Survivor thoughts, advice for newcomers

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Survivor thoughts, advice for newcomers #197172 09-18-2018 05:30 AM 09-18-2018 05:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 98 Boston suburb T tlc356 OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
tlc356 OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) T Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 98 Boston suburb	Based on my experience having had two operations for oral cancer since 2003, I would like to suggest four thoughts for newcomers. 1) Since oral cancer hits only about 1% of the population, seek professional care from a medical center that specializes in cancer and has oral cancer specialists on staff. 2) Don’t be afraid to travel extra hours to such a center-your disease can be life threatening. 3) Follow-on care may be done at a location closer to your home that the cancer center works with. 4) Don’t wait to get help, and don’t second guess expert opinion but do get a second professional opinion if concerned. SCC stage 1 Nov. '03, SCC stage 2 (clear mrg, no rad, no chemo) RND, Feb. '15 TLC356

Re: Survivor thoughts, advice for newcomers [Re: tlc356] #197175 09-18-2018 08:54 PM 09-18-2018 08:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 71 V VirgoMomof3Boys Supporting Member (50+ posts)
VirgoMomof3Boys Supporting Member (50+ posts) V Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 71	Thank you! I was just called today actually with my diagnosis so this is helpful news for me. I do have a cancer center nearby, I don't know the exact method to get referred, but when I see the ENT tomorrow I am going to make it known that I want an oncologist and treatment from the cancer center. He called mine squamous cell and said I'm T1 but close to becoming a T2. So it looks like I have a similar diagnosis as you so far. Laura Age 40 Tongue lesion on left side grew and was hurting in mid-August Dx as squamous cell carcinoma on 9.18.18 Left Neck Dissection and tongue surgery, lost a fourth of my tongue on 10.1.18, tumor had grown to a T3 Margins were clear except front section of tongue margin had three stray cancer cells that were not in the tumor Additional surgery 10.18.18 to remove another cm near where the stray cells were found 33 radiation treatments from Nov 2018 through Jan 2019

Re: Survivor thoughts, advice for newcomers [Re: VirgoMomof3Boys] #197177 09-19-2018 04:31 AM 09-19-2018 04:31 AM
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 98 Boston suburb T tlc356 OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
tlc356 OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) T Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 98 Boston suburb	I've sent you a private message. Tom SCC stage 1 Nov. '03, SCC stage 2 (clear mrg, no rad, no chemo) RND, Feb. '15 TLC356