#27675 08-12-2005 07:24 PM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | Have biopsy scheduled. Am really scared at chance of survival if diagnosed. Any words of encoragement b/c I'm really lost here. | | |
#27676 08-12-2005 07:36 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 | Airplane, Please try to relax! There are many things besides cancer, and if it is you have every possibility of winning the fight. Remember it is NOT cancer until the pathology report says so. I know these are just words but I have been exactly where you are.
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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#27677 08-12-2005 08:30 PM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | is it true that chances of survival are less than brain cancer | | |
#27678 08-12-2005 11:02 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 | Yes but better than many other forms of cancer. The stats don't tell the whole story either - health habits, etc. If you have been a heavy tobacco and/or alcohol abuser then you probably should worry. There are many here who have survived advanced stage cancer and some with early stage who have died so you just never know. Your odds are a lot better if you are treated at a comprehensive cancer center. It's too soon to worry about odds - you don't have a diagnosis yet. Take a deep breath and ask your doctor for some anti-anxiety meds.
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)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#27679 08-13-2005 04:04 AM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | What is a comprehensive cancer center? My apologies for the negativity. You guessed it. Just a little anxious. | | |
#27680 08-13-2005 05:16 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Airplane,
At a comprehensive cancer center you typically get the combined skills of a multi-disciplined head and neck cancer team (surgery, radiation, and chemo) to evaluate your case and determine the best course of treatment -- IF you need treatment. (I hope you don't -- you may still find that your biopsy shows something benign.)
On this site, under Other Resources, there is a link to comprehensive cancer centers that have been designated as such by the National Cancer Institute.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#27681 08-13-2005 09:18 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Airplane,
I don't have to guess anymore. I have been a patient advocate here for over 2 years and know the territory fairly well (I was also a former primary caregiver for my dad who died from cancer and an advanced stage cancer survivor myself).
It's almost impossible not to be negative but the hysteria CAN be controlled.
Cathy forgot to mention NCCN member institutions as well. They are also listed in the resources section.
You're getting ahead of yourself. You don't have a pathology report yet. Take it one day at a time. Stay out of the future - it doesn't belong to us anyway. Don't get too caught up in the horror stories here - it will just feed your anxiety.
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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#27682 08-13-2005 10:32 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Airplane.
Gary gives good advice, one day at a time. When is your biopsy, and where are you having it done?
As you can see we have all been around for a long while and none of us have any intention of becoming a statisic...
Sunshine... love and Hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#27683 08-13-2005 09:18 PM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | Thank you for all the kind words. This site is a great place to be. Having biopsy sometime this week. They confirm date Monday morning. My mother is a cancer survivor and I respect everyone on this site. I know it is not easy. It is being done at a hospital in central TX where my uncle is practicing. I don't mean to jump the gun, but it is a little overwhelming. | | |
#27684 08-14-2005 05:07 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Hey, Airplane, set it on cruise control and take a very deep breath for now. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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