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
Mickey, I am 2 years out of treatment. I can say, I am absolutely stronger physically and spiritually than pre cancer. I know how you are feeling with all the what ifs and how to’s your mind throws at you. Take it a day at a time, follow your doctor’s and nurses instruction. Pray to the God that loves you, and let your friends and family help you.
You will get through this .
Today my husband begins radiation/chemo treatments for parotid gland cancer that had spread to a few lymph nodes in his neck as well as his auricular nerve and skeletal muscle. He tells me he has a wooden ear! (we survive stressful times with humor). Mayo and Cleveland Clinic have been unable to identify the type of cancer but we know it's high grade and very aggressive. From first symptom to surgery was 6-1/2 weeks and so much damage had been done. Mayo has done an extensive genetic panel on this thing, and we are looking forward to talking with someone who can explain them. So he has the cancer with no name but today begins treatment to kick it's butt!
Hi @bankit3, I thought I would check in. The emotional rollercoaster is a pretty normal - and understandable - reaction to hearing about a cancer diagnosis. Have you had your PET scan? How are you doing?
@michgirv, are they referring to your husband's cancer as Cancer of Unknown Primary? How is he doing on treatment? Is he getting chemo and radiation simultaneously? How are YOU doing?
They think the parotid gland is the primary site. His PET scan was clear otherwise. Yes, he is getting chemo and radiation simultaneously and doing really well. It's only been a week so we're waiting for the hammer to drop so to speak. It is stage 4 which made my heart drop. I'm a retired RN and I worked hospice. My husband worked in the lab (retired from there) that got the specimen initially. They knew cancer but further staining confused the issue more. They sent it to Cleveland Clinic and 4 weeks later it came back unspecified type. After surgery Mayo, Jax worked on it and sent it to Rochester and they came to the same conclusion. They ran a sarcoma panel on it which we'll be discussing at the next oncologist appointment. In the report there was a possibility of a familial syndrome and we're scheduled with a genomic specialist in April. We have 3 children, two had melanoma and the other squamous cell of the lip. We also have 4 grandchildren and want to know if this is a concern. As for me, doing ok but I have a severe autoimmune disease (had rheumatoid arthritis as a child) that has affected my peripheral nervous system, blood vessels and now the autonomic system is involved. I also have pulmonary arterial hypertension from autoimmune problems. Asking me how I'm doing is a loaded question! LOL. Trying to stay upright long enough to care for my husband as he has been doing for me. Right now, he's doing better than me! I apologize for the lengthy response and thank you for asking. Life is a mess but taking it one step at a time.