Connect
Meet others living with Head & Neck Cancer: Introduce yourself
Welcome to the Head and Neck Cancer group.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet other people who are living with head and neck cancer. Let’s learn from each other and share experiences from diagnosis through treatment and coping with symptoms and recovery challenges.
As you know, head and neck cancer is the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin in the head and neck region. This include oropharyngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, lip and oral cavity cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer, salivary gland cancer, squamous cell neck cancer or ameloblastoma.
Let’s get to know one another. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of cancer have you been diagnosed with?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.
Connect
The mohs group called me today 7/23 and said that the lesion was too big for Mohs. So they finally responded - it seems they could have told us that at the time of the biopsy - now 6 weeks ago! We had a consultation with a plastic surgeon who referred us to a different Oncologist who incidentally happens to be my brothers oncologist. They told us the surgery would be this week sometime or next with the oncologist one day and reconstruction (skin grafts likely) the very next day. That's what we've been told but we don't have an appointment yet. But at least the plastic surgeon who shares a secretary with the oncologist calls us back and keeps us informed!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi Colleen,
The original Mohs group called me this morning and told me that the lesion was too big for Mohs. Luckily they had referred us to a plastic surgeon which I thought was odd but I set up an appointment with him for 7/15. We found that his office works closely with a different oncologist - so they are working together to try to arrange the surgery. The plastic surgeons office told us last week that the surgery would be this week (7/22-7/26) or the week after. So...we seem to be getting closer but she still doesn't have an appointment. She's doing great - she's an amazing upbeat person who is now more focused on the upcoming football season than she is on cancer. My brother and I are the ones who are stressed! Mom is 93 and this was her working in her garden in April.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThat's good news as far as progress in the right direction. Someone really dropped the ball between biopsy and deciding the lesion was too big for Mohs. At least you have good communication now.
Your mom is amazing! You need that kind of positive attitude when you tackle cancer. I hope all goes as planned and surgery is very successful.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have had surgery for squamous cell carcinoma in a neck lymph node and had surgery to remove 33 lymph nodes of which 4 contained cancer
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi @weedman and welcome to the Head and Neck Cancer group. 33 filters removed. I often wonder why. Anyway, have you had any follow-up such as radiation, chemo, oral drugs or a combination of these? Is this recent? We are all patients here and can help you with questions you might have.
It looks like I am heading to radiation. My surgery was on July 11th.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsGood luck to you Weedman. Myself I had surgeryy on May 23. Mandible fibula free flap reconstruction. Have a total of 25 radiation sessions and only 5 left. Also had 30 lymph nodes removed. Hope all goes well for you.
She still doesn't have a surgery appointment. Now she has a consult on the 13th of this month with the oncologist. So the surgery did not happen in the last two weeks. Her biopsy was June 21st. She has Stage IIC melanoma on her scalp. Everything I've read indicates emergency surgery...and here it is six weeks after the biopsy and no surgery date. It's heartbreaking.
That truly is heartbreaking lauralb. We all want the best of medical care for ourselves and family and it feels like there has been way too much delay for your mom. I would continue to ask questions and request information about timing of surgery. I wonder though if the size of her lesion is making doctors want to try shrinking it with some medical treatment prior to surgery so that her healing would be easier? Perhaps her age has something to do with their treatment plans. I hope you find that next week's visit brings the answers you need and swift progress to treatment. Do you have a major medical center nearby as a backup option if this appointment does not give you the results you need?
Ben,
I 🙏 that your surgery was successful. You have been through so much. Were you able to complete your medical training? Are you a practicing physician now? If so I have no doubt you have acquired skills of compassionate and caring that few young doctors can offer. My ❤️ goes out to you and I am hoping you will share a follow-up to this entry.