| | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 54 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 54 | Well I got my biopsy results today. The cancer is in my jaw. I'll be needing reconstructive surgery soon. I'm at a loss. Anyone who has dealt with this - I'll take any advice or guidance. Thanks. 
Age 44. Diagnosed at 34 (2006) with T1N0 SCC tongue on right side. Neck dissed & 6 weeks Radiation. 30% tongue removed. Never smoked;
2nd recurrence 1/2013 on left side. Surgery to remove 2/2013 forearm flap/neck dissec T1N0; brachytherapy 4/2013;
3rd recurrence 11/2015 mandibulectomy for jaw bone cancer Stage IV/no lymph node involvement
| | | | | 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 | Im so sorry, Lola!!!!
Ive been thru OC 3 times in 3 consecutive years. The 3rd round was rough, needing to have my lower jaw removed. Its a big surgery, usually 10+ hours. Ive seen many OC patients go thru this and helped them. Most have fared better and recovered faster than I did too.
Ask your doc lots of questions. Prepare yourself for at least one week in the hospital, but probably it will be more like 2 weeks (if complications maybe even longer). Line up some helpers for when you first come home. The recovery can be lengthy and you could need some help to get around (especially if the doc is talking about taking a section of bone from your leg for your jaw).
Hang in there, you can do this!!!
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: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 | I'm very sorry and saddened to hear about the recurrence. You are at the right place to get wonderful insight and front line experience from many who have fought the battle with the beast more than once.
I'm praying treatment goes well and the beast is killed!
Don
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: Jun 2011 Posts: 54 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 54 | My dr wants me to get Pet, head CT scan and chest X-ray. Is the chest X-ray typical? I'm trying not to read into it. I feel good physically except my C issues. How do handle the anxiety, especially at bed time?
Don, where were you treated? I'm in the same area as you.
Thanks
Age 44. Diagnosed at 34 (2006) with T1N0 SCC tongue on right side. Neck dissed & 6 weeks Radiation. 30% tongue removed. Never smoked;
2nd recurrence 1/2013 on left side. Surgery to remove 2/2013 forearm flap/neck dissec T1N0; brachytherapy 4/2013;
3rd recurrence 11/2015 mandibulectomy for jaw bone cancer Stage IV/no lymph node involvement
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | I'm sorry to hear about the recurrence. It's pretty much standard work up to have a chest x-ray, CT, PET-CT from the cancer diagnosis, and stage. Although my cancer was in the oropharynx, with local regional metastases, I had 7 recurrences in four years, and had to go through just about the same diagnostic procedures for each as I did with my first cancer in 2009. I tried to keep busy, and read extensively about my planned surgeries, and treatments, which may have helped with fear of the unknown, at least for me, and otherwise tried to relax, listen to music, zoned most everything out, even the mail sometimes. pumped myself up, and stay healthy.
Good luck with everything.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 54 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 54 | Thanks Paul. You are an inspiration for sure. 7 is not fair for anyone.
Age 44. Diagnosed at 34 (2006) with T1N0 SCC tongue on right side. Neck dissed & 6 weeks Radiation. 30% tongue removed. Never smoked;
2nd recurrence 1/2013 on left side. Surgery to remove 2/2013 forearm flap/neck dissec T1N0; brachytherapy 4/2013;
3rd recurrence 11/2015 mandibulectomy for jaw bone cancer Stage IV/no lymph node involvement
| | | | | 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 | If you are having any issues with anxiety, you are not alone. Many OC (or any other type of cancer) patients struggle with this too. Many take anxiety meds to help them get thru things. Even many caregivers will too. Its nothing to be ashamed of, its just another tool to help get you thru this.
A chest xray s pretty standard for OC patients. Its probably being done to rule out any spread to the lungs which is a common place for OC to return to.
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 | | |
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