| 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 | Eileen,
She is being treated at St. Mary's in Langhorne. One of her son's had said that he was going to try to get her in SK in New York and that has not happened. It is very difficult to get any specifics from any of the family. I think they are all in shock and on overload. However, the one good thing is that her daughter is a nurse and I am hoping that she has a handle on things.
They are a very close knit, but somewhat private family and this puts me in an awkward position.
Still no word on the biopsy.
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 | Rita, I don't know what the actual numbers are, but keep in mind that as our peer group ages, it may seem that there are more bad things happening, but it just may be the population from which we take our personal "sample" is more prone to bad things happening.
Add to that the fact that our personal problem with OC makes us far more aware of cancers in our surroundings.
Finally, there is early detection, which may skew the numbers higher than in the past.
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 | Jerry,
I have had instances where I really knew I could help but the patient didn't want to hear what I had to say and I would just keep offering and sometimes out of the blue a brother or sister or spouse would call me and after a long discussion they would hang up with a much better understanding of everything from the patient to the caregiver to the Tx, etc. All we as patient advocates can do is try and be helpful. I know it can be frustrating but don't beat yourself up.
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: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Dot was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. This type is always caused by smoking and is less common than non-small cell. From what I could learn on the internet, this is more successfully treated than non-small cell.
She started 2 weeks (10 days) of radiation to her brain yesterday and by the time that is finished they will have decided on the chemo schedule for her lungs.
Everyone's continued prayers and support is greatly appreciated.
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: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | 4 radiation treatments down and 6 to go.
The chemo schedule for her lungs is being planned and she is having a port put in next week so she can start chemo right after the radiation is completed.
I think she is doing better mentally as she got on the phone with me. She says not to replace her as she is coming back. It seems that her docs have told her that they can get her into remission. I hope that this is not just lip service as I know how really serious her situation is. I guess I just know too much and too many people that have had the same diagnosis and not made it very long.
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: 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 | Jerry:
Glad to hear Dot's doing so well. Im still keeping her in my prayers. 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) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thanks Cristine and I hope you are doing well these days.
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 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | Jerry, I am sending Dot my best wishes and prayers that she returns to work and thrives for many years. 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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