#26221 03-25-2004 12:34 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 Platinum Member (300+ posts) |  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 | Tina, There's a lot of things it could be and not be cancer. A couple of months ago my oncologist insisted I have an area on my cheek biopsied, from the pics on the site here it was a tossup whether or not cancer. Had the surgeon take the whole lesion out, about the size of a dime.
Turned out to be lichen planus, really nothing to worry about. But, better safe than sorry, and instead of having a pretty bad looking lesion, it's now just scar tissue.
Hang in there and good luck.
Bob
SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
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#26222 03-25-2004 03:17 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Thank you for correcting my speech
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#26223 03-25-2004 04:34 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 274 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 274 | I don't know Gary, I'm with Mark here. Stanford and UCSF are fairly large hospitals. I go to MSKCC in NYC and it is REALLY large! It takes up several city blocks. | | |
#26224 03-27-2004 09:26 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6 | Hi, me again. As you know, We havent even had the biopsy yet, but it is soon. After reading about treatment options and the difficulty it entails, Mike has made a decision. If it is an aggresive cancer, and he's waited too long (4months) he will refuse all treatment. This isnt a knee jerk reaction. He has weighed his options and decided.Aside from this, he has had many other medical problems (serious ones) and he has had enough. His faith is strong, and he would rather just go home to Heaven with rest and peace.Again, thank you all for your words of comfort and hope, and I'm still praying for a good outcome. But we shall see. Thank you again, and please forgive me if i come here and post sounding like a crazy woman. Fondly, Tina | | |
#26225 03-27-2004 12:24 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Tina,
four months is NOT a long time and cancer death really sucks -especially without any kind of intervention or palliative care.
You can tell him he is going really piss some people off around here who have chosen to fight in spite of horrible odds. Many of us are alive to tell about it in spite of the rigors of the treatment and we are grateful to be alive and enjoying life with our families and loved ones.
If his faith is indeed as strong as you claim then he must fight. God did not give us the spirit of fear. We would all like to go to heaven but one has to ask if God's perfect plan for him life is to lay down and give up and let disease take him. Somehow I doubt it. He needs counseling.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#26226 03-28-2004 12:03 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hi Tina & Mike,
The easiest thing to do is give up. I don't think
It's the right decision to make at all. So mamy members of this forum have endured all kinds of treatments that knock the hell out of you but they are around to tell us about it. They are fighters!!!! That's what Mike needs to do. To roll over and let this diaease win without a battle is lame. He can survive this!!!!
Remember that we are here to offer support and he can vent here anytime. The road is not nice and smooth but rather bumpy. Nothing worth fighting for is easy. He will be able to hold his head high knowing he gave it his all. What he is experiencing is not unique. Time to get over the poor me attitude and start fighting this with all he's got. Gary was right on when he said that this type of death is not an attractive way to go. Have Mike talk to his minister and some survivors and he will get in the game. Fight like Hell!!!! He can win this battle, so many others have.
Best wishes, Dan
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#26227 04-06-2004 11:45 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6 | Hi All, well, the biopsy is tomorrow. Mike is very afraid, as am I. The future is very uncertian, and we have no idea what to tell the kids. We dont want to panic them, but if its a bad outcome we dont want them to feel like theyve been run over by a truck.Its very tricky.
Also, Mike had to delay the biopsy so he could stop the coumadin, so the wait has been longer than we had hoped. Now, more lesions are appearing under the tongue, and the throat & tongue one have deteriorated FAST. i have no idea how to deal with this. Its like a roller coaster. Please pray for us. Thanks, Tina | | |
#26228 04-06-2004 01:02 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 143 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 143 | Tina, you`re right, about the roller coaster.....somewhere, some way, you will find the strength to fight the battle.....Sometimes, it takes getting really angry, and saying Hell, No, I`m not ready to go ! I know how scared you and Mike are right now, fear walks the path with us......but I`ve learned we as souls can fight battles, we never asked for, and even some we lose,we still win the war...........Peace and Prayers..........Dee | | |
#26229 04-06-2004 03:43 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Tina,
I will pray for God to give you calmness and peace. I know this is such a difficult time but rest assured He will be with you every step of the way. We are all here if you need anything.
God Bless You!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#26230 04-13-2004 08:53 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6 | The best news !!!!!! Mike's biopsy was benign, no cancer. Praise God, what a relief. But we learned 3 things: How very precious life is, how many good and supportive people we have in our lives (including this board), and ITS NOT CANCER TIL THE PATHOLOGIST SAYS IT IS !!!!! That was the one I couldnt get to sink in my hard head.Thank uou all for your kind words and most of all your prayers. I will be praying for all of you, too. Fondly, Tina | | |
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