| | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Steve,
I think it's fine that you backed away in the past. It was a way for you to move on with your life, and that is important.
I'm sorry you are back here but happy that you get comfort here. That's one of the main reasons why we all come here, right? To support each other. So, how are you feeling? What are your doctors saying?
Suzanne
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 114 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 114 | Suzanne,
When I went in to talk to my M.O. about the results of my PET in October, he was pretty blunt. He kept saying, "this is not good. This is not good at all." Then he went on to say, "you know once it gets in the lungs there's not much we can do. We can treat you but we can't cure you". Then he went on to tell me that I should consider quitting my job and doing all the things in life I've always wanted to do. He's kind of a blunt sort of guy.
I ended up switching to a different M.O. at the same CCC. This M.O. doesn't paint any rosier of a picture about my condition, but he is much more willing to help me fight. The other guy didn't even want to give me some decent chemo because he said I should just enjoy the quality of my remaining life. This guy understands that I'm only 41, I've got a wife and four kids, and I want to FIGHT as long as I've got fight in me. So he's taking an aggressive approach to help me in the fight. I feel a lot better about it.
I understand wha the M.O. was saying, that statistically where I'm at is not good. But I'm not going to live by the stats. I'm still convinced I can win this battle and I'm going to do everything in my power to do just that.
Age 41 - Stage 2 SCC tongue Dx 2/06. Cisplatin x3, IMRT x35. Mets to neck node discovered 7/07. RND 40 nodes removed, margins not clear. Cisplatin, Taxotere, 5-FU Fall 07, then IMXT/Erbitux for 7 wks. Inoperable mets to both lungs and pleura Dx Oct'08. 4 cycles Carboplatin, Erbitux, 5-FU so far.
| | | | | 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 |
Steve:
You have a very positive attitude. It will help you with your fight. Glad you got a second opinion, sometimes people here get even a third opinion or more. Doesnt hurt to hear what other specialists say.
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: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | Personally, I do NOT think an apology is in order at all. We all do/give what we can when we can, and we are here for YOU now as you face another difficult period in your life.
Good for you not to live by someone else's stats. Check the bottom of your foot - doubt you will find an "expiry date" there, and remember doctors give educated guesses based on historical averages - they are not infallible predictors of the future!
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: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Steve,
I have to get away from this from time to time myself. It's hard to live in the cancer world all of the time. I honestly don't know how Brian does it!
There's no need for an apology. There's no debt to be repaid. You have gifted US by allowing us to help and serve you. You have shown tremendous courage with both your transparency and honesty. Just stay alive and fight this beast. We are here for you.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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