Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#199223 10-09-2019 08:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
oc12 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Just wanted to say hello to everyone. Had my biopsy taken yesterday, my GP and surgeon pretty much told me I had tongue cancer though. Was supposed to have the biopsy a couple of days ago, but I told my surgeon I had made dinner reservations a while ago with family/friends so he let me put it off. Going to wait until the biopsy confirms it to tell my family about it.

Don't really know how I'm going to tell them. That may be the worst part of this.

Scared.


OC12
oc12 #199224 10-10-2019 04:10 AM
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Member
Offline
Member

Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Hi—I understand your anxiety. My husband and I waited to tell our adult children and family members until after the biopsy. Once we told them, it was a relief and could feel their loving support throughout. But that period between the doctors telling you they are suspicious of cancer and waiting for the results was more anxiety producing than the treatment. Once we knew for sure what he would be dealing with and the treatment plan, the mental relief was palpable. I am glad you have found this group—they are great! Check in frequently. Sending love and support!


Spouse of patient 7 weeks post radiation as of 9/30/19
ArdenDD #199225 10-10-2019 06:54 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
oc12 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Thank you so much ArdenDD! I will definitely be checking in.


OC12
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 57
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 57
Hey oc12. Welcome to the forum but I’m sorry about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with tongue cancer on Aug 3rd by my ent specialist. He cautioned me about it being a preliminary diagnosis and to wait from final confirmation from the biopsy, but he really didn’t leave much room for doubt.

With respect to your concern about informing family and friends, I guess it depends on the age and maturity of your family members. In my case, I let our adult children know right away. It would be hard to keep it from then and they all knew I was seeing the ent specialist right away. I think I leaned on the side of providing as much information as I had to them. Obviously the diagnosis had not been confirmed (that took another week), but I think it went well with them. If any of them had any questions, I encouraged them to ask. I think they all asked google a lot more and became quite informed about the (awful) affliction.

Good luck, and you will get lots of good input from this forum


Preliminary diagnosis of SqCC at base of tongue August 2, 2019.
Biopsy surgery on August 15
Confirmed sqcc from biopsy Aug 20 - hpv type 16
33 radiation treatments ended October 25, 2019.
3 (large dose) cisplatin treatments.
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 244
Likes: 2
"OCF across the pond"
Gold Member (200+ posts)
Offline
"OCF across the pond"
Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 244
Likes: 2
Hey oc12,

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I want to reassure you that you're not alone, we're all with you on here.

I was diagnosed on May 20th with tongue cancer. The phoone call to my family was terrifying, but their love and support has blown me away. Enjoy your meal, push your diagnosis to the back of your mind and really have an amazing night. Just be you when you deliver the news .


F 39 x-smoker no alcohol
05/20/19 T4aN1/N2bM0 SCC a whopper of a tumour at 8cm long & 4cm wide
Pembro pre & post surgery
RIG
Glossectomy ND RFFR 08/13/19
RT x33
2x cispltin
So far, no evidence of disease
Now an author of a recipe book for mouth cancer patients
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
oc12 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Thank you Barry Toronto and Dizz_zzey mfor the encouragement and advice, it helps!


OC12
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 3
Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Offline
Platinum Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 3
Glad you got to have your dinner! And you're right to wait till it's confirmed ... you never know, it might be something else. They really do have to check to be sure. It's good you have this time to prepare yourself, just in case, but better to wait the few extra days before setting off anyone else's anxiety (unless they would be a support for YOU ... in which case, enlist them now!). And way to go for finding this forum ... it's a fantastic resource! I didn't find it as soon as I might have, and I wish I had. I still find it helpful, even this far out.

((hugs)) for while you wait, and just remember that you are not alone.


Surgery 5/31/13
Tongue lesion, right side
SCC, HPV+, poorly differentiated
T1N0 based on biopsy and scan
Selective neck dissection 8/27/13, clear nodes
12/2/13 follow-up with concerns
12/3/13 biopsy, surgery, cancer returned
1/8/14 Port installed
PEG installed
Chemo and rads
2/14/14 halfway through carboplatin/taxotere and rads
March '14, Tx done, port out w/ complications, PEG out in June
2017: probable trigeminal neuralgia
Fall 2017: HBOT
Jan 18: oral surgery
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,267
Likes: 1
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,267
Likes: 1
oc12,

It’s not cancer until it’s proven by biopsy! Sometimes doctors are surprised that it is or isn’t! Until then, carry on any healthful benefits! In case it is cancer, we are here to support you, and that of your medical team!

Good luck


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: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
oc12 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Thank you KristenS and PaulB! I does make me feel better to have found this place and the people who are here!


OC12

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5