Hi! First post - Just got cancer diagnosis

phrannie51 said:

You're a lucky man, Don....
finding this site right away. I too stumbled upon this forum when I was first diagnosed with Nasophraengeal Carcinoma, and found a wonderful place to talk about my fears, my concerns, and my treatment among people who have been there, and done that....as well as others who were also starting their treatments. Along with all the experience, the folks here are smart, knowledgeable, supportive and kind. This is the best place to be before, during and after treatment...

I'm sorry you had to join our little club, but delighted you found us...welcome.

p

donfoo said:

Unbelievable!
I am in awe at the response and support. Thank you all. I am here for the duration and look forward to both giving and receiving support.

For those who have already trodden down this path some of this may sound familiar; for those who follow, this may help illuminate the path you may be on.

10 days ago - I see a primary care doctor after finally admitting the growth on my necks is not going to away on its own. It's been there and growing for many months. When it started pressing against my vocal cords and I would squeak like Pee Wee Herman, it started pressing against my windpipe, and my family screamed about my constant bad breath, I went it.

I knew it was not good when the doctor sort of had that look like seeing a ghost. Then another doctor was called in, then some resident to see it. Orders were written and I was sent to hospital for various blood tests, then next day for throat and chest CT scan. Saw an ENT later that day who I think though it best to refer me to a throat/neck cancer ENT-surgeon.

Had that appointment yesterday and he immediately did the preliminary diagnosis.

Now scheduled next several days out for dental and also PET scan, MRI, and general operation biopsy. I guess at that point they should pretty well have confirmed diagnosis, right?

Both ENT mentioned chemo and radiation first then surgery later depending. That's about it for now.

I did call the help line here and got some good information emailed about oral cancer and the treatments, etc.

Thank you all for your support.
Don

Pam M said:

Another Base of Tongue Stage IV
Hi Don.

I was diagnosed a little over three years ago (the antibiotics the Urgent Care center gave me for my "infection" didn't do the job). My team's plan was Induction chemo, then chemo radiation in hopes we'd be able to avoid surgery. I did not require surgery on my tongue, but did have to have the modified radical neck dissection nine months after chemo-rads. Doc told me my scans showed No Evidence of Disease ("NED") a little over a year and a half ago. Today, I can eat most things, and work full time. I have some lasting effects from treatment, but none are horrible.

I can't help much on useful discussion areas - this is the only one I use. Early in treatment, I visited the chat room at least once a day here - I liked the instant feedback, but didn't always care for the company in the chat room (sometimes very helpful and supportive and informative, sometimes funny or silly distrations, and unfortunately, sometimes immature and unkind). Chat room was helpful, though, when it came to dealing with side effects - very often all I really needed was "I had that, too - the medicine the doc gave me cleared it up" or "It helped me a lot to . . ." This discussion board, though, was a god-send for me. I might have to wait a little longer, but I got info I could rely on and relate to.

Do well.