Branchial Cystt or SCC
Hello. I am new to this but have messaged some great people who have really been helpful. I am 47 and from Liverpool UK. I have a submandibular neck lump. It is either SCC or a branchial cyst.It is being removed Monday and will have a biopsy whilst in out. If it is cancer I will wake up with a neck dissection. I have two kids and am a cop. Could anybody tell me what to expect in terms of recovery and shoulder disabilty from experience. Also how long radiotherapy would knock me out and how long before I could expect before return to work, excercise and maybe even a family holiday.Any good news stories from SCC neck lump survivors would really lift me. I know the odds are stacked against me. Thanks all.
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Welcome
IF it is cancer, you are in for a wild ride. You will get through this. Read the Superthread at the top of the topics. Tons of information to help you get ready to start the fight. I would imagine that you would need to be off of work for a few months. We are all different in our reactions. Are you able to go to a desk job for a while? How old are your sons? Do you have a wife? There will come a time that you might need some help at home. Enlist the children in helping with some of the tasks. Stay in touch, we will help you get through this.
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Welcome...
Actually I don't think the odds are stacked against you....
If cancer, you have a very good chance of survival with minimal damage..., life changing, but very doable, and very survivable... Though with everyone being different, how you respond, react and recover is also very individual.
Here's a link to my good news story;
Also, check out the SuperThread, first thread in the forum, it will give you tons of info..
Best,
John
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This is the positive responseSkiffin16 said:Welcome...
Actually I don't think the odds are stacked against you....
If cancer, you have a very good chance of survival with minimal damage..., life changing, but very doable, and very survivable... Though with everyone being different, how you respond, react and recover is also very individual.
Here's a link to my good news story;
Also, check out the SuperThread, first thread in the forum, it will give you tons of info..
Best,
John
This is the positive response I love about America and Americans. Thanks. In a realist.As a former smoker at my age odds are not with me but I have a chance. I have a wife and two boys of ten and twelve. Feel physically great and ran 6 miles today before pre op. Am in 0730 Monday. God bless national health service! Am training for marathon for local cancer hospital but this will go on hold if neck dissection/RT. I had teritoma and teste removed but this is unrelated and hit me harder as I have kids. If this gos my way I will be taking another trip to US soon!
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Guzzle...Guzzle said:This is the positive response
This is the positive response I love about America and Americans. Thanks. In a realist.As a former smoker at my age odds are not with me but I have a chance. I have a wife and two boys of ten and twelve. Feel physically great and ran 6 miles today before pre op. Am in 0730 Monday. God bless national health service! Am training for marathon for local cancer hospital but this will go on hold if neck dissection/RT. I had teritoma and teste removed but this is unrelated and hit me harder as I have kids. If this gos my way I will be taking another trip to US soon!
I'm so glad you posted here, where many people can chime in with their experiences.
p
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Thanks for guiding me myphrannie51 said:Guzzle...
I'm so glad you posted here, where many people can chime in with their experiences.
p
Thanks for guiding me my friend.
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Hey there GuzzleGuzzle said:Thanks for guiding me my
Thanks for guiding me my friend.
If it turns out you have a neck dissection here is my experience:
Had 22 lymph nodes removed from 4 levels on Sept 4th 2013. Only one node had SCC and we knew that one was suspect. My surgeon was very experienced (30+years) and did an excellent job. No one can spot my scar which goes from below my left ear and across to the middle of my throat. I am able 6 mos later to raise my arm over my head and sideways all the way up. My spinal acessory nerve was not cut (but it was "disturbed") as he was very careful around all of my nerves so I could turn my head and drive as soon as I was off pain meds (about 8 days after surgery). It took me a long time to get back the strength in the left arm and shoulder and lots of exercises and pain, but I took 2 kayak trips last week and was fine. FYI I think the yoga I do helped me the most but I had to modify it quite a bit at first.
I recall having lots of nerve pain in the front of my chest and could not stand the seat belt or clothes or sheets to touch it for about 1-2 mos.
If you end up having radiation you may need to be off work for a couple of months, but it depends on many factors as others have said. My yoga practice also helped me with breathing through pain and radiation treatments etc. so I did not require Ativan or Valium.
