#84888 11-26-2008 08:55 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | My dental assistant of 25 years had been not feeling well for the last 3 weeks and was unfortunately diagnosed yesterday with lung cancer and metastatic lesions to her brain. On Friday, she will be having a lung biopsy and the results of this will be critical in assessing her prognosis. She has been told that the brain lesions can be handled and a great deal hinges on the lungs.
Needless to say everyone in our office is devastated and today was a very difficult day for us all and especially me.
As we head into the Thanksgiving Holiday, I am counting on my family here at the OCF to join my family at my office in sending positive thoughts her way.
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: Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 179 | Jerry, I am terribly sorry to hear this news. I will certainly keep her in my prayers. I have a friend going through lung Cancer right now as well. It started in her Adrenal gland, spread to the liver, and now her lungs. This site has been my "family" throughout my Dad's OC and now my friend Kirsten's. I know they will all band together in support for you as well. 
Dad: Age 65 Heavy smoker/drinker. Biopsy-No surgery. Cancer base of tongue/throat. "Invasive Squamous Carcinoma RRT" --Beginning 1/9/08: IMRT treatments (5X/wk),chemo pills (4/day) and Chemo IV (once/wk) PEG tube inserted 1/25/08. Treatments ended 2/26/08
JUNE 30, 2008 Officially CANCER FREE!!!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | i too am sorry to hear this news. the saying cancer sucks is such an understatement, ya know? i am praying for her and for you who are affected greatly by this news.
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 | I will pray for her and hope for the best.
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 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | Jerry,
I am praying that you hear good news.
Malka
SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013.
Support OCF
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Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | My prayers are with you.
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: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | May she experience a miracle (I do believe that they happen sometimes!) and if she isn't one of the lucky few, may she be treated with the best treatments available by compassionate professionals, and may she find the strength for whatever lies ahead for her.
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers.
I spoke to Dot this morning and she sounds good. She'll spend her Thanksgiving in the hospital with her family and is anxiously waiting for the lung biopsy tomorrow. They told her the results will be in on Monday.
I'm off to see my kids and grandkids and I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
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: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Hi Jerry,
Best I can say is that, at the least, you are well equipped to support her and her family emotionally during this time because you have been there, altho you will be switching roles. I have an employee [has been with us since 1993] who will get a biopsy next week on the back of his tongue for a recurrant "sore". He has no insurance and needless to say I am worried sick for him. He keeps asking me questions that I don't want to answer - for his sake - until we know what this is. Hope you have a good Thanksgiving. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 | Jerry,
I know how much my chairside assistant means to me and how devastating this must be to you. It really hits hard when a member of our team/staff/family (one in the same in our profession) are presented with difficulty or hardship. My office staff, my family, are so very important to me that I treat every one of them as if they are my family. As I said in my e-mail to you, I am praying for her and her family and for you and yours.
As others have said here she is lucky to have you as a pillar of support and knowledge.
We are all in her corner and praying for all of you.
If you need me I'm here.
Mike
Dentist since 1995, 12 year Cancer Survivor, Father, Husband, Thankful to so many who supported me on my journey so far, and more than happy to comfort a friend.
Live, Laugh, Love & Learn.
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