#25092 12-09-2007 04:00 PM | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 | Hello folks.
I'm Robert. I've been reading through the forums and felt it was time to introduce myself.
In September I was diagnosed with a stage IV throat cancer that started at the base of my tongue. I had been completely asymptomatic prior to a lymph swelling up.
I had surgery 10/30 to remove a 4cm tumor from my neck plus lymph nodes and fatty tissue. It was agreed a resection could be avoided with a sucessful course of chemo & radiation.
I'm just about to start my third week of chemo/radiation.
I'm glad I found someplace that lets me know I'm not alone in this.
SCC, Stage IV, Base of tongue. Dx 9\07. Surg.10\07. IMRTx35 and 2 Cycles of Cisplatin concurrent 11/07. Finished 01/08.
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#25093 12-09-2007 04:17 PM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 493 | Robert,
Welcome, glad you found us but sorry you are here. Godspeed on your journey and if you need any help please don't hesitate to ask. There are plenty here who will help.
Tim
Tim Stoj 60 yr old. Dx Jun 06 with BOT Stage IV. Neck dissesction on 19 Jun 06. Started Tx on 21 Aug 06/completed 33 IMRTs and 3 CT (2 Cisplat & 1 Carboplat) on 5 Oct 06.
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#25094 12-09-2007 04:35 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Welcome, Robert. Not the club that was probably at the top of your list to join, but it is a great group.
Your diagnosis and treatment plan is almost identical to mine. Neck node was somewhat smaller, but otherwise the same. Was your neck dissection on one side or bilateral? How large is the primary?
I am now 5 months out from treatment end, and go back to the CCC for a follow up visit in the morning. Keep us in the loop, and please do not hesitate to ask for help or information. Jeff SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007 T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007 39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07 Complete response to treatment so far!!
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#25095 12-09-2007 06:37 PM | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 | Welcome to a new Seattle friend. I adore Seattle and would love to find myself living on that side of the country some day.
My husband had base of tongue cancer too, it was a rough go for him of RT and chemo. But, he made it through. Family, friends his treatment team and this board made it possible. Had I felt isolated and alone, this journey would have been significantly harder.
He is 4 months post treatment and doing great!!!! Every week there are huge improvements!
We're here for you. Let us know if you have questions or concerns. Come visit and share often. It's such a great community!
All the best! Margaret ---------- C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx) Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3) Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
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#25096 12-09-2007 07:38 PM | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 | Thanks all.
No, this was the last thing I was thinking of doing with my life
Jeff my neck surgery wasn't a resection. The tumor that was removed was the mastasis. The primary is at the base of my tongue and SCC tumor size is really hard to judge from scans.
I've been blessed to have a huge support group to get me through this.
SCC, Stage IV, Base of tongue. Dx 9\07. Surg.10\07. IMRTx35 and 2 Cycles of Cisplatin concurrent 11/07. Finished 01/08.
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#25097 12-10-2007 05:03 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Robert --
Yours is exactly the same as my situation, primary at the base of the tongue and metastasis to the lymph node. The surgery you had for the lymph node is technically called a neck dissection. I was just wondering if they did only one side of your neck, or both sides. Jeff SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007 T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007 39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07 Complete response to treatment so far!!
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#25098 12-10-2007 10:10 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Welcome Robert
You've found a compassionate and knowledgeable group of new friends to help you through. We understand what you are experiencing both physically and emotionally.
Ask all your small and large questions here and someone will offer support.
Wishing you well with your treatment. Love from Helen.
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#25099 12-10-2007 04:03 PM | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 | Hello Robert, and a big welcome to OCF! Let us know how we can help you...here we are!
Best of luck with your chemo and radiation...we'll be thinking of you during this most difficult time..........
Lois & Buzz in NC
CG to 77 y/o hubby;SCC Alveolar Ridge; Wake Forest Baptist Hosp surgery: 07/19/07; bi mod radical resection/jaw replacement; T2 N2-B M0 Stage IV-A 28 IMRT + 6 Paclitaxel/Carboplatin Getting stronger every day!
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#25100 12-10-2007 07:10 PM | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 | Thank you Helen, Lois and Buzz.
Thank you Jeff for clarifying that for me. Too many terms and such so fast.
I only had lymph nodes removed from the right side of my neck and shoulder.
SCC, Stage IV, Base of tongue. Dx 9\07. Surg.10\07. IMRTx35 and 2 Cycles of Cisplatin concurrent 11/07. Finished 01/08.
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#25101 12-11-2007 10:59 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Robert
Welcome to the best support group possible. How old are you? Were you a smoker? Were you more than a casual drinker?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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