#91172     03-05-2009 08:28 AM      |       Joined:  Mar 2006  Posts: 114    Senior Member (100+ posts)   |      OP      Senior Member (100+ posts)    Joined:  Mar 2006  Posts: 114  |    MD Anderson has reviewed my case and accepted me to come down and see them.  After Dana Farber (Harvard) in Boston rejected me I was surprised.  I don't anticipate there is any standard treatment they can do for me (my CC insists there is not) beyond the chemo I'm doing now, but I'm hoping there is a clinical trial or something that I might be eligible for.  
  So later this month my wife and I are headed for Houston.  Either way I'm excited.  Even if MD Anderson can offer me nothing, I'll at least have the peace of mind that I've done absolutely everything I can to try to beat this thing, and that I've explored every possible avenue.   
      
Last edited by Steve J.; 03-05-2009 08:28 AM.
       
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: 8    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: 8  |     Steve:
  Best of luck to you with your visit to MD Anderson.  Hope they have something there that can help you.  You have a good attitude, never give up.        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  |    Great news that they have agreed to see you.  Of course we all HOPE that they wouldn't waste your time unless they did have something to offer you - but who knows!  
  Been thinking about you and wondering how you were.  Enjoy the trip to Houston - try to find some time to be a tourist.  
  We'll be waiting to hear how you made out.  Prayers and positive vibes being sent your way.
  Donna
 
    
Last edited by Pandora99; 03-05-2009 11:59 AM.
       
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:  Jun 2007  Posts: 5,260    Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)   |           Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)    Joined:  Jun 2007  Posts: 5,260  |      Steve, maybe they have an idea of how to help. It was the lesser known Hospital that had the best treatment plan for me. But of course, I was too hard headed to listen until I really needed them. I owe them my life.        
     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:  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  |    Hope for the best, that's all one can do. I don't thinks they would have invited you there if they didn't see anything they could do.        
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: 251    Gold Member (200+ posts)   |           Gold Member (200+ posts)    Joined:  Oct 2008  Posts: 251  |    Hi Steve,
  How are you?  You haven't posted in a while and I have been thinking of you.  Please let us all know how you are doing.  Miss your posts!
  Peace...        
Catherine
  2mm tumor excised 09/23/2008 (floor of mouth) SCC (superficially invasive, well-differentiated) Stage 1, T1N0M0 01/2009 and 01/2010 - PET/CT clear Four and 1/2 years - NED! "Detection can be easy, treatment is not!"
  |      |       |               |    |       Joined:  Dec 2008  Posts: 1,004    Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)   |           Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)    Joined:  Dec 2008  Posts: 1,004  |    Steve, that is great they will see you. Hope to hear from you soon and hear how things are going.        
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 2008  Posts: 404 Likes: 2    "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)   |           "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)    Joined:  Mar 2008  Posts: 404 Likes: 2  |     Steve,
  That is wonderful news.  I have read so many positive articles about patient outcomes and the medical teams at MD Anderson.
  Best wishes.
  Karen         
46 yrs:  Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0 Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs 30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin, 30 x HBO Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy (hip bone to reconstruct jaw)  Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw Mar'09 Debulk flap Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
  |      |       |               |    |       Joined:  Sep 2008  Posts: 489    Platinum Member (300+ posts)   |           Platinum Member (300+ posts)    Joined:  Sep 2008  Posts: 489  |    Steve
  I am familiar with MD Anderson from having a heart procedure done there in the early 90's.  They are a fine facility.  I am so glad for you that they agreed to see you.  Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers.
  Patty        
48  SCC Floor of Mouth 7/06 9/06 Surgery, bilateral neck dissection, 58 nodes clear PT2pN0pMx 35 rad 2006 Recurred 6/08, 1 Carboplatin, 1 Cisplatin  Surgery 9/08 - Total glossectomy, free flap from pectoral muscle, left mandible replaced using fibula  35 IMRT & Erbitux 11/08 4/15/09 recurrence 6/1/09 passed away, rest in peace 
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