| | 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 | I wish you would have gotten that answer before you went under. Now it's to late. Maybe your insurance played a role?
Waiting sucks and with today's technology we shouldn't have to without a good reason so I would ask. Make sure it's a good reason. When my ENT did a FNA on my neck node he said, "I'll pull some strings and get it back ASAP". Two weeks to the day I got a phone call to come in to see him AFTER he was finished with the day's appointments. I knew it wasn't going to be good news.
When they put me under to find my Primary, my wife had the results before I even woke up. That's the way it should be.
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: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | While hoping that your biopsy comes out negative, if it is positive, then consider getting a second opinion on treatment from a CCC. Based on your description of level of care so far, it would be time well spent. The caseload statistics are all very well and good but they don't show how many of the diagnosed cases were treated successfully. I stuck with an RO whose administrative staff and facility scheduling were much less than optimal based on his amazing track record of cures for Stage IV.
Even thought there is no Stage V, there is still HOPE for a complete remission even if your diagnosis was as late as mine ("guesstimate" that tumor had been growing for six years before spreading to lymph nodes in seventh year)
Good luck
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | David - The results I had to wait for after surgery were the ones to tell me if they got clear margins etc. I already had the biopsy results etc long before the surgery ... sorry if I was unclear on what I meant. Was just relating to the thing of taking a while to get reports even when they were doing it onsite... guess each place is different and some move faster than others. My first biopsy report took 4 days to get back and they sent it to a Kansas Univ. from WA to test ... so not a bad turnover time ...
Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
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"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
| | | | | 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 | Oh, I see but waiting still sucks.
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: Oct 2008 Posts: 9 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 9 | I was expacting to have some results after I woke up my biopsy was done at the Kansas university medical center my ENT is a Head and neck cancer specialest, before my proceduer I spoke with him and he indecated that he might not freez any sections to keep the tisue intact. I think and from what I read in his dictation from my last vist, he could not see a distinct toumer and I think that is the reason that no freezing was done since the mass is still under the upper lining. I dont mind the wait if good news will follow. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | yes, yes it does ... waiting and the unknown are the worst two things to handle ...
Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
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"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
| | | | | 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 |
My experience with biopsies are that it takes about a week to get test results back. Its not easy waiting, try to keep busy so you dont waste time worrying. It wont change the outcome anyway. Think positive.
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: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | I agree with Christine...from what has already commented on this site several times Don't let cancer steal any more from you and the more you worry about results the more is stolen. It is difficult very difficult to live in the here and now...
For me it was two weeks+ after my final surgery to find out if I was all clear. "all clear" "clear margins" "no further treatment required" The sweetest words I think I have ever heard!!! A round of hugs and thank yous!!!!
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 9 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 9 | Today I got the Biopsy results back, it is Squamous papilloma so no cancer at this time, the bad news is that while I was waiting for my results, my wife was diognosed with Multiple myeloma and she is in hospital unable to walk with sever back pain. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | Oh, MaherC My heart breaks for you both.. what a hard time. On one hand we rejoice with you that your results are a positive piece of news, while your wife gets handed a real blow.
I had to go look that up, as i had not heard of it before. One thing I note is that while it is not curable (YET) it is quite treatable most times, making life worth living for those suffering from it, and extending life time for them as well. so, be of good courage that there is hope for your wife.
I will say a prayer for your wife, and I would encourage you to advocate for your wife - pain is not easy to deal with and if she is not getting relief, keep on the staff at the hospital to find something else to try... she needs relief to cope
Please keep us posted and I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
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"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
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