Help with Treatment decision - 05-16-2015 06:51 PM
Hello everyone.
I'm scared.
I'm 52 and was just diagnosed a week ago with squamous cell carcinoma with the originating tumor in my tonsil area. Thought it was just a swollen thyroid gland from having a cold. Silly me. Surprise, surprise.
Having lost my father to pancreatic cancer when he was 43 and I was 8, the word, "Cancer" scared the hell out of me. My wife and I have 2 young boys who we have not told yet until we decide on which treatment we'll choose.
Next week, we're meeting with a radiologist/chemo team in LA to try and help me choose between surgery first to remove my tonsils and some extra tissue and several lymph nodes near my chin, OR just do chemo/radiation to get rid of the cancer first, and then see if that does it.
Your advice, experience, understanding and compassion would be very welcome at this time. My wife and I understand how lucky we are that the doctors tell us this is a "Treatable" and "Curable" cancer. But that doesn't stop me from being frightened. And I want to make the right choice, not out of fear, as to which road we walk.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you...
Sincerely,
Adam
I'm scared.
I'm 52 and was just diagnosed a week ago with squamous cell carcinoma with the originating tumor in my tonsil area. Thought it was just a swollen thyroid gland from having a cold. Silly me. Surprise, surprise.
Having lost my father to pancreatic cancer when he was 43 and I was 8, the word, "Cancer" scared the hell out of me. My wife and I have 2 young boys who we have not told yet until we decide on which treatment we'll choose.
Next week, we're meeting with a radiologist/chemo team in LA to try and help me choose between surgery first to remove my tonsils and some extra tissue and several lymph nodes near my chin, OR just do chemo/radiation to get rid of the cancer first, and then see if that does it.
Your advice, experience, understanding and compassion would be very welcome at this time. My wife and I understand how lucky we are that the doctors tell us this is a "Treatable" and "Curable" cancer. But that doesn't stop me from being frightened. And I want to make the right choice, not out of fear, as to which road we walk.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you...
Sincerely,
Adam