#80047 09-05-2008 09:46 PM | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 |
Early this morning I had a MAJOR shock.
After showering I could see something under my chin (which previously looked like a scab) where my neck and surrounding area on my chin had been dissected again due to having to have my jaw bone replaced, but it was shiny and I could not believe it when I got another mirror and got a closer look that it is actually the top of the round metal screw that must be keeping one of the plates in around my jaw.
I nearly passed out. Thank goodness I didn't.
Getting my act together I prepared to get ready to go to the hospital and thought I had better contact my fantastic sister who insisted on coming with me. She arrived in a flash.(Deb lives about 30 minutes from me) We decided to first of all try and call the Maxillofacial surgeon on his mobile number, (it is Saturday here) surprisingly we actually got hold of him and Deb explained to him my situation and he said that he didn't have his screwdriver with him....... As I have an appointment already scheduled with him for this coming Thursday he said when I come in he will take out that screw.. What a HUGE RELIEF.
He also said that when he saw me just over a week ago that he suspected that that might happen........ All of a sudden the swelling around that area has gone down really dramatically and the skin is so thin in that particular area so we guess that that is why I can actually see the metal.
Thank goodness I didnt have to go to the hospital - I really thought that I had a major emergency on my hands.... hopefully everything will ok - it is really spooky and confronting to see a dam screw coming out your chin........
I'm just wondering whether anyone else had this happen..
Karen
46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
| | | | | 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 | He said he didn't have his screwdriver with him?? Is this a special SD or could he have borrowed yours or stopped by a hardware store and picked one up?? I must have missed something but that comment struck me as very odd to say the least.
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: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | It may be something odd like a Torx or star or who knows? There are screws and then there are screws...
I seem to recall a joke about a patient with a screw sticking out -- Doc unscrews it with silver screwdriver and patient's read end falls off...
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 |
Believe it or not, YES that is what he said about the screwdriver!!!! You didn't miss anything David - that was his comment.
I'm still trying to get my head around being able to see this thing. I have felt sick in the stomach since yesterday morning, as if I haven't got enough to worry about..
My appointment with him on Thursday can not come soon enough.. Perhaps I should take a tool box with me ...just in case.
Karen
46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Karen,
I'm feeling faint just reading this thread!
**shudder**
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Karen,
It would have been more appropriate for him to have said that something like this should be done under sterile conditions in his office. I think he might have actually been trying to make a joke out of it. Not a good idea with someone that is in a state of panic.
I'm sure you will be fine until Thursday, but if you notice any changes in the looks of the skin around the screw, you should given him a call and ask to be seen sooner.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 |
Thanks Jerry,
I think you are probably right about him trying to make a joke.
I will certainly take your advice should there be any changes to the skin and I will contact him asap. Considering I can't help but look at it every 10 seconds I will notice quickly should anything change.
I have his numbers and the hospital/ambulance emergency numbers on 'automatic dial' ---- just in case.
Thanks again
Karen
46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
| | | | | 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 | Karen,
Come on over. I've got just about every screwdriver tip known to man kind and I've got some stale beer in the frig if we need to sterilize it. I'll even light a match and heat up the tip if that will make you feel better. Now don't faint on me.
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: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | Karen, if you look at it too often, you may not notice a change. Take a digital photo, then an hour later take another one, then compare -- Much better than your memory!
Karen, are you married? Is it possible that Hubby has bribed Doc to make your jaw adjustable...
David, I have in front of me a specialty bit set with **fifteen** different types of heads, many of which I had never seen before, like "eye bow", sort of a Phillips with only three arms, a Phillips with three bent arms, another with four bent arms, torx with a hollow center, etc., all in a number of different sizes. The usual slot bits come in SAE and metric sizes.
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | 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 | Pete,
Since you've been around a lot lot longer than me, you've had a chance to accumulate more odd tips than me. JM2C's
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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