| | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 | hello again: well once again my father's cancer has returned this time bringing more issues! apparently, this tumor is close to the carotid artery so they want to keep his appts for radiation BUT go in and put stent in! it scares me that after 2 years of battling this horrible disease that my father is not strong enough physically.. he is currently on Erbitux weekly and will continue this once radiation treatments start on the 29th.. as always HIS spirits are great and he is not worried but i am :-( any feedback would be great! thanks! xoxo nicki
Dad-55 yrs..2/2010-DX/March 2010-Induction Chemo/35Rads 7weeks concurrent with chemo once every 3weeks/6/2010-Treatments completed-October 2010-Recurrence/December 2010-salvage surgery/clear Margins/July 2011-recurrence/weekly Erbitux treatments-5/30/12, last erbitux..
Painfree and rested 6/19/12
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | HI there! It sounds like they are having trouble getting out in front of this. I totally understand your fear, but as long as his spirits are good then do what you can to support him, and share your fears here. Many have felt the same. Are you at a CCC - if not get to one. There are a few here who've battled this three times and still walked away so try not to freak. You are doing what you can. good luck!
Last edited by Cheryld; 02-21-2012 09:30 AM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 | hi cheryl:
my dad has been with a great team of doctors at rush university medical center here in chicago.. unfortunately, we do not have him at a CCC but so far i am pretty comfortable with his doctors.. we will get a CCC actually right down the street from us in the spring.. i look at that time it would be worth trransferring my dads medical records..
i will definitely be here with my fears and not show dad how concerned i am, although he knows me and knows im tossing and turning all night! haha.. thank you again!
nicki
Dad-55 yrs..2/2010-DX/March 2010-Induction Chemo/35Rads 7weeks concurrent with chemo once every 3weeks/6/2010-Treatments completed-October 2010-Recurrence/December 2010-salvage surgery/clear Margins/July 2011-recurrence/weekly Erbitux treatments-5/30/12, last erbitux..
Painfree and rested 6/19/12
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Hi, nicki
this has been going on for a long time - you must be kind of warn out by now. The stent sounds like a good plan - will that be installed before the radiation?
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 | hi maria,
it does sound like they will do the stent before radiation.. i guess the stent is to make the carotid artery stronger because the tumor that will be radiated is close to it and they dont want the artery shutting down.. yes, it has been going on for a long time.. my dad is very strong willed.. but how much can one person physically take? :-(
Dad-55 yrs..2/2010-DX/March 2010-Induction Chemo/35Rads 7weeks concurrent with chemo once every 3weeks/6/2010-Treatments completed-October 2010-Recurrence/December 2010-salvage surgery/clear Margins/July 2011-recurrence/weekly Erbitux treatments-5/30/12, last erbitux..
Painfree and rested 6/19/12
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | A young friend who was in a horrific car accident - broadsided by a lumber truck - had a stent implanted to control damage without having to do open heart procedures (and break MORE bones in the process). It may well have saved his life. I hope your dad's goes just as smoothly - they've really gotten good at inserting those things.
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | It's amazing how strong and resilient the human body can be! Saying prayers your dad gets hough everything ok - hugs!
Last edited by Cheryld; 02-21-2012 07:59 PM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Oh Nicki! I am so sorry to read your posts. I saw you online and just had a bad feeling that your dad was struggling again. Your poor father! I have done this 3 times which was far from an easy thing, but I did it. I would look for posts from Charm who has done rads twice. The stent sounds like its an excellent plan. Im glad to hear his team is on top of things.
The most important thing you can do is to encourage him and support whatever decisions he makes. Make sure his nutrition is what it should be too. He must be getting high protein to help his body to heal and its back to the minimum 48oz water and 2500+ calories. Pay close attention to his weight and if he is looking frail to up the nutritional intake. This is going to play an even bigger role than before in his fight.
Dont forget to make time for yourself. Caregivers can get into the cycle of running around for others all the time and never stopping to catch a breath for themselves. Dont allow yourself to become worn out. Every single day take some time to relax. If your weather is warm, take a short walk around the block to clear your head. Stick around, you know we are here for you!
Best wishes to both of you!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 | hi christine, dad did have 4 stents put in last tuesday and they just released him on friday.. during his stay, he was able to get in his first two BIG doses of radiation.. today was day 3, wed 4, and friday will be dose 5 plus his Erbitux.. i will say that dad is quite exhausted but will continue to fight! i told please not to push and push for us, we know he is a fighter.. he is already my hero.. but he says as long as he has an option he will take it.. god love him! thank you so much again, i will be in touch.. oh and the rads will be 6 large doses, not the 6 weeks of 5 days a week..
Dad-55 yrs..2/2010-DX/March 2010-Induction Chemo/35Rads 7weeks concurrent with chemo once every 3weeks/6/2010-Treatments completed-October 2010-Recurrence/December 2010-salvage surgery/clear Margins/July 2011-recurrence/weekly Erbitux treatments-5/30/12, last erbitux..
Painfree and rested 6/19/12
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Hi Nicki! Thanks for the update.
Your dad is one heck of a fighter! You know the drill with the good nutrition, calories and hydration. Keep on top of those and it should make things easier on him.
I wish you both the very best with everything! Please keep in touch.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | God luck nicki..
And god bless your dad he's got hootspa!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 17 Member | | Member
Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 17 | Remember peanut butter was created by a doctor trying to get protein into his patiences keep a jar around with a spoon two tablespoons is 8 grams worth most men like the peanut butter, good luck eating becomes the hardest part sometimes
Diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma surgery 2/24/12,primary tumor pT1 regional lymph node pN1 total number of nodes removed 13 with 1 positive age 53 occasional cigar smoker quit social drinker workout nut.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 128 | hello, thank you all for your kind words of encouragement! dad finished his last dose of radiation today, they gave him 6 large doses.. the tumor is dissolving.. hopefully this will relieve him of some of this pain that he has been experiencing.. he will continue to do Erbitux once a week.. he is truly a fighter.. he hit his two year mark february of this year, hey maybe it wasnt the easiest two years but he will take it and so will we! i will keep you all posted with updates.. thank you all.. i would not have been able to do it without this website.. you all are truly amazing and in my eyes, heros.. xoxo nicki
Dad-55 yrs..2/2010-DX/March 2010-Induction Chemo/35Rads 7weeks concurrent with chemo once every 3weeks/6/2010-Treatments completed-October 2010-Recurrence/December 2010-salvage surgery/clear Margins/July 2011-recurrence/weekly Erbitux treatments-5/30/12, last erbitux..
Painfree and rested 6/19/12
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 | You are a hero too!! He is very lucky to have you!!
Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14
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