry free one, right?
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I have an appointment for next Monday. That is the earliest I could get and I suppose it is a good thing that a week should be allowed to pass in case it is just swollen lymph nodes due to a mild cold or some such innocuous thing. Thanks all - I always know I can rely on your support when I have lost my way Hugs. Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Oh my goodness, Donna - So glad you have that appointment for next Monday. I go thru those "lumps and bumps" feelings too and it's my son that had the OC! Try to stay away from the "what-ifs" because they may never happen and it could be just some minor thing. Sometimes the L & B's we notice are like what we say about "If a sore in your mouth last longer than two weeks, then see an ENT". Could be the same with the L & B's and it might just go away even before next Monday! Sending positive vibes for good news coming your way!
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | HI, Donna,
Just wanted to say that I am sorry you are going through the stress of this new thing. What a humongous drag! I am sending you my bestest thoughts and prayers. Like you, I have not posted here much either lately. Don't know a lot of new folks but there are a lot of us oldies who still peek in from time to time.
Since completing your treatment, you have been living your life. Good for you! You never let fear paralyse you before. Keep on kickin' ass!
Anita (68)
CG to husband, Clark, 79,
DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08,
HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft.
Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear,
PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture
Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14
Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22
PEG 7/21
Botox injections
| | | | | 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 | Hugs my dear... It is possible you have a bit of an infection or irritation you aren't aware of so I am sticking with that as an explanation, and crossing my fingers it's nothing. blessings to you that you get good news!!!!
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: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | So sorry you are going through this! I feel your pain as I am having some suspicious nodes looked at on Wednesday. Hopefully both of ours will end up being nothing to worry about. I am distracting myself by eating my favorite foods and watching some movies I've been putting off seeing. Basically doing whatever the heck I want. Hugs and prayers to you.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 | Hi Donna,
So sorry you are going through another cancer scare again. It's nearly 10 years since my first diagnosis and 5 years since the second and I still became a basket case if I notice anything unusual. How can you not?
I'm glad you have a doctor appointment on Monday and I pray that the lumps are just that. Hugs and good vibes heading your way!
Susan
SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0
Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV-
Surgery: June 2005
RT: Feb-Apr 2006
HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105!
Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010
Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia
Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia
Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
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