#35230 05-31-2007 04:17 PM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 44 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 44 | We spoke to doctor about the treatment options. He stated the best option is surgery 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. However he doesn't believe Rich is healthy enough for the surgery. It would involve removing most of the front of his tongue and removing lymph nodes from both sides of his neck. He would have a trach and feeding tube. With all of his other health problems Rich and I discussed it and feel its too much. We decided on comfort mesures and hospice | | |
#35231 05-31-2007 04:40 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Julie and Rich- that's a very courageous [and very tough] decision. For what it's worth, my 66+ yrs. of life experience has taught me that decisions between partners, which are made with love and honesty and genuine caring about each other, are ultimately the right ones. Please post when you need support. Amy in the OZarks
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#35232 06-01-2007 02:45 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Julie,
I have read all your posts and I am really sad that this decision has been agreed to and it's painful for me to understand it but he does have a lot of issues. I'm at a loss for words other than I hope all will go as well as possible.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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#35233 06-01-2007 02:37 PM | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 | Julie,
Just wanted to say we are all thinking of you both. Making decisions can be the hardest part of having Cancer. We all have to do what is best for our selves after we have done all the research to find the answers we need.
Take care and know you can always come here for help and support.
Diane
2004 SCC R.tip 1/4 tongue Oct. 2005 R. Neck SCC cancer/Chemo Cisplatin 2x/8wks. Rad. Removed Jugular vein, Lymph gland & some neck muscle. TX finished 1/20/06... B.Cancer 3/29/07 Finished 6/07 Bi-op 7/15/09 SCC in-situ, laser surgery removed from 1st. sight. Right jaw replacement 11/3/14. 9 yrs cancer free as of Jan. 2015
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#35234 06-02-2007 08:43 AM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 525 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 525 | Dear Julie & Rich
If we remember
All our good qualities
And all the good things
We have done,
Then we will receive
Tremendous inner strength and joy.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Petey
DX 3-21-07 L tongue,SCC Stage IV (T3N2MO) TX Slash/Burn/Poison Method.
***Rapid Aggressive Recurrence 8-4-07 with same DX/TX. Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. Never Give Up! ****UPDATE**** Our dear friend Petey passed away, RIP 9-2-07
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#35235 06-02-2007 02:34 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Julie and Rich, my thoughts and prayers go out to both of you......God Bless, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#35236 06-09-2007 09:43 AM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 27 | Dear Julie: Alan came to the same conclusions. We too are dealing one day at a time. big Hugs
Marlene | | |
#35237 06-09-2007 05:41 PM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 44 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 44 | We spoke to the doctor about comfort measures and hospice when necessary. I was really hoping he would say it was too early for hospice. He didn't. Our first visit with hospice will be Tuesday. He prescribed Vicodin 1-2 tabs every for hours for pain. Before he didn't want him taking anymore than 1 every eight hours because of his liver problems. He gave him lidocaine gel to numb his mouth and when Rich spoke about stopping smoking the doctor said "really whats the point" That was hard to take but can see his point what make himself miserable attempting to quit. It just made the end sound much closer than I was ready for. Thanks for the support and letting me vent. | | |
#35238 06-09-2007 06:39 PM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 525 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 525 | Dear Julie and Rich I am so sorry for your predicament. There are little or no words to say. I have thought about the possibility that I could get to this point one day. Everyone must draw their own conclusions and make their own decisions. I have been reading about "The Hemlock Society". If and when your situation ever reveals itself to me, I know that I will not go through any undo suffering. Praying for you. Petey Home Page http://www.FinalExit.org/dhumphry
DX 3-21-07 L tongue,SCC Stage IV (T3N2MO) TX Slash/Burn/Poison Method.
***Rapid Aggressive Recurrence 8-4-07 with same DX/TX. Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. Never Give Up! ****UPDATE**** Our dear friend Petey passed away, RIP 9-2-07
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#35239 06-09-2007 08:54 PM | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Dear Julie
reading your post makes me realise how close Rob came to being in Rich's situation.It also makes me even more certain that anyone who continues to abuse their body when they have been given a second chance to get it right,really isn't worthy of the time and money invested in them by everyone involved in their treatment.My thoughts and prayers are with you as i sit here and think there but for the grace of god go anyone of us who care for some one with this wretched disease
x
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
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