Progress is happening, oh joy....

[u/surfaholic15]

So, 16 days ago i came back. It has been a busy few weeks since. But we have PROGRESS!

I have progressed from "well this sucks rocks" to "THIS F'N SUCKS ROCKS"....

Saw my surgeon monday. He has me on top of the cancellation list and slated for surgery in about 6 weeks. Saw my gyn tuesday since all of a sudden post menopausal me has a need for panty liners and i completely freaked. Had my PET wednesday.

My new onco doc thursday morning, she is nice. Found out that YEP, this cancer is fiesty, on the move, and got a referral to radiation onco doc.

So this a.m. they called me, and i got appointment an hour later.

I like this dude. I told him there was zero reason to be delicate or rely on duckbilled platitudes with me. So he was absolutely blunt about what radiation post surgery will entail.

And, he does believe it is in the lymph nodes. But not in the bone (yet).

Meanwhile, the 2 nurse navigators are seeing about a backup referral to Huntsman in Salt Lake if something crazy happens. Frankly i most definitely do not want a new surgeon at this stage.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, a friend sent prayers and a nice super soft oversized hoodie out of the blue.

And the nurse navigator cut some red tape and got me a dental appointment about the sudden and very ridiculous tooth infection. So i got antibiotics for that at least. Nothing like having a random tooth infection show up. Both me and my radiationonco are really side eying this, because literally in less than three weeks the part ofmy lower gum that still has teeth is getting way way sketchy.

The social worker lady is meeting with me about options for getting my hair chopped and made into a wig (just in case, ya know. They are now making noises about chemo/immunotherapy along with radiation depending on what my surgeon finds).

In the middke of all this madness we had company. And the mouth is disintegrating fast enough it will be puree and liquid time again shortly.

Thank god i have lots of magic mouthwash.

[u/Big-Ad4382]

What kind of cancer do you have? I have been treated at Huntsman in Salt Lake City since last October. They have been absolutely wonderful. I have received such good care. I had chemo then radiation and I’m just now about 80 days past a stem cell transplant. I have a weird T cell lymphoma. And it looks like we have had success. I get another PET scan in a couple of weeks. If you have any questions about Hunstman or SLC just message me.

[u/surfaholic15 → u/Big-Ad4382]

Squamous, in my mouth. Last time it was a very polite non agressive cancer. This time it is not.

At least pieces of gum aren't falling out yet, but the way things are going i am expecting it any time.

I have heard great things about Huntsman actually, and our hospital here in Helena MT is partnered with them. but it will be a logistical nightmare to travel from montana. We are fixed income seniors. So if i can stay with my current surgeon and doc squad it will make life a lit easier...

Dang, you have been through the wringer!