I can not find your original message, so i might
be a bit off base here. My husband has T3 squamos cell carcinoma of the
tonsil (primary, meaning original site) and it spread to his lymph node. I
hope I can be of some help to you with some practical info. There are
others on this forum who have been cancering or partcipating longer and are more
experienced, certainly more well read than I. But I will share with you
what- ever I can.
We have known about the lump (first saw it) Nov
30. Diagnosis on Dec 1 was that it was not malignant. Pre-op surgery
biopsy done on Dec 22 indicated it was malignant (Merry Christmas), and by time
we got into MD Anderson (we live in Houston, luckily but you still need a
referral) and tested which took another 10 days, we learned it spread to his
lymph nodes. The original doctor explained these head and neck tumors are
very slow growing and do not show a tendency to spread. Well, that may be
what they say in medical textbooks, but my young husband disproved that
theory. Do not delay in having tests and deciding on a
treatment.
We are also mid way through a clinical trail
which so far has showed us amazing results that even the doctors are impressed
with. So I want to remind on you that this is not the death sentence that
it used to be-try not to be afraid. Prepare yourself for a battle-read,
read, read, ask questions here and of your doctors, join a support group.
Participation makes you feel good and begins to remove the fear and stigma we
all feel when first hearing those words. Don't whisper cancer-shout it to
the roof-tops-know thine enemy I always say!
Have no doubt, there will be good and bad
days-Wednesday we get good news, yesterday a different oncologist says don't be
too excited by it. We take every little victory as a sign that it is
working. By it I mean treatment, nutrition, meditation/prayer/mantra
whatever connects you spiritually. Everything synchronizes toward the goal
of wellness.
This has been very broad and a little
rambling. The opinions expressed here are MY OWN. The great thing
about this forum is that you will have the opinins of many. This is how we
learn. I have gotten so much from every single participant
here. You will know what is right for you. We are a diverse
group with a very strong bond. Welcome!!
Sally Tilson
PS We are at the piont in the trial where
we are at the hospital all the time so it may take me a few days to get back to
you. Please ask me any specific questions you want, and I promise to
respond.
