Good and Bad News

lizziek
lizziek Member Posts: 27
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi,

The good news is that the insurance company approved the transoral robotic surgery for my supraglottic tumor to take place a week from today March 18th. The case manager said the package of information (journal articles, Utube video citations, etc.) I put together and sent them was the deciding factor more so than the letters from my local ENT and primary.

The bad news is that I had a contrast MRI done yesterday and the report says I have two bilateral enlarged lymph nodes that correspond to the PET scan bright spots in addition to the 2.5 cm tumor. The report ends with "almost certainly represent metastatic disease." Of course the biopsy they plan at the start of surgery will tell for sure. I hope Dr. Genden can get it all out without affecting my vocal cords.

It looks like I will be a regular visitor to this site for the foreseeable future.

I am glad this site exists. The personal accounts of treatment and advice to deal with side effects are invaluable.

Lizzie

Comments

  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #2
    Hi Lizzie
    Hopefully the transoral surgery will mean a quicker recovery for you. Buzz's tumor was too large to be taken out that way so we opted for chemo and radiation. The fact that the cancer has not spread beyond those neck nodes is a good sign. Many of the forum members have had positive nodes and are doing well after treatment. Take care and let us know how you are doing! Karen
  • donna340
    donna340 Member Posts: 72
    #3
    Prayers!
    Sending lots of prayers!
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #4
    Good news, bad news
    Wish all your news had been good but it never seems to work that way. I'm very happy to hear that your insurance company will cover the operation and you only have a week to wait.

    I have SCC Supraglottic laryngeal cancer and have always worried about losing my voice also. Hopefully with this new robotic surgery they will be able to get all of it and you will be cancer free in no time.

    Sending positive thoughts and prayers.
    Glenna
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    Glenna M said:

    Good news, bad news
    Wish all your news had been good but it never seems to work that way. I'm very happy to hear that your insurance company will cover the operation and you only have a week to wait.

    I have SCC Supraglottic laryngeal cancer and have always worried about losing my voice also. Hopefully with this new robotic surgery they will be able to get all of it and you will be cancer free in no time.

    Sending positive thoughts and prayers.
    Glenna

    Hi Lizzie

    Sorry to hear it metastatic into the lymph nodes but that is not uncommon when dealing with Cancer. Keep your positive attitude sister and I too like everyone else will make it a matter of prayer that your vocal cords be spared. Please keep us up-dated on your progress and how you are doing.

    All the best to you
    Hondo
  • connieprice1
    connieprice1 Member Posts: 300 Member
    #6
    Hello Lizzie, A close
    Hello Lizzie, A close friend of mine just had surgery for the same cancer and his voice was spared. His voice was very hoarse before his surgery and right after surgery he was talking clearly. He followed up surgery with radiation treatments. He is now NED and his wife told me he is eating like a horse so hopefully all will go well for you dear. My wife Connie started her chemotherapy in Nov. 2010 and she will finish her last radiation treatment next Thursday. I pray all goes well for you Lizzie and remember you always got friends on this website. Good luck with your surgery and we will keep you in our prayers. Homer & Connie

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