Third cancer this year

Hi EG

welcome to our community but so sorry that you’ve had to find us and that you’re going through such a protracted treatment. What sort of cancer do you have? 
Personally I’m two years plus from Radiotherapy only so I can only sympathise. 
There are a few folk on here that had to have more than one go at it but are finally in remission. 
I think it comes down to trusting your team and an infinitesimal amount of hope and courage, but modern treatments give you that, perhaps? I’ve always put my entire faith in my doctors even when I didn’t in what my body was doing. 
We are all stronger than we imagine ( though strength is not really a word I like to use… we do it because the alternative is unconscionable. 
One of our community Champs chris2012 had a rough ride to cure and I’m sure he will be in soon to offer his advice 

Hang on in there and best wishes. 

Hi Beesuit

Thanks so much for reaching out. I had a left buccal pT2 N1squamous cell carcinoma in January. Then more of the same in my left cheek in July and removed in August but the biopsy suggested more cells at the margin. They are now evident as cancerous cells a month later. So the concern is surgery would now require most of my left side of my face and jaw being removed. Also it would delay radiotherapy and chemo being able to treat any more micro cells not showing on scans. It’s an awful situation but there seems many stories of people getting through multiple treatments. 

And SCC is very sensitive to RT so fingers crossed, even though you’re in a fix. Stay with us and let know how things go 

Hi EG welcome to our small community sorry you’re having such a rough time. I cant add to what Dani has already said . I am 3 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes if anyone of us can help with the radiotherapy we’re only too pleased to share our knowledge.It’s not an easy ride but if I can do it anyone can.

hugs Hazel 

thanks Dani. I will stay with you and will read your blog.

thanks

nigel

Good evening EG1, sorry to hear about the situation you are in, i had cancer three times although mine were a year apart, my first was the floor of the mouth then my lower jaw, and ended up with my voice box. Like you, i wondered if they would ever stop it thankfully it has not come back since having my voicebox (larynx) removed in 2010. I was opposite you and had to rely on operations to get rid of it as i had radio/chemo after my first operation, all i can say is dont give up hope as they will try their best to make things right. I had surgery every time so it was three years of ups and downs for me and my consultant who never gave up hope offering me the best treatment available, we got there in the end so hopefully, this will give you some hope and encouragement. If you click on my name it will take you to my profile where i have written about my encounters, please feel free to re-post if you need further advice or just a chat as we will do our best to help you, wishing you all the best, stay strong.

                                                                                 Chris 

Hi EG1

So sorry to hear about your cancer as it is hard enough having one occurrence but then having additional cancers is a hard road to travel especially all in one year.

I had cancer of the jaw in 2013 which was a squamous cell cancer and had a partial mandibulectomy followed by radiotherapy and then another jaw cancer in 2019 also a squamous cell cancer resulting in a maxillectomy and more radiotherapy but on the opposite side of my face.

At least mine was 6 years apart so I had some recovery time. The cause of my cancer (lichen planus) is still present so there may have to be more treatment over time but I don’t waste too much time worrying about that.

Put your trust in your health team as they will do an amazing job for you as mine did.

This is a tough time emotionally for you and the ups and downs will be hard. Seek some professional help if it becomes too overwhelming. I found this really helped. Macmillan has resources in this area.

Look forward to the time when your treatment will be completed and you will be looking back at this tough time as a distant memory.

I’m sending you positive thoughts and wishing you all the best.

Lyn

Hello Lyn

Thanks so much for reaching out to me. Mine also started with lichen planus. You have had a very tough time but it’s inspiring to hear you have got through it. Mine is behaving very aggressively so I might need very major surgery to take away half my jaw and face if the RT doesn’t work. It’s all so daunting right now and I really appreciate everyone’s comments here. 
Nigel

Hi Nigel

That darn lichen planus it can be a troublemaker. I was diagnosed with it in my mid 40’s and at that time asked if it could be pre- cancerous. I was told definitely not. What did he know? My current oral surgeon told me that I was probably told that as the incidence of it developing into cancer is quite rare and he probably did not want me to spend too much time worrying about something that probably was not going to happen. I was 59 before it developed. Apparently only 1-3% of patients with it have it develop into cancer. Aren’t we the lucky ones !!!  How long have you had the lichen planus?

Hang in there as hopefully the radiotherapy will solve the problem and the operation won’t be necessary.

The radiotherapy after my first operation definitely got rid of the cancer on my right lower jaw as I was given the all clear after 6 years just before my second cancer on the other side of my mouth showed up.  I am waiting to see if it has done the same for my left upper jaw but still have a few years to go before I find out.

The radiotherapy is tough but has worked out well for me so I hope it will for you too.

Wishing you all the best.

Lyn

Hi Lyn

i got diagnosed with lichen planus in 2019 although I had the white patches for a few years. I had asked my dentist a few times and eventually I got referred. It was precancerous and I had an op to remove some of it. I was then on the 3 month review, which picked up the cancer last December. Thanks for sharing your experience with me and for your encouraging words. I know radiotherapy will be tough but I can only hope it gets things under control. 
Nigel