The fact that you feel great and are physically active will serve you well. Your age is also a benefit. I am certain my exercise routine helped me heal fast.
PS you will be fine
From a 67 yo granny with 2 grandchildren 9 & 11 that I must keep up with,
PJ
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Thanks for this. Mobility wasPJ47 said:Hey there Guzzle
If it turns out you have a neck dissection here is my experience:
Had 22 lymph nodes removed from 4 levels on Sept 4th 2013. Only one node had SCC and we knew that one was suspect. My surgeon was very experienced (30+years) and did an excellent job. No one can spot my scar which goes from below my left ear and across to the middle of my throat. I am able 6 mos later to raise my arm over my head and sideways all the way up. My spinal acessory nerve was not cut (but it was "disturbed") as he was very careful around all of my nerves so I could turn my head and drive as soon as I was off pain meds (about 8 days after surgery). It took me a long time to get back the strength in the left arm and shoulder and lots of exercises and pain, but I took 2 kayak trips last week and was fine. FYI I think the yoga I do helped me the most but I had to modify it quite a bit at first.
I recall having lots of nerve pain in the front of my chest and could not stand the seat belt or clothes or sheets to touch it for about 1-2 mos.
If you end up having radiation you may need to be off work for a couple of months, but it depends on many factors as others have said. My yoga practice also helped me with breathing through pain and radiation treatments etc. so I did not require Ativan or Valium.
The fact that you feel great and are physically active will serve you well. Your age is also a benefit. I am certain my exercise routine helped me heal fast.
PS you will be fine
From a 67 yo granny with 2 grandchildren 9 & 11 that I must keep up with,
PJ
Thanks for this. Mobility was my major worry. If I can get fully fit in 6 months I will be very happy. I can retire in just over 3 years after 30 years service and really want to see this out.Hopefully fit enough to take another job. I hope for the best but am prepared for the worst. There are some really tough grannies in the USA!
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not too different
my girls were 16 and 14 when i found out i had SCC in 5 golf ball sized nodes in my neck.
I am with John on this one, odds are not stacked against these days.
first and foremost it's not cancer till it's been told thru biopsy.
Several i know who had surgery first were lucky and got the lesser of radiation treatment amounts but pretty much the same chemo. They do this to do a clean up of any unforeseen. Most clean up radition is like 30 treatments compared to 35-38-40. neither is easy at all, but 30 is far better for side effects durning and post(long term)
my understanding is there are two neck surgery's.... one radical and one neck. Radical is more extensive and probably will loose the abilility to raise your arm above your shoulder straight up. not always and some PT might help somewhat.
as stated everyone reacts to radiation, chemo and surgery differently. but all is doable for sure.
now the good news...... for me, that was 18 plus years ago. four grandkids, two daughters thru 6 plus years of college each, two son in laws later, the sun still rises.
it's not bad till it is bad, that is certainity.
with your positive fighting attitude, you have many years ahead of you!
please let us know the results as we continue to keep you in our prayers.
john
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Oh and its sleepy time hereGuzzle said:Thanks for this. Mobility was
Thanks for this. Mobility was my major worry. If I can get fully fit in 6 months I will be very happy. I can retire in just over 3 years after 30 years service and really want to see this out.Hopefully fit enough to take another job. I hope for the best but am prepared for the worst. There are some really tough grannies in the USA!
Oh and its sleepy time here in UK so ill bid you all good night. Thanks again.
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John thanks so much mate. Nofisrpotpe said:not too different
my girls were 16 and 14 when i found out i had SCC in 5 golf ball sized nodes in my neck.
I am with John on this one, odds are not stacked against these days.
first and foremost it's not cancer till it's been told thru biopsy.
