Two types of cancer in a week!!!!

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Borisette
Borisette Member Posts: 10
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
On the 12 march 2012 I was told I have a rare cancer of the sinus olfactory neuroblastoma ...
On the 15 march 2012 I found out I also have stage multifocal breast cancer..
Fair I think not but that's what I've been dealt..

They are thinking of a combined op for my sinus from my nose and above and remove my breast in
The same op.. Without reconstruction for 6 to 12 months don't think I can cope with that...

Does anyone else have ideas....

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  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #2
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    Wow, Borisette
    So very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Sounds like you are in for a serious fight for your life. Is it the 'fight' part that you are struggling with, or the lack of reconstruction?

    There probably won't be a lot of folks on the Head/Neck forum that can speak to the reconstructive surgery part, but I'm sure there are others here with experience with olfactory neuroblastoma. I read a study recently comparing outcomes between folks who had immediate reconstructive surgery versus those who did not, and the two compared very favorably. Would your doctors reconsider? Alternatively, is the reason they will not do the reconstructive surgery the fact that you'll already be getting two surgeries in a day?

    Deb
  • braziliangirl82
    braziliangirl82 Member Posts: 42
    #3
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    Hi borisette
    Im kind of shocked but understand you a bit. I was diagnosed one day before my dads cancer.

    Mine as tongue cancer and his as lung cancer.

    Two people in the same day... My treatments are over but we are all suffering with my dad.

    How old are u?
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #4
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    You have a lot to deal with...
    I'm trying to imagine a double whammy in 3 days...a tough hand for sure.

    You are newly diagnosed, and still reeling, I'm sure...As Deb said, you're in for a fight for your life. When I first heard that I had HNC, I leaped right over the "fight" into how would my husband feel seeing me at my absolute worst..worse than even I have seen me. I think it's one of the steps getting to acceptance of our disease...and it doesn't last very long.

    If you must wait a few months for reconstruction, you WILL cope...I know you will because you will become the active participant in this fight for life as the number 1 step on your way to reconstruction. Human nature is an amazing thing in how it adjusts to take care of what is in front of us, first things first...It's going to be ok.

    p
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #5
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    going
    it is going to be a long road, but i like your doctor/surgeons thoughts. you can not give cancer time, the quicker it is removed the better and by doing both at the same time only dealing with huge pain all at one time.

    so sorry for your news. this is the place to be for support.

    prayers for you and your family.

    john
  • Borisette
    Borisette Member Posts: 10
    #6
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    braziliangirl82 said:

    Hi borisette
    Im kind of shocked but understand you a bit. I was diagnosed one day before my dads cancer.

    Mine as tongue cancer and his as lung cancer.

    Two people in the same day... My treatments are over but we are all suffering with my dad.

    How old are u?

    45 yrs
    Surgery next week
    45 yrs

    Surgery next week thurs or fri :/
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
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    Borisette said:

    45 yrs
    Surgery next week
    45 yrs

    Surgery next week thurs or fri :/

    You're going to get thru this....
    If you have time, read back a little in this forum...there are a few of us who have been just recently diagnosed. I think you'll find comfort and a sense of confidence knowing that you aren't alone, that there are MANY others who have gone thru surgery, radiation and chemo and came out the other side. I'm letting them carry me...and we'll carry you...

    I think it's a good idea that you're going to have both done at the same time...that's how I'd want to do it.

    KEEP COMING BACK!!

    p
  • zipperneck2012
    zipperneck2012 Member Posts: 27
    #8
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    <3</b>
    I can't imagine being double diagnosed all at once. Take a deep breath. You can do it, and you have tons of support here :)
  • braziliangirl82
    braziliangirl82 Member Posts: 42
    #9
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    Borisette said:

    45 yrs
    Surgery next week
    45 yrs

    Surgery next week thurs or fri :/

    Good luck
    Goodluck on surgeries. When you are ok come back here and let us know!
  • ooo
    ooo Member Posts: 105
    #10
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    Double hug
    Hi Borisette,

    I don't have many words for you, just two warm hugs.

    I imagine you'll need some chemotherapy after surgery. Is there a chemo drug that targets both kinds of cancer? In that case it could be doubly worth to remove both tumors at the same time and do only one chemo.

    You have all my support. Best of luck with the week ahead of you!
  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 727 Member
    #11
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    ooo said:

    Double hug
    Hi Borisette,

    I don't have many words for you, just two warm hugs.

    I imagine you'll need some chemotherapy after surgery. Is there a chemo drug that targets both kinds of cancer? In that case it could be doubly worth to remove both tumors at the same time and do only one chemo.

    You have all my support. Best of luck with the week ahead of you!

