I've done it before

KTeacher
KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
and I can do it again. Not how I planned to spend the rest of my summer vacation. Last August I had surgery for a lump on my upper lip. Squamous cell, spindle cell varient, peri-neural invasion. Stage I, clean margins, HPV-. Had radiation (with amifostone), ended Mid October 2010. I went back to work in January. Major fatigue. Noticed a lump in my neck at the beginning of June. Had a regular checkup with surgeon mid June. He bumped up the Pet Scan that was not to be given until December. Clean Pet, new doctor, previous doctor accepted a position in New York. After exam and poking (gag) new doctor orders a needle biopsy. Results today, mets to lymph node. Surgery on Monday at Stanford. Ready for round 2, I will fight the beast again.
Thank you to all that have posted regularly, your wisdom and words are greatly appreciated. I will not be able to post until after the surgery, I will be in La-la land for a while. I have been reading about neck dissections and am going in aware of what might be happening, my husband/wonderful caregiver is having a harder time with this dx than last summer. We will do this with God helping us.

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    I'm Singing With You
    Haven't been where you are, but I was in the neighborhood. Thought I was done with treatment - first PET was not clean - second showed a lymph node had resisted treatment, and was growing - had my neck disection nine months after chemo rads ended. This was in December. In April, I finally got clean scans. Sounds like you're mentally prepared (as much as you can be) for the surgery - hope all goes smoothly.
  • connieprice1
    connieprice1 Member Posts: 300 Member
    #3
    KTeacher, Our prayers are
    KTeacher, Our prayers are with you both. Try to stay positive although it's understandable that you are scared and worried. Love you both, Homer & Connie
  • luv2cut1
    luv2cut1 Member Posts: 288
    #4
    My husband
    Was in almost the exact same situation except he had a full course of chemoradiation the first time. Clean scan. Seven months later lump in neck turned out to be SCC. Had radical neck dissection and full course of chemo reirradiation. It was brutal, but he made it. 22 months later he is doing well. Like your husband, I took the second diagnosis much harder than the first. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your hubby. You will do great!

    Myka
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #5
    STAY STRONG
    You will conquer the beast this time just like you did the first time.

    Prayers and positive thoughts headed your way.

    Best!!

    Mike
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #6
    Yes, Stay Strong
    As Mike said before me, stay strong. You can beat this again. Cheers.

    Jimbo
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
    Jimbo55 said:

    Yes, Stay Strong
    As Mike said before me, stay strong. You can beat this again. Cheers.

    Jimbo

    Kteacher
    I am sorry that you have to go through this again. Hang in there and stay strong!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    Sorry to Hear
    Thoughts and Prayers,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi K Teacher
    Yes you can do it again with Gods help all the way, and with prays from your family here on CSN.

    Still in Gods workshop
    Hondo

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