#93349 04-07-2009 05:14 PM | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 | Hello, I'm a newbie here and looking to see if anyone else is as young as I am? I was 23 almost 4 when I was diagnosed at stage 4 with squamous cell carcinoma (my spelling sucks) in my tounge and 4 of 16 lymphnodes. I've done multiple surgeries, radiation and also chemo. I had a reoccurance about 3 years ago in my lungs, but it was a quick surgery and no other treatments. When I was going through everything I was surrounded by older persons that smoked or drank their entire lives that caused the cancer, and I didn't. I love to help people and am always willing to tell them what I went through to help answer their questions, or just to be there to listen to them but sometimes I just want to be able to relate to someone else. It was hard for me (I'm sure not matter what age you are it will never be easy) and I just want to let someone else that is like me to know that they aren't alone.
Age 28. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stage 4 in tongue June 2004. 2 tongue surgeries. 1 lymphnodes surgery. 32 treatments of radiation. 6- 8hr treatments of chemo. Feb 14th, 2006 lung resection (removed more cancer). Today I'm cancer free & always being put through hell to be told I'm ok.
| | | | | 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 | Lauren
Welcome to OCF. Im sure you will find a few people around your age who have gone thru this. I can think of 3 members who are under 30. Sounds like you have come thru this very well. Thats a big advantage you have with your age, makes it so much easier on the body to get thru tx. Best of luck to you on your continued good health.
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: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hello Lauren, Welcome and thank you for relating your success. There are many here that will appreciate hearing your story. Yes there are others here that are young of age. Some others here are just young at heart.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | There are several of you here. I'll keep pushing your post to the top until one of them replies to you. You are definitely not alone in this, regardless of age.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 | Thank you Mark! I didn't want to be rude when I said older people. The doctors and nurses were all surprised at my age and my diagnosis. Heck they were more surprised than I. I know your age isn't your true reflection on how you act but is is harder to relate to those that have grandchildren when you are still worried about who is going to be out on Sat night.
Age 28. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stage 4 in tongue June 2004. 2 tongue surgeries. 1 lymphnodes surgery. 32 treatments of radiation. 6- 8hr treatments of chemo. Feb 14th, 2006 lung resection (removed more cancer). Today I'm cancer free & always being put through hell to be told I'm ok.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 | Thank you very much Brian. It would be nice to find another person so I don't feel that I'm 100% alone.
Age 28. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stage 4 in tongue June 2004. 2 tongue surgeries. 1 lymphnodes surgery. 32 treatments of radiation. 6- 8hr treatments of chemo. Feb 14th, 2006 lung resection (removed more cancer). Today I'm cancer free & always being put through hell to be told I'm ok.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 7 | You are oh so very true! My body was able to take the abuse I put it through and because of my age I was able to come back quicker (even though i'm as stubborn as an old mule). The bad thing is that I have many more years for either a reoccurance or another kind to pop up. My fathers sisters both have passed away with multiple cancers and my fathers monther had early stages of brain cancer many years ago. Good thing my moms side is healthy or I would be screwed.
Age 28. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stage 4 in tongue June 2004. 2 tongue surgeries. 1 lymphnodes surgery. 32 treatments of radiation. 6- 8hr treatments of chemo. Feb 14th, 2006 lung resection (removed more cancer). Today I'm cancer free & always being put through hell to be told I'm ok.
| | | | | 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 | Lauren,
Were you a tobacco user?
Where on your tongue was the cancer found?
We had at least one younger than you, I believe he was 23 and he was a tobacco user, not smoker.
Glad to hear they got the cancer out of the lungs.
Re your young age...heck the people at Moffitt told ME 3 years ago that I was young for this cancer and I was 58. Unfortunately times have changed and we see many really young people posting.
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 $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 1 Member | | Member
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 1 | Hello, Im not under 30, but am 44, but feel or felt under 30. My tumour was stage 4 with no lymph gland involvement. I didnt smoke, had a couple of glasses of wine some evenings and was fit and healthy. I did not fit the criteria at all, I also worked as a registerd nurse in gynae, I dint realise that oral cancer is as common as cervical cancer.hope you ok Ruth | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Lauren and Choco, Did either of you get tested for HPV?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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