#91613 03-11-2009 03:04 PM | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 21 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 21 | Hi there, Today we had a big meeting with all of the doctors (radiation oncologist, surgeon, oncologist, nurse practitioner, infusion nurse, etc.) to determine whether the cancer had responded well enough to the treatment to be operable. They took two scans today of his neck, and based on those scans and feeling his neck, they are going to be able to do the surgery! Tentatively, it is scheduled for April 7th. It will be another radical neck dissection, which means they will take out all of the nodes in the left side of his neck, and because his large tumor had been wrapped around his jugular vein, they will also be taking that out. This surgery carries some risk; the jugular vein on the right side of his neck was removed last year, and removal of both can lead to blindness or brain swelling, although they think the risk for him is low given his surgery was over a year ago and his body has compensated by now. They will put him in the ICU immediately after surgery though just to be safe, so that they can watch his brain. They are going to finish up the chemo and radiation on Friday, but are going to give him the Erbitux all the way until surgery. What happens after surgery depends on whether they find any live cancer cells in there - possibly more radiation and/or chemo. The doctors are thrilled with how this has responded to treatment. There was some fear in the beginning it would not be operable even after treatment, so this really is wonderful news. There is at least one other cancerous node (up under his chin) that they can see on the scans, but they will be taking that out in the surgery. The doctors are particularly thrilled with Joe's reaction to Erbitux -- his rash is TERRIBLE and the poor guy looks like hell but that is supposedly a really good sign (also - the tumor immediately started shrinking when he had Erbitux, even before chemo and radiation started) and he is handling it like a trouper. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and support! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 126 | Angie,
This is GREAT news! Now you can take a deep breath and have some hope for the future. This is so important for a caregiver. Congratulations... Geri
Geri-CG to husband Richard, 62 yrs old. Former smoker, quit 30yrs ago, light drinker. Dx after tests with BOT T1N1M0. Tx to start by end of Dec. Seven wks IMRT with 2x Cisplatin-2x Erbitux. Peg in 12/08- removed 4/21/09. Looking good so far. Clear Pet &MRI 8/2/09
| | | | | 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 | That's just great so I'm hoping 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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | It's nice to see happy posts in our home. It just makes a person smile and be happy.
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: 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 | Always refreshing to see some good news posted. Best of luck in your husbands continued treatment and recovery. Thanks for posting.
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: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 | Hi Angie- I think this surgery is coming up soon. You and your husband are in our thoughts. Hoping for a very very positive outcome! KATE
Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 /
Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor
Finished all treatments May 25 2007
Surviving!!!
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