Hi to all,

I'mm 44 years old married to a wonderful wife, where we together have three beautiful daughters (13, 10, and 6).

This last summer I noticed a submadibular lymph node that was hardended, and noticed that it would not go away..in fact, it kept getting larger. Node was movable--that's good, I thought.

Finally went to my GP, who diagnosed a neck mass and a CT scan, then to a local ENT who looked at me with the scope and couldn't find anything anomalous. Then had a fine needle biopsy, which came back suspicious for metastatic carcinoma (however, was inconclusive).

My wife, God bless her, got me an appointment at a top 50 cancer center, with a top notch ent doctor, who recommended surgery to excise and biopsy the node. He was unsure of the prognosis, as it could have be a brachical cleft cyst.

I had surgery two weeks ago--it was supposed to be an outpatient to excise the node, and I would be on my way home.

I woke up from surgery, in a daze, and can only barely remember my wife telling me that they took out my tonsil, and that I was in surgery for 4-plus hours. I also barely remember her saying the "C" word.

The next morning I woke up in my room, and got the bad news--that the lymph node tested positive for squamous cell carcinoma, and that the primary tumor, at this time, was unknown. The surgeon removed the enlarged lymph nodes, surrounding lymph nodes and tissue, my tonsil, and a salivary gland. I had, I guess, radical neck surgery. I have a slit from my earlobe to my adam's apple. I stayed in the hospital one more day and then checked out.

The next week the surgeon called me with the good news--the primary was in the tonsil, no other lymph nodes were positive, and that there was no extrcapsular spread from the lymph node.

I meet next week with the ent oncologist, the radiologist, and the chemo doctor to hear their recommendations for treatment. My ent doctor intimated that localized radiation to the tonsil area and neck would be recommended with a potential (adjuvant)chemo treatment.

I feel lucky that this was caught when it was, that I went to a top notch surgeon, and that the cancer, at least for now, appears to have been corralled. I am healthy and went back to work this week.

However, I also feel short changed, sad, regretful, apprehensive, remorseful, and all of those other emotions anyone diagnosed with this dreadful disease would feel.

As I said earlier, I meet next week to discuss the treatment plan. I'm fearful of radiation and chemo. But, I get the feeling that there's not going to be a better way to get out of this alive, and I need to stay alive for a long time for the sake of my family.


God Bless You all,

Oscar


Stage II SCCA of Tonsil, Radical Neck Surgery Oct 07--Radiation, Chemo (Pending)??...

Oscar,

You have come to the right place for a lot of reasons....the biggest is being with folks who have walked this path before you and have a wonderful way of getting you thru this nightmare.

We understand your emotions...we have all felt the fear, but we know that knowledge is power and you will become well educated by reading and asking questions in this forum.

Best of luck to you, Deb

Welcome, Oscar. Let us help you through this difficult time. I did not have radiation, but I know the sadness you are feeling. If it continues....please see about getting an antidepressant for a while. I truly believe that there is often a sense of such loss......sometimes specific, sometimes generalized....loss of lifetime, loss of confidence in our good health.....whatever it might be, the sense is very real, and the grieving is very real..it was for me, anyway.

You have had the best care, evidently, and you will continue to get it, so you can be confident that you are doing the right thing if you do what they recommend.

Keep us posted!

XO--Colleen

Oscar instead of feeling short changed sweetheart you should feel grateful that you bypassed the dreadful stage of waiting for results and surgery.I am sure you were nervous before your surgery,but not nearly as much as you would have been if you had known you were getting a radical neck dissection!!

The diagnosis of cancer will inevitably leave you feeling stunned,angry and afraid in turn,but your prognosis looks good and thanks to you and your wifes dilligence you sound to have caught it nice and early.

Good luck with the treatment we will all be here to help with any questions or problems

love liz

Hi Oscar, and welcome to OCF! Looks like we're all in this together...let us help you if you need it. Keep reading and keep posting!


Lois & Buzz in NC

Oscar,

Welcome...I guess, I always feel funny saying that to new members. I don't come out of the shadows and post much anymore, but your story is very similar to mine. From the node to being told it was a cyst and then waking up with a big J inscision along the whole left side of my neck. We were even the same age at diagnosis. The only difference is my primary was in the base of tongue. And I only have one child but he was 6 when I was going through my treatments last year.

This past Oct 5 was my one year anniversary and things have been clear thus far. I still deal with the mental side of this dreadful disease but I like you have have a family that I need to be here for. As you'll see from my signature block I had both radiation and chemo. If there was any other treatment I would of had that too.

There are some tough times ahead for you. This board helped me through both physical and mental issues and still does. I found comfort here and I know you will to. If I can help further post here or you can PM me.

Keep us posted and know that you are in my prayers.

Tim

To all who posted, and to all that have read my story,

I thank you for reading my post,for your kind comments, concern, and genuine sympathy, empathy, and encouragement.

I feel lucky that there is a venue such as this to express ourselves and to demonstrate kindness and concern--which are, very simply, expressions of love.

Thank you,

Oscar

Oscar,
I, like Stoj, have mixed feelings saying welcome. I do, however, want to welcome you. You are in the right place for information, help, answers to all types of questions, and most of all love and support.
I cannot personally relate to Oral Cancer, but have come into contact with it way to often in my career as far as I'm concerned. The feelings you are having hit very close to home. I remember like it was yesterday.
We are all in your corner. I have come to know the members and visitors who come to this site as strong, emotional and informative. You can and will, as I have, learn a lot and learn from the experiences of others.
You are not alone!!!
Please feel free to PM or e-mail me if you think I can help.
My thoughts, prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery are with you and your family.

God Bless.

Mike

Oscar - I am so glad you found this site. There is a wealth of information and compassion here from knowledgeable and caring people who have been where you are and who are here to stand by you as you go thru this difficult time. My son's treatment ended almost a year ago and he is doing just fine. Stay close and let us know how you are doing.

Good luck with your treatments--stay strong!!! I awoke from a routine tonsillectomy to the 'C' word. It is quite shocking, when you are otherwise feeling well. Staying positive throughout your treatments can help enormously.

Oscar,

Your story sounds very similar to mine. The good news is that we are both very lucky people. If you would ever like to talk about your upcoming journey, please call me at 732-687-3518. All the best, life only gets better from here.

Regards,
Rob