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#3715 09-10-2004 11:28 AM
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Hi everyone,

The biopsy finally came in today. This is what it says.....

Metastatic Carcinoma (Cytokeratin positive). The mass is in the right maxilla.

I guess they are still waiting for some more stains to be completed. They are still unsure of the type of cancer and where it came from. They mention carcinoma and sarcoma.

Anyway, Grandma has finally been admitted into the hospital. It took my mom phoning once, my aunt twice and me twice. Then the doctor had the nerve to say....."I don't know why you took her home last weekend when you brought her in". I couldn't believe he said that.....and to think, he is suppose to be the best in Edmonton!!

She has been scheduled for radiation for Friday (next week)....that may change, as they are doing another test on Tuesday or Wednesday.

At least now she is in the hospital getting the care she should be.

Christy

#3716 09-10-2004 11:55 AM
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Hello Christy
I am so glad to hear you finally have the answers you were looking for..maybe you can relax a bit knowing she is getting the attention she needs.If that Doc is the best Edmonton has to offer, God help y`all. Just keep nipping at his heels ..you know the saying "the sqeaky wheel gets the most oil!!"
Take care
Marica


Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
#3717 09-10-2004 12:06 PM
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Thank you Marica.....:-))

I just have to get my Grandma nipping at those same wheels.....LOL

Christy

#3718 09-10-2004 12:45 PM
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Hi Christy,
This is from the NCI cancer terms dictionary. I hope it help you understand the report a little better.

metastatic cancer: Cancer that has spread from the place in which it started to other parts of the body.

I was not able to find "Cytokeratin".

More terms:

sarcoma: A cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

carcinoma (KAR-si-NO-ma) Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

maxilla: The upper jawbone.


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
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)
#3719 09-10-2004 01:17 PM
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Hi Christy!

I think you can now redefine the long weekend. I'm glad you were all persistent in fighting for your grandma. Now be patient as they try and find the right pain meds. In our prayers.

David


T1N0M0 Partial Glossectomy 2/04, Recurrance w/ another P.G. 5/04. IMRTx33 7/04-9/04. T2N2M0 recurrance in throat, 11/04.
2nd tumor 1/06/05, Chemo 1/11-05 Died 02-16-05 Wife: Brenda
#3720 09-10-2004 01:33 PM
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Christy,

I'm so glad your grandma is getting the care she needs. Persistence does pay off! If it were me, I think I would have bopped that doctor!!!

Rainbows, hugs, giggles, lollipops and everything good I can think of.......coming your way, wink laugh
Rosie


Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.
#3721 09-10-2004 02:51 PM
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Hi Christy,
I adore my grandmother and am sorry you have to deal with your grandmother being sick. Good luck with it all and if you need anything let us know.
Minnie


SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
#3722 09-10-2004 04:02 PM
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Gary & Christy,

I found cytokeratin on several medical research sites, but was not able to understand much about it. There are also at least 2 pages right here on OCF that have this term. It seems maybe it is some type of biological marker found in some SCC's? Gary, you understand these things much better than me. If interested, here are links to 2 of the pages:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/cdc/cdc_chapter2.htm

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/news/story.asp?newsId=250

Or you can just go to the main page of OCF and type cytokeratin in the search field. I don't know if much of this is really relevant at this point, but thought it interesting for those who are curious to learn more.

Rosie


Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.
#3723 09-10-2004 04:47 PM
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Hi Christy:

I've been following your concerns to get help for your Grandmother. I hope you and your family will find relief now that Grandma has entered the system. I live in Edmonton and had my surgery Oct 2003 at the U of A Hospital. I was told when I went to see the specialist He was the best in western Canada. If I think I know who you are talking about I would like you to E-mail me
privately, and maybe I can give you some insite into all of this.


Best regards

Greg

#3724 09-10-2004 05:26 PM
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Hello to everyone.....:-))

Just got home from the hospital.....oh my!!

Grandma got to the hospital at 4:00 pm. Mom and I got there at 7:00 and she was sitting in an eye doctor chair. We found the nurse and asked why it was taking so long when they were expecting her. The nurse went to find out.....and yes, Grandma was expected to be there. Anyway, the nurse said the doctor was on the way to see her. Mom and I left at 9:00 pm and the doctor still hadn't seen her.....not to mention no pain medication.

Now I am wondering if she was better off at home.....wow!!

Grandma is not a happy camper right now.....:-((

Another question.....does anyone know why she is twitching when she sleeps? Just thought I would ask......:-)) She didn't do that before the cancer?

Thanks again for all your support.....I don't know what I would do without everyone.....:-))

Christy

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