update on ron

janetluvsron
janetluvsron Member Posts: 116
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

hello

ron just hit 3 years on his original tonsil cancer.

he did well thru all his treatments in 2013, hardly any problems. slight mought dryness , mst foods taste somewhat normal to him.

gained his weight and energy back.

just went for his annual check up in january, did ct of neck, neck was clear but it shouwed the top of right lung had something.had a pet scan done, cancer in upper right lobe but no where else.

went straight to surgeon and they wnet in and removed upper right lung.

been a week now, home finally and pain is bad , wheezing and trying to learn a new normal for breathing.

went in to see oncologist yesterday for the pathology report.

squamouse cell stage 11B lung cancer, totally new primary, not a met from tonsil. 1 positive lymph node.

so here we go again, chemo for 4 months weekly.

will be also using the lung cancer boards too, please if any one has info on survivors of this please let me know.

janet

 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    go getém

    Janet,

    I am sorry that Ron’s making this trip again.  You would hope that 3 good years was an indicator of the future.  Since he has been having regular check-ups, they probably caught this early and will expect to be getting better once this round of treatments is completed.   

    It was very fortunate Ron had a CT scan, after a couple of years most just get the scope and feel.

    There are others who have responded well to lung cancer after H&N, I hope Ron joins that club.

    Very best,

    Matt

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #3
    I am sorry to hear this news.

    I am sorry to hear this news. I wasn't around in 2013 when Ron went through cancer the first time, but I am hoping and praying things go well this time and that he comes through with flying colors. 

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #4
    grrrrr....

    Hi Janet,

    It's so sad hearing about Ron. When I see folks on our bus dealing with cancer again it is particularly deflating. At least he was really lucky to get that scan and it included the chest. These days there is a lot of pressure to do less scans. 

    You two are veterans now so much better aware of what's to come. Hope that offers at least some help in the face of dealing with battling the beast again.

    Wishing you as smooth a ride as possible,

    Don

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #5
    I'm sorry that you both have...

    to go through this again.  Thing is, tho....finding lung cancer at Stage II is a great sign....most don't get caught until Stage IV....

    There is a very good lung cancer group on Facebook.....they seem to be a pretty positive bunch....and also seem to know a lot....if you want to join it, let me know.  We can hook up on FB, so I can pull you in.

    p

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #6
    Good and bad but he will do fine.

    Sorry he now has it in his upper lung. They have come so far with lung cancer and many trials. Also with surgery it is amazing what they can do now. I was a "Good Candidate" to have lung reduction surgery which removes 20~30% of upper lobe on both sides so I can breathe better. It has been put off for several years now. With the upper lobe they can make two small holes and just go in and remove it. No longer having to go in from the chest. With his and having the chemo will probabily take care of it. Just a shame to have to do it a gain, but at least he knows first hand what to expect.

    You both will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Bill

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #7
    Lung

    Hi Janet, same thing happened to me, I had larynx cancer and had chemo and rads which did the job, that was in 2009. 2012 having a cat scan at my local hospital they saw a nodule on my lung. Went to my cancer institute and they took a small piece of the lung and it turned out it was adeno cancer butunder a centimeter, needed no further treatment. Was a new primary. Denis

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #8
    denistd said:

    Lung

    Hi Janet, same thing happened to me, I had larynx cancer and had chemo and rads which did the job, that was in 2009. 2012 having a cat scan at my local hospital they saw a nodule on my lung. Went to my cancer institute and they took a small piece of the lung and it turned out it was adeno cancer butunder a centimeter, needed no further treatment. Was a new primary. Denis

    2nd Time Around

    My comment is the same as Donfoo's.  Grrrrrrr!  It's terrible to have to go through the treatment all over again.  I know it's Ron, but I also know how hard it is on the caregiver.  My wife went through hell watching me suffer and not being able to do anything about it.

     

    Lung cancer is one of those things we head and neck survivors tend to worry about.  Mainly due to what's happening to your Ron.  The good news is you caught it early and will now live in the recovery mode until he's back on his feet again.

     

    Just think, if he had never had oral cancer, would you have found out about the lung mass?  It's doubtful, so at least be grateful that one cancer was responsible for finding the other one.  At least that's how I would look at it.

     

    Stay strong,

     

    Tom

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi Janet

    I know it is hard as I been there a few times myself, just don’t let it get you down. One thing I did after having recurring cancer was to change my life style and what I use to eat along with a lot of praying.

     

    Tim

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #10
    Janet

    I wasn't here in 2013, so your story is new to me. It must be so difficult to be facing cancer again...but at least you know that you and your husband had the strength and fortitude to beat it last time, so you know you can do so again. There has been a lot of positive press lately about immunotherapy and new treatments for lung cancer. I hope this journey isn't so bumpy and that you can hear those sweet words "No evidence of Disease" sometime in the near future.

    Barbara

  • janetluvsron
    janetluvsron Member Posts: 116
    #11
    CivilMatt said:

    go getém

    Janet,

    I am sorry that Ron’s making this trip again.  You would hope that 3 good years was an indicator of the future.  Since he has been having regular check-ups, they probably caught this early and will expect to be getting better once this round of treatments is completed.   

    It was very fortunate Ron had a CT scan, after a couple of years most just get the scope and feel.

    There are others who have responded well to lung cancer after H&N, I hope Ron joins that club.

    Very best,

    Matt

    matt, phrannie and others

    so nice to hear from you all, hope all are well.

    not many ppl respond on the lung cancer board but will keep checking.

    He had his right upper lobe removed and that was an experience, large scar and lots of pain and took 4 hours to get clear margins

    but they did, lots of lymph nodes were taken and only 1 was positive but thats all it takes.

    He has made his decision to go with the 4 months of weekly chemo. Last time he had chemo and radiation and that ws horrible.

    Did not have afeeding tube but lost 40 pounds in the 8 weeks. He recovered almost 100%.

    At least this time around we arent dealing with tonsil and all the treatment and radiation to that area so hopefully appetite and just being able to put

    food in the mouth will be better.

    Has anyone heard of what types of chemo they use on lung cancers?

    any long term survivors I can talk to?

    Prayers have always been there for all of you and will always continue.

    janet

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