Salivary gland cancer-SOS

Kevinbarker66
Kevinbarker66 Member Posts: 2
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi! My name is Kevin and god really has decided to make cancer a part of my life I guess. Im an 18 year old boy who lives in Florida and need some help and guidance, first I'll give you guys my background.

As I kid I grew up in Texas, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer when I was 2 and she received wonderful treatment at MDA when I wasnt even old enough to ride a bike. We moved to florida in 2006 And wanted to start a new life. one without cancer in paradise. my mom suffered from a kidney stone however when she was here in 2008, when they checked the blood work the cancer had come back. She had 3 tumora on her spine, this so for the past couple of years throufh radiation, chemo, and endless test trials, the dr decided to have them removed in November 2013. the surgery went great, she went to moffit and got fantastic treatment, and I was by her side like any son would be. As the new year rolled by things were looking promising, then my mom took a fall out of her wheelchair during recovery

proof that god works in mysterious ways.

it turns out that the tumors had grown back and she had to have emergency surgery on her spine. Well one led to another and she passed away on January 27, 2014. Now it's my turn,

During football season in Fall 2013 I suffered a concussion and after a couple months of continued symptoms I had an MRI done to see what all is going on in my head. The MRI came back positive with a parotid gland tumor. In the beginning of march I had surgery to have the tumor removed to see exactly what it was. Today I got the results back and the tumor turned out to be an acinic cell carcinoma tumor. I just need guidance, I need someone to talk me through this and help me. I just lost my mom to cancer and now I have, no where near the same degree but still. Any tips? Advice? SOS

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
    welcome

    Kevin,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, I am very sorry that you find yourself here and I offer my condolence in the loss of your Mother.

    From what I know about your cancer, if it is low grade and the surgery excised the tumor with clean margins then they often do not do a round of rads (at this time).  There has been good success following the surgery only path.

    If you must receive rads you may experience the standard side effects as any HN patient.   May I suggest you skim over the Superthread for information about “what to expect”.  Read virtually any thread in our forum and you will get a taste.

    Your doctors will help you make a wise choice on what to do.  I hope the surgery got it and you can get back to living life.

    Matt

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Welcome Kevin...

    Florida here also...., but a little further north and inland from your area.... I also am sorry about your mother, she sounds like a wonderful person... She definitely had a zest for adventure, sports and helping others, especially children it seems.

    I have no expereince with your particular diagnosis, but can tell you there are many here with tons of experience in many areas of cancer, treatment and recovery.

    As of now, though I know jut the thought of having cancer is scary, see what your MD's have to say and what their plans are.

    There's somebody usually always on, as you can see from Matt's reply at 2:30AM... (But then again, he is on the opposite side of the US from us...,) LOL.

    Just know that you are young, healthy and have your mother's fighting spirit..., count on kicking this and living a long and healthy life.

    Best,

    John

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #4
    Hi Kevin....and welcome

    to this forum.....it's the best one on the internet for information and support.....there are a few on here with ACC, so you are not alone. 

    Are they talking about radiation as part of your treatment?  If so, then there are some side effects that go along with that.....the biggies being dry mouth from saliva loss, and loss of taste....both semi-temporary.

    If you are on Facebook, there is another group there with more people with ACC....if you're interested let me know how to "befriend" you there, and I can hook you up....it's a "closed" group, so you need to be brought into it.....

    I'm SO sorry you lost your mom.....that is hard on any of us, no matter what age.

    p

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #5
    Welcome

    Kevin, like the others, I am really sorry about you losing your mom this year.  You are way too young to have that happen to you but she sounded like one heck of a woman/mom.   I'm really sorry to hear that you have had your own experience with cancer other than your mom.

    I'm sure you have a million questions and are really looking for some answers.  As you meet with your doctors and plan out the treatment, the answers will start coming.  It sounds like you caught it early and hopefully the plan you work out with the doctors will be a minimal impact to your life going forward since you were able to catch it so early.    As others have suggested, read the super thread and I'm sure you're very internet savy and there is a ton of information available from very reliable sources on the web so you can become much better informed.  Stay with sites like American Cancer Society, MD Anderson, Mayo, etc as there are also some "unreliable" sites out there as well that you want to stay away from.

    The people on this site will help as much as possible but the key is to stay positive and know in your mind that you can beat this thing.     We are all sending as much positive energy as we have your way to help and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Stay Strong,

    Keith

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #6
    KB56 said:

    Welcome

    Kevin, like the others, I am really sorry about you losing your mom this year.  You are way too young to have that happen to you but she sounded like one heck of a woman/mom.   I'm really sorry to hear that you have had your own experience with cancer other than your mom.

    I'm sure you have a million questions and are really looking for some answers.  As you meet with your doctors and plan out the treatment, the answers will start coming.  It sounds like you caught it early and hopefully the plan you work out with the doctors will be a minimal impact to your life going forward since you were able to catch it so early.    As others have suggested, read the super thread and I'm sure you're very internet savy and there is a ton of information available from very reliable sources on the web so you can become much better informed.  Stay with sites like American Cancer Society, MD Anderson, Mayo, etc as there are also some "unreliable" sites out there as well that you want to stay away from.

    The people on this site will help as much as possible but the key is to stay positive and know in your mind that you can beat this thing.     We are all sending as much positive energy as we have your way to help and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Stay Strong,

    Keith

    Kevin

    Breaks my heart that you are having to deal with the loss of your Mother and cancer at such a young age. I had my parotid removed in 2009 but it was benigh. In 2012 I developed cancer in my lower jaw on the opposite side. I hope you feel the same way I do, that your Mother will be watching over you and helping you through this journey. 

    God Bless

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #7
    kevin, i'm so sorry for the

    kevin, i'm so sorry for the loss of you mom and that you are now facing cancer yourself.  i am not familiar with that type of cancer but i wanted to tell you that i am praying for you.  i hope you have other family and friends who can be with you thru this journey.  a good support system is very important.  we will all be here for you cheering you on and helping as much as we can.  i hope you will stick around and keep us posted on your progress.

    God bless you, Kevin.

    dj

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #8
    So sorry to hear such a young

    So sorry to hear such a young person has to go through a bout of cancer treatment. You,ll probably sail through it being so young. cancer is only another name for an illness that now a days can be curable. I,m sorry to hear you had to go through it with your dear mother. have you siblings and a father to support you.  Although cancer is a frightening word so many people come through this a stronger person and it sounds as if you have you faith to help you. Keep in touch on this site and so many will help you and support you and anything your not sure about just ask. I had cancer of the back of the tongue and 3 lymph nodes, I had a neck dissection and tongue repair. I,m through it now and get clear scopes each month. Times a good healer and You will soon be over all this and back to good health again.

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