My Dad has just finished his treatment, he had 20 sessions of both chemo and rad. I'm finding it difficult to cope with, I thought he was on the road to recovery, but he was again admitted to hospital with pnumonia. His treatment was for squamous cell carcinoma, it started on his tounge and has spread to his left tonsil, voice box and possibly his lymph nodes. An operation was not possible because of the size of the tumor, it would be nice to have contact with others, as you feel so alone.

Sue

Sue-
Sorry about your Dad's cancer battle. I can understand how horrible you must feel seeing him go through such a horrific ordeal. My Mom had base of tongue cancer-we found on last June. Fortunatley she is cancer free now. It was a long road but it seems the worst is over. I hope that soon you will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that he starts to feel a little more human soon. Feel free to email me directly if you want to chat.
Tami

Tami-
Thanks for replying so quickly, sometimes I find it difficult to talk to the people close to me, especially my Mum. I'm trying to be strong for her. I'm so pleased to hear your Mum is now cancer free, We are trying to be positive so reading your e-mail gives us more encouragement.

many thanks
Sue

This is also my first time on the site. My Father was told that he had tongue cancer last week. Our family is taking it very had...never tried a tobacco product in his life. He goes for his biopsy on Monday and CAT scan on Tuesday.

He has a lump on his neck, so they are saying that it is in his lymph nodes. Can they tell all of this without doing a biopsy? They are also already telling him that he is an advanced stage an no surgery...chemo & radiation.

One of the many downfalls is that he is self-employed, and to save money on medical insurance, he just cancelled his medical because he can get treated at the VA Hospital in Cleveland for free. I am worried about the treatment that he will get there.

Are there any questions that we should be asking after his biopsy and CAT next week?

Veronica-
I know how scary everything seems right now but just wait and see what the ct says first. With my Mom they did not call it cancer until it was biopsied. She also had it in her lymph nodes and was considered a stage 3. She did not have surgery but had the chemoradiation and she is now cancer free. So hang in there! The biggest thing that I have learned from this experience and this site is this- if at all possible go to a comprehensive cancer center for your dad's treatment. If nothing else, at least go there for a 2nd opinion before starting treatment. It really will be worth the cost-at least no matter where he gets treated you will have the piece of mind knowing that he did get an expert opinion. I will be thinking of you
Tami

Veronica, I have read some posts on this forum from others who have been treated at VA hospitals for oral cancer and have indicated that they received very good care and treatment. I think Tami's suggestion to at least get a 2nd opinion at a comprehensive cancer center (CCC) is a good suggestion, if this is a possibility. They will fit him in quickly.

My husband had a very aggressive tumor and didn't get a chance to go for a second opinion after being diagnosed at Stage IV. However, as a follow up after he finished his chemo and radiation and surgery after that, we did go to a CCC for a second opinion regarding some additional treatment suggestions from his doctors, and they fit us in right away.

Sue and Veronica, stay strong for your dads. You will find much support and information on this forum from very caring and knowledgable people. Don't hesitate to post with any questions or thoughts. This forum has helped me significantly through my husband's journey.

Michele

Veronica,

I know the hospital I was treated at was a state university medical center and the ENT residents had rotations through the VA hospital. All of their cases are followed by their instructors, and I know people that had their oral cancer treated there successfully. Best of luck to your dad.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Hi Veronica,

The Cleveland Clinic would be a good place to go for a second opinion, however, most all VA hospitals are associated with teaching universities. They share their doctors with the universities and usually have the latest equipment. I would check on these facts in Cleveland. My wife works at the VA in Durham and it is associated with Duke. The cancer treatment at the Durham VA is the same as Duke and uses the same doctors. If this situation is the same in Cleveland, I beleive his care will be the latest that is available.

I hope his treatment goes as well as mine.

Steve Daib

Hello Sue,
Just some words of encouragement, I was diagnosed with scc of the tonsil that had spread to 1 lymph node, that was last sept. since then I have had 33 rad treatments, 3 sessions of chemo. a radical neck dissection, a peg tube for 4 months and lost about 40 lbs. I am currently in HBO treatments for ORN. I have gained all of my weight back, don't smoke any longer, walk two miles a day, feel great and am ready to start work again as a teacher. This can all be done, your dad has top get his head right and it will make this journey all the more doable. Not to say that it won't be scary, I never thought that I would get to were I am but I am and so will your dad. Be POSITIVE, it sure does help.
lenny

Thank you all for comments! I have shared everything with my family, and it is encouraging. His biopsy is at 0600 Monday morning, so we will see what hill we have to climb then! I'm sure I will be checking back with all of you. Thanks again!

Lenny
That was a very motivating post! Glad that you are getting your life back!
Tami
PS-I am in Rochester too!