Several i know who had surgery first were lucky and got the lesser of radiation treatment amounts but pretty much the same chemo. They do this to do a clean up of any unforeseen. Most clean up radition is like 30 treatments compared to 35-38-40. neither is easy at all, but 30 is far better for side effects durning and post(long term)
my understanding is there are two neck surgery's.... one radical and one neck. Radical is more extensive and probably will loose the abilility to raise your arm above your shoulder straight up. not always and some PT might help somewhat.
as stated everyone reacts to radiation, chemo and surgery differently. but all is doable for sure.
now the good news...... for me, that was 18 plus years ago. four grandkids, two daughters thru 6 plus years of college each, two son in laws later, the sun still rises.
it's not bad till it is bad, that is certainity.
with your positive fighting attitude, you have many years ahead of you!
please let us know the results as we continue to keep you in our prayers.
john
John thanks so much mate. No primary found yet so Im in with a chance. Cancer was already a cause close to my heart.I cycled the Ring of Kerry in Ireland last year and if results go well will still run marathon in May. I am hosting a black tie charity ball in June which I will attend no matter what my state! Thanks All for your experience. Whichever way this plays out it will make me redouble my efforts. Good night all.
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????????????/
Guzzle,
Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry you are here, but you are in good company.
If it turns out to be cancer, then read the SuperThread and plan for some down time.
If it turns out NOT to be cancer, then plan on a big hug for the family and run a marathon.
Either way you will get through it and spend the next 3 years being a cop.
Good luck,
Matt
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Thanks. Cant tell you howCivilMatt said:????????????/
Guzzle,
Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry you are here, but you are in good company.
If it turns out to be cancer, then read the SuperThread and plan for some down time.
If it turns out NOT to be cancer, then plan on a big hug for the family and run a marathon.
Either way you will get through it and spend the next 3 years being a cop.
Good luck,
Matt
Thanks. Cant tell you how much your support means.
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Friends...Guzzle said:Thanks. Cant tell you how
Thanks. Cant tell you how much your support means.
..thanks for everything so far. In at 073
Just ran a blustery 6 miles on the beach. If in unwell I cant feel it apart from the lump. In ay 0730 tomorrow. It is 1030 gmt now. Praying for a smalll miracle. Thanks G.
reatw.(its now 1010). Everything will become clear when I wake. If I am ill I cant believe how well I feel. Just ran a blustery 6 miles along the beach. Apart from the lump I feel in gt
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messed up that post!Guzzle said:Friends...
..thanks for everything so far. In at 073
Just ran a blustery 6 miles on the beach. If in unwell I cant feel it apart from the lump. In ay 0730 tomorrow. It is 1030 gmt now. Praying for a smalll miracle. Thanks G.
reatw.(its now 1010). Everything will become clear when I wake. If I am ill I cant believe how well I feel. Just ran a blustery 6 miles along the beach. Apart from the lump I feel in gt
messed up that post!
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You are a scream mate.Skiffin16 said:10K...
I thought maybe you were doing a 10K post...
You are a scream mate. Thanks. I haven't felt this fit for a long time! Which is ironic! Will catch up when I come round. Been reading cancer chat uk which a guy called Leo who has visited here is on. There is a long thread called branchial cyst by a top bloke called Access 14. He sounds like your type of fella. It would be good if some long term USA survivors could post. There are many more of you and you have really helped me. Everything crossed for tomorrow but your tram here have prepared me.
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Well....Guzzle said:You are a scream mate.
You are a scream mate. Thanks. I haven't felt this fit for a long time! Which is ironic! Will catch up when I come round. Been reading cancer chat uk which a guy called Leo who has visited here is on. There is a long thread called branchial cyst by a top bloke called Access 14. He sounds like your type of fella. It would be good if some long term USA survivors could post. There are many more of you and you have really helped me. Everything crossed for tomorrow but your tram here have prepared me.
Hopefully, your cyst will just be a lump and nothing more..., and though you are more than welcome to stay... If you are cancer free and choose to move on, that would be a great thing also...
Thoughts and prayers your way,
John
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One way or another I have metSkiffin16 said:Well....
Hopefully, your cyst will just be a lump and nothing more..., and though you are more than welcome to stay... If you are cancer free and choose to move on, that would be a great thing also...
Thoughts and prayers your way,
John
One way or another I have met some fine people here John. So I won't be going anywhere in a hurry mate. Thanks.
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