To Pam

luv2cut1
luv2cut1 Member Posts: 288
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi Pam,

I am sorry your PET results did not come back as good as you had hoped. I was wondering why you hadn't posted the results, because I know you had your CT about the same time Pat had his PET. I was very worried and checked often for your results. I wanted to ask you, but figured that if you wanted to tell us, you would. You are a wonderful member of this board and are always giving a lot of love and support to others. I hope that now you will accept our love and support for you.

Just to let you know, Pat had stage II supraglottic cancer in 2008. He was treated with chemo radiation. He got the all clear in December 2008. In February of 2009, he noticed a lump on his neck. Sure enough, it turned out to be cancer. He ended up having involvement in four lymph nodes and there was extracapsular spread. He had a radical neck dissection (positive margins) along with chemo reirradiation. His 14 month PET in November came back good. So - I know that a neck dissection is not a pleasant thing and is not what you had hoped for, but there is great hope that it will get the cancer once and for all. Pat is doing very well and his quality of life is good. We never know what tomorrow holds, but we are hoping and praying for good results for you. You will get through this and we will all be here to help and support you.

Please take care and keep us posted.

Love,
Myka
«1

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.
  • alwaysforhim
    alwaysforhim Member Posts: 14
    #3
    Pam M said:

    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.

    surgery
    Hi Pam, My spouse had stage IV with mets to the lymph nodes. In May he did the 35 radiation treatments, while enduring the cisplatin chemo. We were hoping beyond hope we would get a clean scan in Sept since he was still pretty well beat up. It didn't come back clean. He went in for a modified neck disscetemy on Sept 3. He is doing great. He was able to eat as soon as he was released. Slowly and lots of water, but he did eat. His only complaint was major stiffness on the left side of his neck. In Nov. we finally got that no evidence of disease we were hoping for. I have no doubt you will be doing the ned dance on New Year's Eve!
  • kingcole42005
    kingcole42005 Member Posts: 178
    #4
    Pam M said:

    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.

    I had a neck dissection and I don't think it will effect your
    I had a neck dissection and I don't think it will effect your eating too much. My problem was my cancer was in the floor of my mouth and I had to have it packed with guaze for days. But as soon as they took out the all the tubes (feeding, drainage)and guaze I could get stuff down fine. Good luck to you, your going to have a GREAT Christmas!!! Shelly
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    Pam M said:

    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.

    Got you in prayer
    Keeping you in all my prayers Pam
  • rush1958
    rush1958 Member Posts: 223 Member
    #6
    Pam M said:

    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.

    Neck Dissection
    Pam,

    I'm sorry you need a little follow-up, but this may be the thing that does the trick.

    I had the neck dissection up front along with laser surgery on the BOT tumor. I was able to swallow within a day or two. It was by far these easiest part of the treatment process. Having my tonsils removed for biopsy was horribly worse.

    You'll be fine for a Christmas feast!

    Rush
  • donna340
    donna340 Member Posts: 72
    #7
    Prayers!
    Sending lots of prayers!
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #8
    donna340 said:

    Prayers!
    Sending lots of prayers!

    Pam
    Praying that all goes well for you. I am so sorry that it didn't turn out perfect for you. Thank you for all the support that you give to us here. It's time for us to give it back to you.

    Hugs,

    Sweet
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #9
    Pam M said:

    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.

    Pam
    Right beside you all the way Pam. Praying you up big time.

    Bob
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #10
    sweetblood22 said:

    Pam
    Praying that all goes well for you. I am so sorry that it didn't turn out perfect for you. Thank you for all the support that you give to us here. It's time for us to give it back to you.

    Hugs,

    Sweet

    Dear Pam,
    I am sending you
    Dear Pam,
    I am sending you lots of love and positive energy.
    You have been there for us as we are now for you.
    Stacey
  • don62
    don62 Member Posts: 25
    #11
    staceya said:

    Dear Pam,
    I am sending you
    Dear Pam,
    I am sending you lots of love and positive energy.
    You have been there for us as we are now for you.
    Stacey

    Pam
    Pam, your in my prayers.
    Don
  • luv2cut1
    luv2cut1 Member Posts: 288
    #12
    Pam M said:

    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.

    Pat could eat
    Hi Pam,

    As you well know now, your scan results did not get lost in the shuffle and I am so glad you did post. I realize this is a very private battle for us all and did not want to intrude. I hope you know that there are many people here thinking about you and praying for you - always.

    Pat had a radical neck dissection with over 60 lymph nodes removed. He then had a pectoral flap reconstruction. He was in the hospital for a week. I hope your procedure is not as extensive, but Pat could eat after the surgery. He was on so many pain meds and was on a ventilator for a couple of days so he didn't really feel like eating, but his throat was fine. I have no doubt as sturdy as you are, you will do just fine. Pat started his chemo/rads 7 1/2 weeks after his surgery. We were told that they like to start them within 6 weeks, but we were getting second and even third opinions because his prognosis was not great. When we finally got our third opinion at the University of Colorado hospital, they told us that it was much more important to have a good plan 7 1/2 weeks out than it was to have a hurried plan sooner. If you have to have chemo/rads I hope they can start yours within the six weeks. I really hope that you don't need the chemo/rads, but if you do, please know it is not easy, but it is doable. For someone that can fall down the stairs with a TV and not even break the TV, much less your own body, you will be able to handle it. Pat did treatment both times without a feeding tube and now he can eat almost anything he wants. He is more sensitive to spicy foods than he used to be, but other than that he really has no problems. He just eats a little slower than he used to.