    Two at once
    I am so shocked to read about your cancers. And I agree, totally not fair at all. No one deserves to go through that.

    There really isn't any advice I can give except to say that you will need to face these demons head on and get them out as soon as possible. Having both done the same is what I would do too. I hated knowing there was cancer inside me and wanted it out fast.

    Please try to think positive. Even though you were dealt a unfair hand, you still need to focus on living. Get into battle mode and charge through it best you can. One day in the future you can talk about how you beat two at once. Quite a feat.

    You are in my prayers,

    Tommy
  • Borisette
    Borisette Member Posts: 10
    #12
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    tommyodavey said:

    Two at once
    I am so shocked to read about your cancers. And I agree, totally not fair at all. No one deserves to go through that.

    There really isn't any advice I can give except to say that you will need to face these demons head on and get them out as soon as possible. Having both done the same is what I would do too. I hated knowing there was cancer inside me and wanted it out fast.

    Please try to think positive. Even though you were dealt a unfair hand, you still need to focus on living. Get into battle mode and charge through it best you can. One day in the future you can talk about how you beat two at once. Quite a feat.

    You are in my prayers,

    Tommy

    Hi all thAnks for ur
    Hi all thAnks for ur responses.... Next week both teams are working together and hopefully removing both cancers.
    Will let u know the outcomes once I'm back on my feet...
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #13
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    Borisette said:

    Hi all thAnks for ur
    Hi all thAnks for ur responses.... Next week both teams are working together and hopefully removing both cancers.
    Will let u know the outcomes once I'm back on my feet...

    how are you doing, Borisette ?
    Hi there, just wondering how you are doing. Did you have both surgeries as was planned ?
    hoping to hear that all went well.
  • Borisette
    Borisette Member Posts: 10
    #14
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    Ingrid K said:

    how are you doing, Borisette ?
    Hi there, just wondering how you are doing. Did you have both surgeries as was planned ?
    hoping to hear that all went well.

    Surgery one completed
    My surgeries were split into two!!! On Monday 16 th April I underwent the removal of the olfactory neuroblastoma.
    This was a 7.5 hr surgery. I go back in today to see if results are in and to see if they think that they got clear margins.
    They had to remove the bone between my sinus and brain and they caused a cf leak they then had to removed a plug of fat from my belly to plug the hole. I now have to be careful for another three weeks as this plug could be dislodged and require more surgery.
    I was so happy they managed to remove everything via my nose such a relief on waking.....
    In six weeks time radiation will begin but still awaiting a reply on chemo ... My way if thinking is that I have had 2 cancers best doing chemo to mop up anything that might be running around my body that we don't know about....

    Wednesday 9 th may I go in for my mastectomy with reconstruction... Just recovering from first surgery ready to tackle the next,

    Thanks for asking
    Xxxxx
  • thesontupes
    thesontupes Member Posts: 11
    #15
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    Borisette said:

    Surgery one completed
    My surgeries were split into two!!! On Monday 16 th April I underwent the removal of the olfactory neuroblastoma.
    This was a 7.5 hr surgery. I go back in today to see if results are in and to see if they think that they got clear margins.
    They had to remove the bone between my sinus and brain and they caused a cf leak they then had to removed a plug of fat from my belly to plug the hole. I now have to be careful for another three weeks as this plug could be dislodged and require more surgery.
    I was so happy they managed to remove everything via my nose such a relief on waking.....
    In six weeks time radiation will begin but still awaiting a reply on chemo ... My way if thinking is that I have had 2 cancers best doing chemo to mop up anything that might be running around my body that we don't know about....

    Wednesday 9 th may I go in for my mastectomy with reconstruction... Just recovering from first surgery ready to tackle the next,

    Thanks for asking
    Xxxxx

    One down one to go
    WOW you are super strong.. Look at you go..Ill be praying for you that time goes by fast and before you know it you will be back to your old life with a bunch of new friends..us..
    GOD BLESS
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #16
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    thesontupes said:

    One down one to go
    WOW you are super strong.. Look at you go..Ill be praying for you that time goes by fast and before you know it you will be back to your old life with a bunch of new friends..us..
    GOD BLESS

    Hey...
    Hang in there...you CAN do it! Prayers.
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #17
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    KareGiver said:

    Hey...
    Hang in there...you CAN do it! Prayers.

    good for you borisette
    CONGRATS on one down--- you are one strong woman ! Sounds like the oral cancer surgery went well. I am praying for the same outcome on your breast surgery. I cannot imagine being in your shoes. You have all my best thoughts and prayers coming your way. Keep us posted on your progress and if you need anything--come here and ask.

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