Results from the excisional biopsy came back today. It was positive for SCC. We are sad, pissed and all things in between, but still hopeful that further treatments can keep things on the upswing. We are in the process of getting records evaluated at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance so we have the best resources available to dance with the devil again. Can any of you tell me anything about a second go-round? What to expect, etc. We just got test results back and are supposed to meet with our local MO on Monday, but will probably be at SCCA instead (just waiting for a confirmation phone call back). We are not really sure what to expect once we are there.

I'm so sorry to hear about the positive biopsy results. What a bummer. I can relate as my husband was given the "all-clear" in mid-January following 35x IMRT last fall, and has just had a positive PET and is now considered a "treatment failure." He is scheduled for major surgery at the UW on 4/2/07 (SCCA only does the chemo/radiation end of things and at this point surgery is his only treatment).

As we are just beginning our own journey in "Phase II" I'm afraid I don't have any words of wisdom for you about what to expect, but I do understand at least some of what you must both be feeling and I will be here to listen and offer any support I can.

I'm glad you are getting advice from the folks at SCCA. It's a wonderful place with great practitioners.
-Tricia

jm-cm and Tricia,

You and your husbands are living through are worst fear. I have no advice to offer, but I will offer my hopes and prayers for both of your families.

Tim

jm-cm and Tricia- The 2nd time around is a very scary thing, indeed. Having been through it, my best recommendation to you is to #1. Try to get very honest answers from the Docs involved, #2. As negative as it sounds, if you don't have your financial affairs in shape [wills, powers of attorney, etc.] do it now, so you don't have to worry about it if things go from bad to worse. I'm speaking as a caegiver here, and while John was battling his recurrance, there were things I had to deal with that needed a power of attorney to change. Quite honestly, the above are things we all need to have in order if we own "stuff". At our age, either of us could have died first , and it makes no sense to let the goverment get first srack at them. #3. When you have these things in place, it leaves you free to focus on whatever comes next in the treatment phase-hopefully recovery! But please try to eliminate as much other stresss from your life as possible. You know what your first time through was like- this one isn't likely to be any easier. Wishing yu all much strenght and luck. Amy in the Oz

My goodness, it sounds like you guys have gotten more than your share of challenges handed to you. I have no advice that you don't already know.....take it one step at a time, and eventually you will be surprised at having come through the dark time. Know that many of us offer prayers daily for every person on this board. I hope that these prayers added to those of your friends on the "outside" give you strength and courage.

Your original post indicated two areas of concern, one on the rib and one in the back of neck. Not certain which one got the positive biopsy. I'm not a doctor but one usually can not receive radiation to the same area twice, which means the treatment option is most likely surgical and/or Erbitux or some one of these other new drugs. Here's hoping it is just a little more neck surgery and that's it. Did they do any follow up on the spot on the rib?

Take care,
Eileen

Hi Eileen.
The needle biopsy to what we thought was a lymph node in his neck was actually a lesion in the muscle mass. The surgeon said that it was "atypical" in appearance. Not sure if it means anything, but the onc nurse told us that the report said the lesion crumbled apart (her description--probably not the surgeons) after it was removed. The area of the neck where it appeared was not in the radiation field. Also, the PET showed no activity where the original cancer was. There has been no follow up with the rib.

We have an appt with SCCA on Monday--the intake coordinator was really on the ball. We are anxiously waiting to hear what they have to say. We cancelled the appt with the local MO so we haven't really even heard the "first opinion." This was despite the urging of the nurse, but we felt like there is no time to mess around. It was almost as if she took it personally that we wanted to head up north. Frankly, I am surprised and mad about the resistance I got from her.

We appreciate all you kind folks who have sent your thoughts and prayers for us and for trimatt too. Anything is possible! We'll keep hoping for the best!

Chris