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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for January 2016

Taking the good with the bad...
So, haven't been here for awhile. Coming up to the two year mark since initial diagnosis and a year and a half since the chemo and rads. Have had a total of 5 CT scans, 3 PET scans, 2 FNA biopsies and the original surgical biopsy in this two year span. After all of this I'm told that everything is clear as far as the…
It's a small thing - UPDATE
thanks all for your thoughts and prayers. The MOHS surgery was much simpler than the first time - no skin graft required. I sure hope this is the end of basal cell carcinoma on my nose though. I have a small nose and if they have to keep taking pieces of it there won't be much left! As the doctor was putting the stitches…
Confused about biopsy results
I had my first biopsy (gum) on November 18th. Got the results on November 25th. My oral surgeon said it was squamous cell carcinoma. Saw the path report which said aggressive squamous cell carcinoma. Then I go to MDA and they did a cheeck biopsy and results were dysplasia. They also did FNA of the lymph node (the swelling…
Couple of questions
Its been almost 4 months since my treatment has ended and things are finally starting look like I might get back to something like a normal life. I have really been surprised how long it has taken to get even to this point, though from reading on here and listening to my doctors I am supposedly doing better than most.…
It's a small thing...
but I would appreciate it if y'all would put me in your pocket for Friday. I am having MOHS surgery to remove a small basal cell carcinoma on my nose. I had a similar procedure once before and they had to go fairly deep and do a skin graft from my ear. I think this one is much more superficial. It seems so trivial compared…
feeling stupid
Hello everyone! I have commented on a few posts here before and always find everyone's experiences enlightening and promising. I feel really stupid, sometimes, tho when I read about different types of head and neck cancers. I have finished 37 weeks of radiation and 6 chemo/cysplatin...AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT MY CANCER…
Newly diagnosed, surgery soon
Hello, I was diagnosed wish Squamous cell carcinoma two months ago. I am having surgery on February 8th, and i am terrified! We chose MD Anderson because that was the surgeon's recommendation, following my biopsy diagnosis. the surgeon at MDA said there is a possibility of losing some jaw bone, and teeth as well. I have…
4 months out
Ok, so we're four months out now, but it seems longer. My hubby is off the tube and has been eating semi solid food every day for breakfast and supper. Mostly oatmeal, soups, potatoes, baked beans, pasta, etc., although we've been trying anything and everything just to experiment. I give him high calorie, high protein…
Well, a new story begins......Final Update
Hi Folks, Those of you that have been around for a while know my history, but a quick recap might be in order. In 2012 I was diagnosed with Sq HPV+ BOT with the lymph nodes on both sides of my neck involved. Went through induction chemo and rads. I had a reoccurrence in 2014 that resulted in a radical neck dissection and…
Scared Once Again
I had toncil cancer and am 3 years post treatments. I just had a great check up that included a throat scope and was given a thumbs up, NED. I even gradulated to 6 months between check ups. Now I have a tender spot on the right side of my neck right under my jaw bone. I don't find any swollen lymph nodes. When I swollow, I…
Today he rang the bell
as he finished his radiation. 6 weeks of rads done. Chemo was finished last week. These past 6 weeks have been a beast, but my husband and our family have made it through. I never thought this day would get here but now the day has come. All of you here have been such an important part of our journey so far and I thank you…
Jaw Pain
Hi! i had a laryngectomy last October and have experienced jaw pain ever since then. It is much like First Bite Syndrome where severe jaw pain comes with each "first" bite of a meal and subsides through the next few bites until gone. My situation is a bit different because I have a chronic underlying jaw pain most of the…
A story that needs telling: Long but worth it.
A story that needs telling: I guess in a way this story is about unconditional love, hope, faith and even death. My story begins in 1978 when I was 27 years old. My Father whom I loved with all my heart was told he had Cancer. Yes that nasty word that can stop you right in your tracks. Now I loved my…
Today is PET/ct date post neck dissection -Update
my boyfriend finished treatment for NPC at the end of Jan,2015. The 6 month PET showEd 2 hot spots in his right side neck. Had modified right neck dissection in early September and 6 nodes were cancerous. Today is his first post surgery scan. I am so nervous. Please keep us in your prayer. Update: We got in general good…
resources
I was just diagnosed with the 3rd squamous cell on my upper gum. 1st on was in 2004, 2nd 12/14, 3rd 12/15. The cause of these are from the Colbolt radiation that I had in 1975. I have had other surgeries for other side effects too. I am still paying for last year's surgery, now I need 3K before I have this surgery. I need…
