Two Weeks More Wait For Treatment

I am 45 and have been diagnosed w/ tonsil cancer, with 3 affected nodes on same side and 1 on opposite side.

I am feeling very anxious about getting started because i was diagnosed on 4-17-08. it has been staged yesterday as a IV. I will be treated with chemo and radiation starting 5-12-08.

Has anyone out there had this much time between diagnosis and treatment?

Is there HOPE!

truly anybodies, billy 

On 4/29/2008 youngwm wrote:

I am 45 and have been diagnosed w/ tonsil cancer, with 3 affected nodes on same side and 1 on opposite side.

I am feeling very anxious about getting started because i was diagnosed on 4-17-08. it has been staged yesterday as a IV. I will be treated with chemo and radiation starting 5-12-08.

Has anyone out there had this much time between diagnosis and treatment?

Is there HOPE!

truly anybodies, billy 

Billy, I understand your anxiety of waiting. My docs do not seem to concerned about our "Slow Boat".   My husband first noticed the node and went to the doc the next day on Feb. 22. After antibiotics, negative biopsy, CT Scans, two weeks to schedule tonsillectomy, then consults with oncologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist we were to start chemo on  April 21st( 8 weeks!!). Then ---divine intervention---a second opinion--saw a new doc out of state. This doc is a head and neck specialist and is fine with us waiting another two weeks to start treatment(we will be moving to Fla. for treatment and needed to get time to get everything in order) I was not happy about my husband delaying another week but the docs aid it was OK.  So here we are 10 weeks out--scary, but they say it's OK. My husband is stage 3--second lymph node biopsy was positive.

Hope this helps,

DeniseB

Billy,

My pathology report was done on November 27, 2007. On December 4th MD Anderson had the game plan laid out w/ radiation beginning on January 3rd. I asked about waiting that long and they said it wouldn't make any difference. I know you are anxious as I was. But it's ok to wait a few weeks. You have a rough road ahead, but you'll get through it. Enjoy these 4 weeks and try not to think about it.

Good luck and God bless.

Rick

On 4/29/2008 youngwm wrote:

I am 45 and have been diagnosed w/ tonsil cancer, with 3 affected nodes on same side and 1 on opposite side.

I am feeling very anxious about getting started because i was diagnosed on 4-17-08. it has been staged yesterday as a IV. I will be treated with chemo and radiation starting 5-12-08.

Has anyone out there had this much time between diagnosis and treatment?

Is there HOPE!

truly anybodies, billy 

My treatment took about a month to start after finding base of tongue cancer.  We all know waiting is very hard, but as you can tell from the other posts that is about the typical timeframe. Once you start treatments you might not feel great but at least you will know that you are heading in the right direction . 

While you wait read EVERY post, you will find out so much  and get great help from people going through the same thing.  This is a wonderful forum.

Best of you, D.

seems there is a common thread of a wait between diagnosis and treatment.  my S.O. was diagnosed mid-October and didnt start treatment until the day after Thanksgiving...took that long to get a second opinion and deal with health coverage out of state.

it was a frustrating wait...he too is stage IV...we seemed more concerned about the time lapse than the doctors. 

~meesh

On 4/29/2008 D1211 wrote:

 

On 4/29/2008 youngwm wrote:

I am 45 and have been diagnosed w/ tonsil cancer, with 3 affected nodes on same side and 1 on opposite side.

I am feeling very anxious about getting started because i was diagnosed on 4-17-08. it has been staged yesterday as a IV. I will be treated with chemo and radiation starting 5-12-08.

Has anyone out there had this much time between diagnosis and treatment?

Is there HOPE!

truly anybodies, billy 

DMy treatment took about a month to start after finding base of tongue cancer.  We all know waiting is very hard, but as you can tell from the other posts that is about the typical timeframe. Once you start treatments you might not feel great but at least you will know that you are heading in the right direction . 

While you wait read EVERY post, you will find out so much  and get great help from people going through the same thing.  This is a wonderful forum.

Best of you, D.

Thanks D I'm a fighter and am going to need help it is much appreciated, Hope all is well w/ u I'm praying for you now.

wm

Thanks Rick I'm strong and i will make it. I've heard the pain in the throat stories but will have a peg put in 5-6-08. I'll take you're advise and enjoy. i'm praying for you.

wm

Thanks DeniseB,

Yes this all helps and to know you're not alone is a comfort and your reply is appreciated. Keep fight we'll win.

thank and im praying for you husband now

wm

Billy,

Hang in there and you too will be on my prayer list. What is the course of your treatment plan--chemo, radiation, surgery?? Just comparing notes!

DeniseB