Hur ting And Scared

mixleader
mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My doctors continue to struggle to help me with the bad ear/jaw/throat pain that I have been having. Last week, I had a biopsy of my cheek and they took a bunch of blood for various tests but I haven't heard about those yet. The one I am really scared of is the upcoming PET/CT. My ENT moved up the date on this about three months and I am going to have one done this coming Saturday. My big fear is that the beast is back and causing havoc in this area, but I am trying to stay calm and just think about all of this pain as TMJ disorder and nerve damage. Nome of my Docs seem to be able to pinpoint it, so I am just getting more and different pain killers and now I am starting Gabapentin as well. I am off work for a while since I can barely function on most things. The time between now and when I hear the results of the PET/CT scan is going to seem very long indeed. I am hopeful that my mental outlook will improve with a negative PET scan since I have been really down and discouraged as well. Okay, now for the long wait. All best wishes and prayers welcome. This has me very, very nervous. Well, truthfully, I am beyond nervous and well into scared.

Roger

Comments

  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #2
    It could be
    any of those things you mentioned and I really hope you get good news and that they find a way to help your pain. It's tough enough to have to endure pain; enduring it on top of worrying about a return of the beast is awful.

    You certainly have our thoughts and best wishes - both for a good outcome and for some relief from the fear throughout the wait. Keep us posted.
  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570
    #3
    Pain
    I am sending out my best wishes and hope that there is an alternative explanation for the pain rather than the beast. It's good that your doc is jumping on it with a PET/CT scan. The nerves and no doubt anxiety are understandable, but don't let it make you crazy.

    Patrick
  • Audoggie
    Audoggie Member Posts: 7
    #4
    I feel your pain
    The pain in my ear shooting up from my throat is how they found a tumor. I do hope there is another explanation for you. I was just diagnosed this month and am going tomorrow for the pet scan so fear and anxiety are all I'm feeling right now. I've gone through this stuff with my mom but this is a first for me.
    I will be praying for you.

    Audra
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #5
    PAIN
    Hi Roger, the pain can be coming from a number of things besides cancer. My jaw hurts 24-7 and so does my neck and shoulder. All part of the "new normal."

    The scan and an exam will put you at ease.

    Hang in there.

    Best!!

    Mike
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    #6
    Hi
    I am sending tons of prayers your way. I hope everything comes back perfect.

    Kathy
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
    Roger
    It is hard when you are in pain, and have side effects, and every new, lump, bump, and pain is nerve wracking. I don't get PET scans, so I always have it in the back of my head that I've never really gotten that 'all clear' and NED that most people here get.

    Hoping that they can get a handle on your pain, and get it under control. That alone will give you some relief, both physically and mentally. It's so draining to be in constant pain every day. Meanwhile, I pray for a clean pet for you, and that your mind will be put at ease.
  • mixleader
    mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
    #8
    Here We Go Again
    Well, my ENT just added a new wrinkle to the facial pain problem. It seems as though the biopsy he did on my right cheek last week turned out to be positive for cancer again. So, it's back to the hospital for another surgery on Friday. This little thing is near the surface, so he expects the surgery to be simple and hopefully it will not do much more damage to my already-ravaged face. Then, they will do a full body scan shortly after that to see if any of this has spread. That makes four times in about two years that I have received a phone call saying "You have Cancer". So, I think I will have my phone disconnected.

    Roger
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #9
    luv4lacrosse said:

    PAIN
    Hi Roger, the pain can be coming from a number of things besides cancer. My jaw hurts 24-7 and so does my neck and shoulder. All part of the "new normal."

    The scan and an exam will put you at ease.

    Hang in there.

    Best!!

    Mike

    Neck and shoulder
    I have the same and after almost three years of tests I found the cause (if I'd read Sweetbloods superthread I would have saved a lot of time and dollars). Hope yours is temporary.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #10
    mixleader said:

    Here We Go Again
    Well, my ENT just added a new wrinkle to the facial pain problem. It seems as though the biopsy he did on my right cheek last week turned out to be positive for cancer again. So, it's back to the hospital for another surgery on Friday. This little thing is near the surface, so he expects the surgery to be simple and hopefully it will not do much more damage to my already-ravaged face. Then, they will do a full body scan shortly after that to see if any of this has spread. That makes four times in about two years that I have received a phone call saying "You have Cancer". So, I think I will have my phone disconnected.

    Roger

    :(
    I am sorry, Roger.

    Hugs-

    Sweet
  • arndog64
    arndog64 Member Posts: 537
    #11
    sweetblood22 said:

    :(
    I am sorry, Roger.

    Hugs-

    Sweet

    I am so sorry to hear the
    I am so sorry to hear the news that the cancer is back. Let us know how everything goes.
    Take care.
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #12
    mixleader said:

    Here We Go Again
    Well, my ENT just added a new wrinkle to the facial pain problem. It seems as though the biopsy he did on my right cheek last week turned out to be positive for cancer again. So, it's back to the hospital for another surgery on Friday. This little thing is near the surface, so he expects the surgery to be simple and hopefully it will not do much more damage to my already-ravaged face. Then, they will do a full body scan shortly after that to see if any of this has spread. That makes four times in about two years that I have received a phone call saying "You have Cancer". So, I think I will have my phone disconnected.

    Roger

    Well, that's a plan
    "I can't hear you . . .la, la, la!" I'm so sorry you got this news but I'm hopeful that you only have to deal with that "little spot" and that it hasn't spread. You deserve a break.
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #13
    DrMary said:

    Well, that's a plan
    "I can't hear you . . .la, la, la!" I'm so sorry you got this news but I'm hopeful that you only have to deal with that "little spot" and that it hasn't spread. You deserve a break.

    hugs and prayers
    So sorry your are dealing with this again. Sending a big hug your way and praying it is minor.

    God's peace.

    Debbie
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #14
    jim and i said:

    hugs and prayers
    So sorry your are dealing with this again. Sending a big hug your way and praying it is minor.

    God's peace.

    Debbie

    Roger
    Hope this surgery goes smoothly for you and its the last of the complications you'll see. Cheers.

    Jimbo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #15
    mixleader said:

    Here We Go Again
    Well, my ENT just added a new wrinkle to the facial pain problem. It seems as though the biopsy he did on my right cheek last week turned out to be positive for cancer again. So, it's back to the hospital for another surgery on Friday. This little thing is near the surface, so he expects the surgery to be simple and hopefully it will not do much more damage to my already-ravaged face. Then, they will do a full body scan shortly after that to see if any of this has spread. That makes four times in about two years that I have received a phone call saying "You have Cancer". So, I think I will have my phone disconnected.

    Roger

    Don't Answer It...
    Well I say that, but unfortuately to do battle, you need to know your opponent...

    On a positive note, glad that it's only sub-surface and hopefully can be taken care of with something rather invasive.

    Hoping for clean scans brother.....like I'm hoping for mine....good scans, but not glowing scans.

    Best,
    John
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #16
    when
    roger, when your in pain we all feel you pain and understand.

    Lots of prayers going out for you and your doctors.

    John

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