New Here - 10-17-2019 06:42 PM
Hello Everyone,
I joined the site when I was diagnosed with SSC in August, following 8 months of being told by various health professionals that I did not have cancer, but a chronic infection. Since I live on a small island overseas, it was necessary for me to hurriedly bring my wife and kids with me to the mainland US, leaving behind our lives for now. That itself has been extremely taxing, particularly for my wife who has been an absolute rock. We have been able to stay with some family in-between hotels and rentals, but the cost of getting sick is enormous.
The 'abscess' in my cheek was in fact a tumor, subsequently diagnosed as T4 N0 M0. A PET confirmed no metastasis, and I had the tumor excised on October 1. The surgery (11 hours) included a partial maxillectomy with a free-flap inserted to fill the void.
I am currently recovering, with post-op visits to plastics, surgeon, and a new speech pathology visit over the next several days.
The surgeon indicated that radiation and low dose chemo were next for me, administered over a 6 week period, once I am recovered from the surgery.
Aside from the surgical area and flap donor site soreness I feel pretty good, although am on a feeding tube (nose) which will hopefully be taken out in the next week.
At this point I feel sort of odd, recovering from the surgery in preparation to be knocked to my knees again by the radiation and chemo.
I was an otherwise healthy individual, so was not compromised as such any in other way.
I am hopeful, in a guarded sense,
More questions will be on the way, especially after my upcoming appointments.
Wishing you all the best!
I joined the site when I was diagnosed with SSC in August, following 8 months of being told by various health professionals that I did not have cancer, but a chronic infection. Since I live on a small island overseas, it was necessary for me to hurriedly bring my wife and kids with me to the mainland US, leaving behind our lives for now. That itself has been extremely taxing, particularly for my wife who has been an absolute rock. We have been able to stay with some family in-between hotels and rentals, but the cost of getting sick is enormous.
The 'abscess' in my cheek was in fact a tumor, subsequently diagnosed as T4 N0 M0. A PET confirmed no metastasis, and I had the tumor excised on October 1. The surgery (11 hours) included a partial maxillectomy with a free-flap inserted to fill the void.
I am currently recovering, with post-op visits to plastics, surgeon, and a new speech pathology visit over the next several days.
The surgeon indicated that radiation and low dose chemo were next for me, administered over a 6 week period, once I am recovered from the surgery.
Aside from the surgical area and flap donor site soreness I feel pretty good, although am on a feeding tube (nose) which will hopefully be taken out in the next week.
At this point I feel sort of odd, recovering from the surgery in preparation to be knocked to my knees again by the radiation and chemo.
I was an otherwise healthy individual, so was not compromised as such any in other way.
I am hopeful, in a guarded sense,
More questions will be on the way, especially after my upcoming appointments.
Wishing you all the best!