We are cursed.

I just got a call from the doctor's office. The PET scanner has broken down and they are flying in a part and a technician from Houston (I think) to repair it. They have rescheduled Jim's scan for NEXT Monday.

This is just too long to endure the suspense, stress, anxiety, etc., etc. I have a call in to the doctor, to ask why they can't go ahead and remove the growth that we already know about.

Thanks for listening.......

Barb

Update--We got the results of the PET scan. They say the cancer had spread to both sides of the neck and surgery is not an option, because of the extensive surgery he has already had and the amount of radiation damage. Not to mention that overstressed extensively patched carotid artery.

The good news, however, is that it didn't show cancer in any other part of his body. Of course, they were quick to remind us that that doesn't mean there can't be some microscopic traces that don't show on the scan. Grrrrr.....
Didn't really need to hear that at this point.

The plan now is to do chemotherapy. We see the specialist this Friday afternoon to get that arranged.

Barb

[quote] He had a bump on the back of his neck, right at the hairline. He had asked his dermatologist about it, and the doctor said it was a sebaceous cyst and there was really no need to remove it. About 3-4 months later he went to the ent doctor for a regular checkup. The doctor noticed the lump and said that it didn't look at all likely as possible recurrence, but he would take a needle biopsy just be sure. He did, and the report came back that it was scc.[/quote]I'm sorry, but this really pisses me off. What kind of a so-called "Doctor" thinks he can eliminate a cancer diagnosis (ESPECIALLY WITH A CANCER PATIENT) with only a visual inspection? There should be some consequences for this kind of stuff, which happens all too often. Physicians like this need to have their medical licenses revoked, at a minimum.

As cancer patients, we need to remain vigilant and proactive in managing our own ongoing care.

Barb, my very heartfelt best wishes and prayers go out to you and Jim as you prepare for this.

Riley

Hi Barb,
Are you being treated at a CCC Center? If not, I would go for second opinion on the No surgery. They did do surgery on my irradiated skin with no problems, but then I did not have the caratoid artery problem.

Have they told you what chemo he will get and what they expect the outcome of the treatment to be?

I am really sorry this turned out this way. I was hoping a simple surgery was going to be the end of it. Riley is right. That dermatologist had no right to say that.

Take care,
Eileen

Hi, Barb and Jim, You all have been through enough stuff already, so no one needs to tell you what is ahead in terms of fighting this. Just know that any of us who can, will listen, try to help, send prayers and hugs, whatever you need. Amy in the Oz

Is the hairline lump cancerous?

I wish I had advice....I don't, except to keep your faith and allow your friends....those close by and those of us on the forum...to walk beside you during this next challenge.

Thanks for your support. We see the oncologist tomorrow to get his advice on treatment. Surgery on the irradiated area really isn't an option. The neck dissection, after the incision reopened, took ages to heal, and that was only after they grafted flaps from the healthy pectoral muscles, and a skin graft from his leg over that. I'm just sick, thinking I should have pushed for treatment sooner. The woulda-coulda-shoulda's are just tearing me apart. All we can do now is focus on dealing with the situation that we have.

Barb

Dear Barb, any of us who have lived past the ripe old age of 30 have "woulda-coulda-shouda"s". I hope you can file yours under " Oh, well, I could have done that different" or Better yet - you can Forget them. Every day going forward that you and Bill spend together is a gift. Every good morning and good night kiss is a gift. How you handle the challanges in between will be the greatest test of your strenght. Wishing you best luck. Amy in the Oz.

One day at a time is all any of us can handle...and that means that we can NOT handle today AND yesterday, and certainly not tomorrow. Live in the moment. Maybe IF you had done something differently, it would have been worse in some way. Don't beat yourself up. You don't know. All you can do is to live the moment that you are in.

(I sound like I have it all figured out....don't be fooled for a minute...but I DO try to think in more positive ways.)

Posts like these hammer home to me the fragile peace that patients must feel after treatment is finished.Here in the UK 5 years post treatment is considered a cure!!!I feel for you both so much words cannot describe it,and i hope you both find the strength to enter the lions den once again.
God Bless you
liz in the uk