#73673 04-25-2008 12:11 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 33 | Dear FriendsWe went to see the consultant on Wednesday 23rd April 2008 to find out the result of mum's recent MRI Scan of her neck. It was bad news. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Is there a palliative care option in your area? I understand that they can help with these issues. Possibly someone at the doctor's office can help.
Sue
Last edited by suemarie; 04-25-2008 12:38 PM.
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | kathleen, I'm so sorry the news was not good. I hope you can start looking into palliative care and maybe hospice soon. They will be able to help you, as well as your mother, with all the understandable emotions you are both going through right now. We will be here to support you in whatever way we can as well.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
| | | | | 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 | Kathleen:
Im so sorry that you got such awful news. Please at least meet with the radiation doctor, so you know if that is an option.
Christine
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: Mar 2007 Posts: 163 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 163 | Kathleen... I truly understand what you are going thru and wish with all my heart that it was not such a rotten outcome for your Mum. This is something that we all have to face eventually but are never prepared for. ItThe McMillan Nurses will be there when you need them.
Caregiver to husband (Pete) Stage IV Base of Tongue. Dx 04 2003 Chemo/Radiation no surgery.. doing great!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 163 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 163 | Kathleen, sorry I hit the wrong button , did not mean to end so abruptly. Spend as much time as you can with your Mum and tell her how much she means to you.Not everyone gets the chance to do that. She will not want you to see her upset... you are still her baby.
We will keep you in our thoughts.
Marica
Caregiver to husband (Pete) Stage IV Base of Tongue. Dx 04 2003 Chemo/Radiation no surgery.. doing great!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 14 | Hi,
I am so sorry to hear that. I wish I could give you a hug. You will never let your mom down. I am sure that she is very proud to have you by her side and always will be.
Just spend as much time with her as you can and remember that its the quality that counts. Sometimes just things don't have to be said...just felt so don't worry what exactly to say to her.. Take things by the moment share things with her that make her happy. In the end all we will have are our special memories with each other. You are in my thoughts and I will pray for you.
Kavita
Dad had scc inner cheek, mod rad diss, 24 rad, 2 chemos, 2 blood and platelet transfusions...praying that CT scan comes clear..
| | | | | 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 | Kathleen,
My recent and only experience with Hospice was very positive and the things that they handle without emotion is unbelievable. When it was obvious that my friend was not going to be cured I emotionally couldn't bear to be with her. I felt quilt, I felt helpless, I felt mad. I just didn't know what to say or do or anything. I felt more comfortable watching how Hospice conducts themselves. I guess there's just some of us that aren't equipped to do these things.
I don't have any answers you seek but I somewhat know what your going thru and I agree with you that you should spend as much time with her as you can even if it's painful because I suspect you will remember this time in a very rewarding way. Make sure they keep her as comfortable as possible until she travels on.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 27 | Kathleen,
I am so very sorry. I wish that I could say something that would help but I know there is nothing that will take away your pain. I can tell that you are very close with your mom and that is a wonderful thing. I am also very close with my mom and when I found out she was diagnosed with cancer, my world collapsed. The only advice that I can offer to you is to take one day at a time. And make those days matter. Stay strong for her. I will pray for the both of you. God bless you Kathleen.
Denise
CG to Mom. Dx 2/08. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the minor salivary gland in lower lip. Surgery 3/12/08. Margins clear but not clear enough. Surgery scheduled for 4/23/08. Surgery Successful. Clear Margins
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 33 | Thank you all so much. Your kind words, thoughts and prayers mean so much to me right now. The past few days have been awful but I do have a wonderful supportive husband and 3 lovely young children to keep me together.
I am taking your advice and spending as much quality time with my mum as I can. We booked a holiday at the beginning of the year to go an stay by the seaside in a caravan at the end of June. I just pray she will be well enough to come with us.
Thanks again.
Love
Kathleen.
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