    If you have any questions at all or if we can be of help in any way, please let us know. My email is mykalandry@gmail.com. Know that all of us are thinking of you and praying for you. We are all looking forward to the NED report that will be coming soon.

    Take care and please keep us posted when you feel like it. Prayers for you every day and especially on the 21st. You will have a wonderful Christmas.

    Love,
    Myka
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #13
    don62 said:

    Pam
    Pam, your in my prayers.
    Don

    Pam
    Sorry your scan was not what you hoped for. You are such a positive & upbeat lady & are alway's such a help to us all. Now it is our turn to be there for you. Many thought's & Prayer's are headed your way.
    God Bless
    Roz
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #14
    Pam M said:

    Very Kind
    Myka,
    Thank you for your well wishes and prayers - it matters.

    I am sorry I did not post my results sooner. I was hoping my scan was lost in the shuffle, and no one would notice that I hadn't reported. Part of the time, something nagged me to post "You should post - you would want to hear from others, whether it was good or bad". Finally, when Vivi asked if anyone else did "wait and watch", I had to speak up.

    Very glad Pat is doing well. I fully expect to have a smooth recovery from the procedure - I'm sturdy. when I was about 12, I fell down a full flight of stairs (carrying my family's only TV); when I landed in the entryway of our duplex, my mother (who had run to the entry) asked "Is it broken?" She said "You could fall off a house and be OK". For the record, the tv was fine - I had my arms wrapped around it, and curled my legs up in the fall.

    How long after the dissection did Pat start chemo rads? Was he able to eat after the dissection? I didn't give it any thought, thinking that the nodes aren't inside my throat, so I'll be able to swallow, then a cousin expressed concern that I wouldn't be able to do the family Christmas gorge-fest (well, it's watered down now, too - it's probably just a pig-out now). I have the surgery the 21st - will be home the 23rd or Christmas Eve. I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family.

    thanks again for letting me know you were thinking of me. Hope you and yours are prepping for a wonderful Christmas.

    Christmas feast
    I'm so sorry to hear your scan results were not as good as you, and all of us here, had prayed for. You've always been so strong for us and helped many of us through our treatments so now we are here to help you be strong.

    You say "I'll be OK if I have to miss another Christmas feast, but I get the feeling it matters to my family." But I respectfully disagree, your family will be so happy to have you there with them whether or not you eat.

    You will continue to be in my daily prayers and I will be sending positive energy and additional prayers on the 21st.

    Stay strong,
    Glenna
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #15
    Props to you Pam
    We're here for you. Sending strengthening thoughts.

    Deb
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #16
    alwaysforhim said:

    surgery
    Hi Pam, My spouse had stage IV with mets to the lymph nodes. In May he did the 35 radiation treatments, while enduring the cisplatin chemo. We were hoping beyond hope we would get a clean scan in Sept since he was still pretty well beat up. It didn't come back clean. He went in for a modified neck disscetemy on Sept 3. He is doing great. He was able to eat as soon as he was released. Slowly and lots of water, but he did eat. His only complaint was major stiffness on the left side of his neck. In Nov. we finally got that no evidence of disease we were hoping for. I have no doubt you will be doing the ned dance on New Year's Eve!

    Good to Hear
    Glad to hear your hubby's doing so well, alwaysforhim (and not just because I'm following in his treatment footsteps, but there's that, too). Thanks for teh good word.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #17
    kingcole42005 said:

    I had a neck dissection and I don't think it will effect your
    I had a neck dissection and I don't think it will effect your eating too much. My problem was my cancer was in the floor of my mouth and I had to have it packed with guaze for days. But as soon as they took out the all the tubes (feeding, drainage)and guaze I could get stuff down fine. Good luck to you, your going to have a GREAT Christmas!!! Shelly

    Thanks, Shelly
    I'm thinking I'll be eating just fine, thanks. If you could, I should really be fine, since I won't be undergoing anywhere near what you did. I think I will have a great Christmas - you have the same.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #18
    kingcole42005 said:

    I had a neck dissection and I don't think it will effect your
    I had a neck dissection and I don't think it will effect your eating too much. My problem was my cancer was in the floor of my mouth and I had to have it packed with guaze for days. But as soon as they took out the all the tubes (feeding, drainage)and guaze I could get stuff down fine. Good luck to you, your going to have a GREAT Christmas!!! Shelly

    Thanks, Shelly
    I'm thinking I'll be eating just fine, thanks. If you could, I should really be fine, since I won't be undergoing anywhere near what you did. I think I will have a great Christmas - you have the same.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #19
    Hondo said:

    Got you in prayer
    Keeping you in all my prayers Pam

    Thanks Again
    Hondo,
    As always, thank you.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #20
    rush1958 said:

    Neck Dissection
    Pam,

    I'm sorry you need a little follow-up, but this may be the thing that does the trick.

    I had the neck dissection up front along with laser surgery on the BOT tumor. I was able to swallow within a day or two. It was by far these easiest part of the treatment process. Having my tonsils removed for biopsy was horribly worse.

    You'll be fine for a Christmas feast!

    Rush

    Prepping for Feast
    Rush,
    Thanks for the boost. I really appreciate the comparison to the tonsillectomy (mine didn't have cancer, but went anyway); that was a miserable time for me.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #21
    adventurebob said:

    Pam
    Right beside you all the way Pam. Praying you up big time.

    Bob

    Yay, Bob
    Thank you, Bob - big time. Funny - past few days, I think about you when I'm dry.

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