| | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 | Hi Caperman,
As scary as your wife's diagnosis is, I'm glad it was so straightforward. I also had what looked like an irritation on my lower gum and had a lot of detours before I got to a definitive diagnosis.
After all was said & done, I was lucky - surgery was all I needed. My ent removed 5 teeth and a chunk of my jaw. It took place June 17, 2008. So far so good. (I see my ent this month.)
You've come to the right place for answers and support.
When you find out what your wife's doctor is planning, you'll be able ask the right questions. In the meantime, hang in there.
Good luck!
Marlene
Marginal mandibulectomy 6/17/08 resulted in DX of Stage I SCC - gingiva (3 mm) right mandible, buccal side. Clear margins. Occasional social drinker. Smoked last cigarette in 1979. Clear pet: 12/08; 7/20/09. Yay!
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 14 | Hi Bob,
Thanks for the post. Posts like yours help us get though the emotional impact of the diagnosis. We'll find out more this week, and Dana Farber is on our radar. I'll take plenty of notes, as per your suggestion. After examining the OCF site, I see how good information is critical to the curing process.
Wife is 57 years old. Diagnosed May 30,2009 after oral surgeon did a biopsy. Wife had surgery on June 23,2009. Surgeon took piece from arm after removing squamus mass from lower gum
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 14 | Hi Marlene,
Thanks for the post.Your situation sounds similar to my wife's. Once we get into the true diagnosis, I'll let you know about her situation and treatment. Stories like yours, although involving surgery, provide a positive angle to our situation.
Wife is 57 years old. Diagnosed May 30,2009 after oral surgeon did a biopsy. Wife had surgery on June 23,2009. Surgeon took piece from arm after removing squamus mass from lower gum
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 14 | Hi all,
Wife will have surgery for squamus cell tumor in lower gum. Doc says we found it in time. They say 7-10 days in the hospital with some bone removal. Surgical site will be filled with bone from leg.
She will have radiation after bone heals. God willing she'll be OK
Thanks again to the posters who helped me, her husband, get through the first three days after diagnosis. It was a very trying time for both of us
Wife is 57 years old. Diagnosed May 30,2009 after oral surgeon did a biopsy. Wife had surgery on June 23,2009. Surgeon took piece from arm after removing squamus mass from lower gum
| | | | | 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 | Sounds like your wifes treatment is all planned out. That should be a relief for both of you. Its not easy to believe but it really will be ok. The unknown is always something most people fear.
If your wife is able to, at this point have her eat all her favorite meals now. It will be a while after her treatments before she will be able to eat properly.
Have the doctors discussed chemo? How about a feeding tube? Is she being treated at a cancer center?
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: 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 | Most likely she will also have chemo along with the radiation. She will need you as her Caregiver as none of us that underwent any of this Tx could have done it without our Caregiver. It is an important job and I can see that you will be a great one.
Each of us can respond differently to the same surgery and Tx but it is usually a tough period, although relatively short in duration in the grand scheme of things. The radiation will cause her to loose her taste and (therefore) loose weight so we always tell others that they should eat all their favorite foods without regard to health concerns now before Tx begins. She will recover from all of this but it may take a year or 2 so take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to eat without guilt.
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: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | Hope all goes well in the comming months ahead. She will be more depent on you during her treatment and recovery. If times get tough and you need to vent use this forum and you can also PM me as I am just up the road in Vermont. Best of luck.. Semper-Fi Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Yes it might take the 2 years. I have 2 yrs in less than 2 months and i am in no way ready for real food .. Damn corn season is coming up again quick too, GRRRRRRRRRRRRR That is one thing besides a big rare steak that I miss. But I am alive and mouthy so tht's what really counts.
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: May 2009 Posts: 1,413 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,413 Likes: 1 | I am glad that Drs think they found this stuff in time. I know it is scary. I am just now beginning my journey as well. Have not been told if I will need rads or chemo at this point. My ENT has decided to do a PET scan first. Like your wife, I was told mine was juat a sore and given antibiotics first. Since it was not getting better my ENT decided to just remove whatever it was. I will praying for you and your wife. I know how scary this all must be for you all.
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Hi Caperman,
I'm happy to hear they think they found it in time, that is wonderful. I suggest telling your wife about this site. As a patient, it helped me more than I can express in words. When treatment begins sometimes you really need to talk to people who have gone through it. My husband is my best friend and I could not have done it without him but I needed the people here to.
I hope you continue to post and let us know how she is doing.
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:)
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