| | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 1 | Hi! I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer of the mouth in March 2016. Cancer was at the bottom of my mouth....within two weeks I was in surgery. After 12 hours of surgery I came out with a fibula free flap. They removed 3/4 of my lower jaw and rebuilt it with a bone from my leg. I lost part of my tongue and after 8 months of recovery I was able to go back to work. My speech is slightly impaired, but I feel great. 32 sessions of radiation and two chemo treatments of Cisplatin were not fun, but my dogs made it so much easier for me to recover.....and laugh again. Cancer sucks, but with a good support system of friends, family and pets you can make it.
Last edited by ChristineB; 04-23-2017 11:30 AM. Reason: removed religion from post
J.Stuart
| | | | | 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 | Welcome to OCF, John! Its always great having fellow survivors join our ranks. You have been thru alot! I hope your experiences can help those just starting out.
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: Feb 2017 Posts: 67 Likes: 1 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 67 Likes: 1 | Thank you for posting this. It is good to hear you are doing well and were able to return to work.
Wife to DP. DX SCC BOT 1/31/17
First treatment 2/27/2017 Cisplatin 3 times and IMRT
Last treatment 4/18/2017
Clear PET 7/13/2017
PEG removed 8/4/2017
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Welcome John. It sounds like your recovery has gone well.
It is always good to hear from survivors as their stories are inspirational and give hope to others.
May you have many, many more anniversaries.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 16 Member | | Member
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 16 | Im so happy to hear about your journey into recovery. It's great to hear when peogle have encouraging testimonies. You are so right about the importance of a positive support system. And nothing compares to the love we get from our furry babies. They truly give us unconditional love. Cheers to your successful battle and to many celebrations ahead. Best regards,
Elany 😉
SCC 5/21/09 Base Of Tongue, Stage 4-age 42
5X Cipltn, 37 IMRT end 9/09
10/09 neck disection- 2nd Feed tube instal
2/11 Tracheostomy-
2/12 - 2/13 over 25 Diolations
2/14 Total voice loss
2/15 Total Laryngectomy Researched
2/16 Jaw bone starts to deteriorate TL put on Hold
6/16 30+ HBO dives
Annual PET shows NED until the hot spot lights up the jaw bone
1/17 Jaw Replacement research
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 | That's great to read, John. What an ordeal. But you've come through it with courage and grace. My best to you for a long and happy life!
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 9 Member | | Member
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 9 | Congrats!! You give us hope!!
31 years old, SCC, happy and healthy!
03/10/17: Diagnosis of Tongue Cancer
03/20/17: 9 hour surgery, Hemi-glossectomy, radial forearm free flap, femur skin graft
05/01/17: Radiation 6 weeks
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 81 Likes: 2 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 81 Likes: 2 | Congratulations! So glad to read your story. Appreciate your sharing.
Keep fighting friends!
Me -- currently 53 years old
SCC diagnosed 3/7/2017 at age 48
Staging SCC HPV+ T0,N1 primary unknown
PET 3/16, no activity, biopsies 3/23 benign
TORS surgery identified 2mm tumor in BOT (vallecula)
Cancer restaged T1, N2, M0
Begin 30 sessions of radiation (60 Gy) 6/13
Completed radiation 7/24/2017
1st MRI clear 10/23/2017!!
2nd MRI clear 10/17/2018!
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