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Alan51
Alan51 Member Posts: 3
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I have been following this forum for over a month as I was diagnosed with oral cancer of the tongue in January of this year.  I had surgery in March of this year which included a neck dissection and a portion of my tongue rebuilt.  The pathology report two weeks later showed the margins clear and as the cancer was caught early and no lymph nodes infected but many were removed, no radiation or chemo was recommended.  All that changed this week when a C Scan was done and a spot in the same location after the surgeon did a biopsy in the officed showed suspicious.  All this has been done at a major cancer institution here in Florida so my confidence level has been high going into this fight that I can beat this monster.  Now a second surgery has been scheduled in two weeks to remove this gumball size suspicious matter which i assume is cancer to be removed.  Also, I have been advised I will get radiation treatment after this surgery is healed.  I see many warriors on this forum have had a second and even third go around with this beast which still gives me hope that I will be able to come out cancer free.  My cancer is definitely smoking related for many years which I did quit after hearing the words in January, you have cancer.  Although I feel mentally beat up the past few days I know I have to be strong to get through this fight.  Many of the long time posters on this sight who have been fighting this battle are an inspiration for not throwing the towel in and do help the newbies who come to this sight looking for insight in coping with this new normal.      

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
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    welcome

    Alan,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are here.

    So, you had been confirmed scc, then confirmed clear, then confirmed scc.  You have seen the highs and lows.  I assume that they have really confirmed all this analysis with a biopsy of the questionable area and they are coming up with a treatment plan?

    Treatment is all doable; many of us have made it.  Side effects can be rough, but if you’re willing and able there are steps you can take which help.

    Listen to your team, take nausea meds early, stay hydrated and nourished, take your pain meds as  needed, have a nice recliner, pick out some favorite music (for rads), drink water and swallow often, stay positive and pet a cat or dog daily.

    You will do great, no reason to think otherwise.

    Matt

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #3
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    try again

    Alan,

    I think your thread got lost.

    Matt

  • Alan51
    Alan51 Member Posts: 3
    #4
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    pet scan

    How does a thread get lost but you responded and thanks as I did order a recliner from Rooms to Go but already have a black lab to pet.  Pet Scan today found cancer in two more places other than on my tongue for a second time.  My chin and cheek area have nodules of cancer which Moffett will remove surgically in a week.  Also, meet the radiology doctor on Monday as once healed I begin that phase.  If I need to post again, let me know.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #5
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    Alan51 said:

    pet scan

    How does a thread get lost but you responded and thanks as I did order a recliner from Rooms to Go but already have a black lab to pet.  Pet Scan today found cancer in two more places other than on my tongue for a second time.  My chin and cheek area have nodules of cancer which Moffett will remove surgically in a week.  Also, meet the radiology doctor on Monday as once healed I begin that phase.  If I need to post again, let me know.

    getting ready

    Alan,

    I did not mean your post got physically lost, I just meant it was missed by other H&N memebers.  It just happens.

    The recliner and the Black Lab are two pluses in the “get ready” category. A PET scan will often light-up to more activity, be glad they found it, you want to treat ALL of it.

    Feel free to post as much as you like.  Most of the time there are members ready to help with ideas on side effects, pain, nausea, mental health, caregivers, etc.

    Matt

  • crbburc04
    crbburc04 Member Posts: 3
    #6
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    ears hurt

    my ears hurt off and on every day. i just seen my ent and he claims it is because of the radiation

  • crbburc04
    crbburc04 Member Posts: 3
    #7
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    crbburc04 said:

    ears hurt

    my ears hurt off and on every day. i just seen my ent and he claims it is because of the radiation

    can some one help me with

    can some one help me with this?

  • tbret
    tbret Member Posts: 71 Member
    edited July 2017 #8
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    crbburc04 said:

    can some one help me with

    can some one help me with this?

    What my ENT told me

    crbburc04,

    I am sorry your ears hurt.  You would probably get more and better responses if you started a new topic on your ear pain.

    All I know, and it isn't much, is my ENT keeps asking me if I am having ear pain.  I had one little episode that went away by itself.  But I asked him why he kept asking and he told me he was checking for "referred pain" from either of two nerves in the neck.

    I had all kinds of weird sensations and minor pains and problems toward the end and not long after radiation was over.  I think some of it was really the delayed effects of the chemotherapy.

    But **obviously** you should ask your doctor about this.  I was only telling you that maybe it isn't unexpected since my doctor just kept asking me about it even when I had not complained of it at all.

     

  • tmchale
    tmchale Member Posts: 6
    #9
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    tbret said:

    What my ENT told me

    crbburc04,

    I am sorry your ears hurt.  You would probably get more and better responses if you started a new topic on your ear pain.

    All I know, and it isn't much, is my ENT keeps asking me if I am having ear pain.  I had one little episode that went away by itself.  But I asked him why he kept asking and he told me he was checking for "referred pain" from either of two nerves in the neck.

    I had all kinds of weird sensations and minor pains and problems toward the end and not long after radiation was over.  I think some of it was really the delayed effects of the chemotherapy.

    But **obviously** you should ask your doctor about this.  I was only telling you that maybe it isn't unexpected since my doctor just kept asking me about it even when I had not complained of it at all.

     

    My husband also had ear pain

    My husband also had ear pain or at times he said it was like a ringing in his ears. He tried soft ear plugs and that seemed to help. 

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