First bilateral IDC, now SCC
I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in Aug 2012. I finished my last round of chemo on Dec 10, 2012. Less then two weeks later a bump appears on my chin. I really thought it was just a blind pimple that was going to heal slowly due to my immune system being down from the chemo. It stayed the same for weeks then one day it just took off and started to spread across my chin. It was red, swollen and very painful. It also started to get a crusty appearence to it.
I go to the deramtologist on Feb 18, 2013. (I inform them of my recent cancer and treatment) They do a biopsy for infection, give me a script for some acne cream and tell me to come back in a week. I go back on Feb 25, 2013 and am told it isn't a fungal infection. They tell me to stop using the acne cream since it doesn't appear to be doing any good and then give me a script for an antibiotic (used for severe acne) and a steriod cream. They then tell me to come back in two weeks but on a Thursday instead. The NP wants me to see the other deramtologist in the office. Now during this two and a half week wait, it spreads to my lower lip, the speriod cream is making it itch worse then before and I stop using it. I see my Oncologist on March 11, 2013. My three month since chemo completion visit, and to start my tamoxifen treatment. I tell her about my deramtolgy visits. I tell her I am to go back in three days to see another doctor. She doesn't want to start the tamoxifen until we know whats going on with my chin and lip. I am to call her asap after my appt on the 14th. She wants me to go to the nearby University hospital.
So I go back on Mar 14, 2013, the new doctor I see takes one look at me and says " due to your previous cancer and chemo, I am concerned this is a new cancer brewing". He does another biopsy, this time on my lip. He tells me to come back in a week. I call my oncologist and she tells me to lets see what this biopsy says and when I get the results if the deramtologist doesn't send me to the Unversity hospital, she will. I go back on March 21, 2013 and he tells me it is SCC and where he has seen plenty of that, he has never seen anything like mine. Not really what you want to hear. He then says I need to go to make an appt with University hospital head and neck dept. My head was spinning, really cancer? I had been going there for over a month and being treated for acne! During that month it was getting worse. I am just so frustrated. They should have biopsied it for cancer on my intial visit. Two cancer diagnosis in seven months.....I have done some research, SCC can be very hard to beat.
So that was four days ago, I am now waiting for the University to gather all my medical records and call me back with an appointment. This SCC covers most of my chin and bottom lip. I'm really frightened, I could use some input, surely I am not alone. Thanks in advance:)
Comments
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Welcome
You found a wonderful and supportive group of people here. Sorry that we have to meet this way. Many on the site were treated for infections for weeks and months before doctors check for cancer. When I had my first surgery, doctor said not to worry, it did not look like cancer. One week later, cancer, rare and aggresive. I was sent to Stanford the next week and a week later more surgery. Stanford removed more of the upper lip until clean boundaries. Amazing how well I healed. Hopefully thay will get moving now. Sometimes it feels like hurry up and wait. You might want to check out the Superthread to prepare yourself for what is to come.
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Thank youKTeacher said:Welcome
You found a wonderful and supportive group of people here. Sorry that we have to meet this way. Many on the site were treated for infections for weeks and months before doctors check for cancer. When I had my first surgery, doctor said not to worry, it did not look like cancer. One week later, cancer, rare and aggresive. I was sent to Stanford the next week and a week later more surgery. Stanford removed more of the upper lip until clean boundaries. Amazing how well I healed. Hopefully thay will get moving now. Sometimes it feels like hurry up and wait. You might want to check out the Superthread to prepare yourself for what is to come.
Thank you for your quick response:) You are so right about the hurry up and wait! I will check it out, thank you again.
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PattiPatti1967 said:Thank you
Thank you for your quick response:) You are so right about the hurry up and wait! I will check it out, thank you again.
First off, welcome to our family! I'm so sorry you have to be here but it is the place to be for people like us :-)
H&N SCC is actually more easily curable than you think. Just so you know, mine was vocal cord and I was given reflux meds, antibiotics and allergy meds for a year to try and fix my problem!!! Then once I was diagnosed properly it was another month or so before we got moving on treatment.
I suggest you NOT do too many Internet searches on this topic. Most of the information you will find on the net is outdated or incorrect. Instead ask your Dr's or anyone on here. No question is off limits here.
Please keep us posted and ask any questions you may have. If you feel comfortable doing so, you may give us your location or general area and perhaps someone on here can guide to a dr or facility that they went to. No pressure to do so of course. I'm in theLos Angeles are and I love my doctors!
Take good care,
Billie0 -
patti, i had cancer of the
patti, i had cancer of the voice box but was also treated for other stuff with antibiotics b4 they found it. once they found it trmnts strarted. hopefully, ur trmnts will get started very soon. try to hang in there. we will all be praying for you.
God bless,
deb
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ThanksBillie67 said:Patti
First off, welcome to our family! I'm so sorry you have to be here but it is the place to be for people like us :-)
H&N SCC is actually more easily curable than you think. Just so you know, mine was vocal cord and I was given reflux meds, antibiotics and allergy meds for a year to try and fix my problem!!! Then once I was diagnosed properly it was another month or so before we got moving on treatment.
I suggest you NOT do too many Internet searches on this topic. Most of the information you will find on the net is outdated or incorrect. Instead ask your Dr's or anyone on here. No question is off limits here.
Please keep us posted and ask any questions you may have. If you feel comfortable doing so, you may give us your location or general area and perhaps someone on here can guide to a dr or facility that they went to. No pressure to do so of course. I'm in theLos Angeles are and I love my doctors!
Take good care,
BillieI'm just outside of Chicago. You are right about the searches, I am so glad I found this forum!
Thank you,
Patti
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I just received a call, mydebbiejeanne said:patti, i had cancer of the
patti, i had cancer of the voice box but was also treated for other stuff with antibiotics b4 they found it. once they found it trmnts strarted. hopefully, ur trmnts will get started very soon. try to hang in there. we will all be praying for you.
God bless,
deb
I just received a call, my appointment is on April 4th. At least now the ball is rolling. God bless to you, to all of you.
Thank you,
Patti
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second opinion may be in order ?Patti1967 said:I just received a call, my
I just received a call, my appointment is on April 4th. At least now the ball is rolling. God bless to you, to all of you.
Thank you,
Patti
Patti
I too live in suburban Chicago.... (I sent you a private message).
I would recommend a second opinion. I sent you some info.
Good Luck and welcome to the H&N group.
Ingrid
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Got it!Ingrid K said:second opinion may be in order ?
Patti
I too live in suburban Chicago.... (I sent you a private message).
I would recommend a second opinion. I sent you some info.
Good Luck and welcome to the H&N group.
Ingrid
I received your message, thanks so much for the information! For the life of me, I don't know how I missed this great site with my breast cancer! I sure am glad I found it now. I have been reading through posts, and wow what a great group of people.
Patti
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