#76922 07-14-2008 12:05 PM | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 17 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 17 | Hello to the group,
After months of weight loss and trouble swallowing and talking, my mother was diagnosed with stage III throat cancer, with a 4cmx4cm tumor at the base of her tongue.
Due to size and proximity, the tumor is inoperable at this point and she will begin chemo and radiation therapy soon.
My family and I are stunned and bewildered, in addition to concerned for my mother's current state.
So I seek support from this group to both care for my mother now (while she can not hardly eat or speak) and in the future with the therapy.
Also, where can I find rankings of best treatments for head and neck (or tongue) cancer? I haven't found any more than general cancer treatment center rankings, but I want to make sure we are going for opinions at the best places possible. (Initial consultations have been at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA where she lives; the other is at Johns Hopkins this weekend.)
Thank you so much for this forum and for the posts that I have read so far. I am keeping everyone in my thoughts as we battle through this together.
Last edited by Daughter in VA; 07-14-2008 12:08 PM.
Daughter (30 yrs.) to awesome Mom (67 yrs.)
Diagnosed 7/2008 with T3or4N3cM0, squamous cell carcinoma.
Completed induction chemo (TPF) 8/08 and radiation/chemo 11/08. Successfully removed tumor via neck dissection 9/09 and went home from hospital in good spirits.
Joined the Lord Oct. 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Hi there
i am sure you already realise that this is the best place to get the help and support you will no doubt need over the next few months.I expect you have already read the introduction board,and we will all be ready and willing to answer any questions and listen to any problems that come up.
liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | 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 | Johns Hopkins is great and so is VCU, both of which are nearby. MD Anderson in Houston is well regarded as well. You are very wise to seek additional opinions as I saw 5 different cancer docs before I decided which to let treat me.
Keep us posted after Hopkins sees her and let us know what they say.
You have also found the most valuable site in the world to help her and you as well.
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 $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 42 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 42 | Hello, My family is in Virginia as well. We are in Virginia beach tho. We ended up going to Johns Hopkins. Her ENT is Dr Wayne Koch. He is amazing. I hope you are going to see him. My mother had a tumor on her tongue removed in October and is now doing chemotherapy at Virginia Oncology. I have also heard great things about the medical college of virginia in richmond. My private email is [email protected] Let me know if you need any help gettng used to things around here. Amy
Lost my mother, Minnie, to Oral Cancer October 29th, 2008. I am so thankful she had the OCF to help her through her five year struggle.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | FYI, the Medical College of Virginia is VCU.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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