#80793 09-20-2008 08:59 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I had a cat scan in July which showed some swelling in my neck. They did a scope, confirmed there was swelling but not angry looking and attributed the swelling to radiation, with follow up cat scan Oct 2nd. I get my ct results Oct 15th
My family wants to plan a trip to NewFoundland starting October 23. I am hesitatant to book because I would hate to cancel should additional treatment be required. My treatment options at this point would be limited to surgery and/or chemo seeing as I have had radiation twice.
What to do? Do I book the trip and potentially have to cancel it or do I wait to see. We have gotten bitten before on travel insurance so either I book it and go or I wait. Problem is the rest of my family don't want to wait. They want to book it NOW, saying that even if there is additional treatment needed it won't start in a week or two. I disagree, but have no idea what to do.
Another option is to let them go and stay here.
Any thoughts?
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Can you ask your doctor what treatment would be involved should the results be positive? They might not want to start until they have a plan together anyway. That might buy you some time to go and enjoy your life!
Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | 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 |
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Donna:
If it were me, I would go. If the results are good then its a reason to celcbrate. My thinking (which sometimes could be considered a little odd) if its bad news then you still would want to go and make the most of your time before any tz starts.
On June 15, 2007 I was told I had cancer. I was needless to say in shock. I went to work after my appointment but left to go home. On my 40 minute drive home I decided to start doing everything I wanted for as long as I possibly could. That evening I took my children out to our favorite restaurant. My determination was that cancer would not get me down and I would be 'fixed'.
Go and enjoy yourself.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Donna, In regards to the travel insurance, I have found that MOST policies will exclude pre-existing conditions if you buy the insurance within a week or two after booking the trip (they all have a specific time frane). You must watch the date carefully. I have found the following website to be very good in not only comparing different plans, but also for purchasing the insurance. I never plan a trip without buying insurance. http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/You should definitely plan on taking the trip. 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"
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | Go for it -- Newfoundland is a great place because of the Newfs! I've been a lot of places, but I like the Newfs the best. Two books that reveal a lot about the Newf character are "Shipping News" (also a movie, filmed mostly in Nova Scotia) and "The Boat Who Wouldn't Float".
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I have to agree with the go for it crew. Enjoy the trip and let the Dr talk to you when you get back.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 30 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 30 | GO GIRL and have a BLAST. | | |
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