Keep us in your Prayers - My moms cancer may be back

brigboo67
brigboo67 Member Posts: 24
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My mom had stage IVA Base of tongue cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes in both sides of her neck. It came back as HPV positive. She had 35 rads and 3 cisplatin chemo treatments. During her treatment we lost my dad to his cancer that he had been battling for 3 years. So we have had a rough time since April. She finished her treatment in July. At the end of August she had a petscan and they said it looked great. She had another petscan on Nov 29th. She had just been to the oncologist and the ENT oncologist the week before and they said everything looked great. Her neck nodes were back to normal. The radiation oncologist said the petscan showed a spot in her retro pharynx and two lymph nodes. One lymph node is near her trachea and the other is deep in her chest behind her lung. The petscan says presumably reoccurrence of cancer. She went to a thoracic surgeon on Friday and he is going to biopsy the lymph node near her trachea a week from Monday. I am so stressed. The oncologist said that since the BOT was HPV + that she had a great chance of beating it. Now I am just so upset that it is already showing back. I am so hoping that the pharynx is just inflammation and maybe the nodes in the chest are infection or inflammation. Does anyone know what the options will be if it is back? The radiation oncologist said she would not do anymore radiation. Any information will be truly appreciated.

Comments

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #2
    Hopefully-
    the spots that showed on the PS are nothing/false-Positives. Possible. One must watch what one eats and drinks before the PS, as too much sugar is not a good thing. I only drink water the 48-hours before the PS/CTs I've had, thanks to advice from Hondo. The tests are not perfect, or conclusive- only the biopsy is actual proof.

    As for the advice- likely surgery would be the Drs first suggestion, if it does come back as Positive with a biopsy. Remember you from when you first came on the forum, and I cannot stress enough the significance of the C medical center- ESPECIALLY WITH A RECURRENCE, AND LIMITED OPTIONS. Thus, the U of Iowa at Iowa City is my advice, if the biopsy does come back as Positive. Couple hospitals in Chicago also have excellent reputations. Know it is a drive for you, but the closest top-notch center, in my mind, is in Iowa City (74 to 80, and it'll get you there). You might also consider the U of Illinois. Due to my Cousin, who is being unsuccessfully treated in Peoria, I don't have anything good to say about Peoria.

    Realize that your local Oncologist/Radiologist can treat your Mom as is prescribed by the top-notch Drs elsewhere. Can be done.

    Prayers are with you and your Mom, and hope false-Positives are the only things in play.

    kcass
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #3
    Brigboo
    I have no advice about treatment, but will keep your mom and family in prayer.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Well you are in my Thoughts and Prayers.....think positive thoughts.

    As of now, it hasn't been confirmed to be cancer....keep thinking that way.

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    Hi brgboo

    I agree with John as of right now and until the biopsy it is not cancer, yes the scans may look a little bad but like Kent said you can get a lot of false positives with just doing the PET / CT scan. To me prayers make a big different and I will keep you Mom and all of you in my prayers.

    Hondo
  • Bigfuzzydoug
    Bigfuzzydoug Member Posts: 154
    #6
    {{{{{{{{{{ Healing Energy & Prayers }}}}}}}}}}
    May everything come back negative!

Discussion Boards