Gloria, you are right in stating not everyone wants to know.
I must say the 'chemo guy' was most accommodating and painted the picture of treatment in very nice colours to my husband and was upfront with everything.
He's already asked about quitting when things go tough or not undergoing treatment. The oncologist made sure that he understood what is lying ahead of him but it seems it's all going above his head.

Unfortunately, none of my children have a driver's licence as yet but the oldest is working hard to get it asap in order to assist with appointments.

I have just learnt about the my rights to get informed about my husband's treatment and progress. As some communication was done via mobile phone calls to my husband only I was totally left out. And his inability to retain all of the information made things worse.

His treatment will be at two different hospitals. One for chemo, the other for radiation and for surgical needs again at another one. So far I've been given one appt that is for radiation stating I'd be told the others on the day. What a joke. And this is through private health cover and not public.
Thinking we'll get better care.

I have been trying to get a psychiatrist working together with the specialists at the hospital and the doctor who's supposed to have done something about it , hasn't. It's so frustrating.

The Radiologist decided against a PEG given that only one side of the neck requires radiation. I stressed about the problems we've encountered post surgery but he said it can always be fitted 3 weeks within the treatment if need be.
He thought if my husband starts off with one he will get lazy about trying to swallow and recovery will be worse, I.e. He'll be dependant on it.

Thank you for your kind thoughts and help. It feels as if I'm turning in circles and don't get heard.




Heike

Working caregiver of my husband (51) Simon

03/2014 oropharyngeal cancer, stage IVB, T2N3M0, HPV 16 +
04/2014 Neck dissection - 39 lymph nodes removed, one node positive greater than 6cm, tumour in tonsil reaching into soft palette
28/04/14 begin of treatment
33 x RADS 66 Gy, 33 x chemo cisplatin 13mg each
29/04/14. pick two lines
12/06/14 finished treatment
09/ 14 Pet scan clear