Need Advice Please
Hello. I'm hoping someone out there has been in a similar situation as ours and can lend some advice: My husband, 48, was diagnosed with cancer in late November. On December 15, he underwent a 7 hour surgery to remove the tumor from his left tonsil/base of his tongue. The tumor was approximately 2cm in diameter. He also…
Side affects
just noticed a post I answered was 2011 So I did a new one. I have a few of the listed one with the addition of premature aging where the radiation fields were, All around my mouth I have wrinkles like a prune wasn't there before radiotherapy. The rest of my face stayed the same. Also when I stretch my neck slightly tilted…
Medical ID bracelet?
Does anyone wear one of these? My nurse suggested for me to buy one that says "NO MRI" on it. With the amount of titanium in my face, they have my chart flagged for no MRI's but she said what if I was in a car accident or brought in unconscious? I had never really thought about that before. What would I put on it? NO MRI…
Mouth and Throat Mucositis - What Fluids are Less Painful?
How can I make fluids less painful to drink. Swallowing lidocaine makes me vomit and doesn't seem very effective. Maybe adding glycerin to water? Pure water is more painful to swallow than anything else. Some kind of tea maybe? Thank you.
Celine Dion
You may have heard already, but Celine Dion's husband died of throat cancer. I had heard before that he was battling throat cancer and not doing well, but the crazy thing is that after her husband passed, her brother died a few days later - from a combination of throat, tongue and brain cancer. So sad. I'm a HUGE fan of…
Questions About Hospitals-Vermont
Hi All, I am a kidney cancer survivor, and I understand the general language and treatment of cancer. I was fortunate to be treated in NYC at Memorial Sloan Kettering with fabulous results. My 42 year old brother who lives in Rutland, BT was just diagnosed with supraglottic mass. He had his CT scan, and they did a biopsy…
Trachea squamous cell carcinoma
Haven't been on this forum for a while. I hope the rest of you are doing well. I was treated for tonsil cancer a year and half ago. I thought I was one of the lucky ones as my follow up scans were negative. My last pet scan came back with an indication that I had something brewing in my trachea. A bronchoscope was done and…
Husband just diagnosed
hi all, my husband was just diagnoased with squamous cell cancer found by needle biopsy of an enlarged lymph node in his neck. doc will do many more tests to get more details. I wondered what treatments you have found most successful. Any experience/helpful guidance you can share. We are very anxious. Just starting this…
Hello Everyone
It's been quite a while since I have posted anything. Not too much time passes by that I don't drop in to catch up. Last year was a rough one for our family here in HNC. Lately there seems to be a lot more new names. Sadly, it seems to never end. I just wanted to give a little good news. My brother, whom some may remember…
Feeling tired and sleeping alot
I'm 3 months post treatment and I feel tired quite a bit and can fall asleep and sleep most of a day if I'd let myself. I went through chemo and radiation. Anyone else have this problem? Is this normal? Thanks.
Never a dull moment and a second NED!
It's 5 in the morning and my husband bolts upright in bed and starts writhing in pain! Welcome home from vacation! The mystery is solved when we go to the hospital and get an ultrasound that shows some "sludge" and small gallstones in the gallbladder and bile duct. Evidently his digestive system doesn't like the Boost and…
neck muscles still very tight
I'm starting to wonder if the muscles on the side of my neck will ever become soft and relax again? I did some PT and am currently having massages done once a week to try and relax the muscles so that they will stop doing spasms all day and night. I'm so sore from the muscles being tight it's driving me crazy. Has anyone…
Finished chemo today!
My husband had his last chemo today for his tongue cancer. Boom- 6 rounds of cisplatin done. We can't believe it. Both his radiologist and oncologist said he is doing so much better than the average. That said, my husband is kind of down in the dumps from the mucositis he has been having. Today was a big milestone though,…
Necessity is the mother of invention
So my husband is targeting the end of January to get back to work in the operating room. His particular speciality (liver and pancreas cancer) usually means being in the OR anywhere from 3-9 hours. Here's the problem...dry mouth. So far he's had very little return of salivary function. He needs a way to drink without…
update from silent one
Finished my chemo and radiation on Sept 29th. 90 day PET scan showed NED of the supraglottal SCC but the left lymph node lit up the scan at 2.1cm. Greatly reduced from original 5+cm and team still not certain of character of nodes. Dr gave me option of having lymph nodes left surgically removed or just wait and see what…

Head and Neck Cancer

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