Ashley: This may be the most important decision you and your family ever have to make, as you already know.
Read the signature line at the end of this post, and you will see that my husband is 4 months post treatment, Stage IV-A SCC, with one lymph node positive.
Why not hit it with everything your team has to offer....get this behind you so that you can go on with your lives... raising your family....
We're all behind you, no matter what decision you make...

Lois & Buzz in NC

Ashley,

Have him call me toll-free at 877-869-0998 if any questions or if just wants information. I would certainly go for the radiation. I look at it like in rare situations the wearing of seatbelts can be bad if you are trapped in an accident but the benefit of wearing them more than outweigh the possible downside to where it should be an easy decision.

Bill D.

I was lecturing at a cancer conference earlier. One of the speakers with me was Kian Ang the head of radiation oncology at MDACC and my doctor when I went through there 10 years ago. I had 72 grays of radiation... they don't give you any more than that. I've had a bunch of side effects I won't list them all there right now, but they are the usual things that everyone here complains about. I also know that around year ten people that have had my dose of radiation can develop osteosarcomas in their mandibles (about 3% of all patients). an was whining to him about some of my issues from all my grays, and he said to me; "Brian, is sit lost on your that you have to be alive to have the complications that you are having...."

I think that puts it in perspective. Nothing in treatment is without risk. And today the bulk of patients go through with far less radiation than I. If you are not going to do things because of what might happen, you might as well stay off of the freeways too. I know that sounds harsh, but you have to (like I did not) keep all this in perspective. Incomplete primary treatments I believe, are a high cause of recurrences, which once they happen, you may not get out of easily, regardless the tools the medical profession has in it's bag.

Ashley,
I wish you could hear me shout... you only get one chance at beating this monster. Hit it with everything known to man, you can handle anything on the way to a cure.

Take Care
Marica

Thank you all...forgot to bookmark the site and now finally found it. So moved to read all your responses. Tom is just finishing his second week of radiation at DF...he ended up in the hosp this week after the surgery to place feeding tube...spiked a fever and was experiencing extreme pain at the site. He came home yesterday and is still in a huge amount of pain. Our boys 9 & 12 are having a hard time seeing their Papa suffer so. Another treatment today and then he can rest for the weekend. 5 more weeks to go. His mouth sores are intensely painful as well. He asked that I ask you all if there were any suggestions for easing this pain besides everything that they are giving him for the pain. I am going to look into the acupuncture treatments and he is already receiving reiki. I feel so helpless when faced with his pain and we have so much further to go. Thank goodness for our community and family and for all of you...ash

Ashley- My husband had pain after the PEG was placed but in went away after a few days. What kind of medication does he take? Maybe take to the doctors about a mouthwash to help with the sores. Hang in there, Sue

Ashley,

What is he taking for the pain? Is he using any type of mouthwash for the pain in his mouth? I was on a Fentanyl patch for the pain and took Oxycodone for the break through Pain throughout the day. I was also prescibed a mouth wash that eased the pain in my mouth. I forget what the mouthwash was called and made up of, but someone on this forum can help out. Also, with the pain med he is going to want to take a stool softener to avoid constipation. I used the Walmart brand.

With the peg tube and feedings, has your doctor or nutritionist given any guidelines on how many calories he is to have per day? I was instructed to take in a minimum of 2,700 calories a day, and so took in through my peg tube 3 times a day 2 cans of carnation instant breakfast VHC drink at 560 calories per can. Nutrition is VERY important to the healing and recovery process. My nutritionist ordered the carnation IB VHC and so it was paid for by my insurance. She also ordered extra wider tubes for the drip bag so it flowed in more easily.

Ashley:

When the PEg tube is first put in its very sore for a few days. It will get better within a week of the surgery.

As far as pain meds go, I had the fentanyl patch. It worked great at releiving my pain. Ask the doctors about magic mouthwash to help soothe the sores in your husbands mouth.