I am so glad I found this site.
I am 83 years old. I am a young 83, diagnosed in March of 2024. I had surgery May 7, 2024 at University of Michigan. I was and am a non smoker, did not drink alcohol since I was very young, have not done recreational drugs.
Believe me this diagnosis of SSC was so shocking. I was at my dentist getting a crown placed. Prep had been January 2024. My dentist was on maternity leave and a retired dentist was filling in. He looked in my mouth and went out of the room. When h came back, he said, I want someone else to look in your mouth, an oral surgeon and you need to go there right now. I had no idea what was going on. I was totally confused.
Anyway, I drove 25 miles to see the oral surgeon who said I needed to pack a bag and get to U of M immediately. Go to Emergency Dept and tell them something is growing in my mouth and needs to be seen right away. U of M is over 2 hours south of where we live.
We went to Ann Arbor the next day, walked in and was seen immediately. People wait for months to get an appointment there. Anyway, I was examined right away, in the hallway, as they were packed. I had the biopsy, right then, Resident walked it to the lab and waited and brought the results to me. When he said "I don't want to tell you this" I said I already know.
I am trying to remember what all happened but in reality it was a whirlwind 2 months. Tests and more tests and appointments.
Surgery May 7, 2024 The beginning of my long journey.
Diagnosis:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Oral Cavity
