HI Everyone,
I have found this web site in the search for more information on oral cancer. my husband, Rick was diagnosed on June 7th with a Stage 4 SCC(tongue and bilateral neck nodes.) He will be getting 7 weeks of radiation and 2 kinds of chemo... SO here we go!!!!

Mary Ann, hello and hang on to your hat! Hope you have found the "how to get through it" topics here. They will be of invaluable help as youall get your ducks in a row [as we say in Arkansas]. Hope you will lean on us because we can help you get through this. Please ask any sort of question as you need to. As a caregiver, this site has saved my sanity [well-for the most part] Amy

Hey Mary Ann,

Rick is going to go thru lots of agrivation. Lots of questions. YOU will also, as his primary care giver.

Does he have a PEG tube?

His cancer is a lot like mine. Are you close or being treated by one of the large Ohio cancer centers?

We/I ned more info so we can help, & at least give you some support.

Steve

Mary Ann, I just finished my 39th radiation last week. I also had two kinds of chemo. I developed an allergic reaction to one and after the third treatment that drug was cancelled. I finished with Cisplatin. There's a rough time coming to you and your husband. The good news is that he has you as his support beam and you as well will need some kind of support team. It will be long but tell him to hang in there and go the distance. I am here if you need me.
God Bless . .
Edgar

JAM,STeve & Edgar: Thank you all for the nice welcome! It is so nice to have knowledgeable people to "talk to " about this...Rick was very grouchy today after his double dose of chemo today - both Cisplatin and Erbitux. Aggravation? Definitely. I can't do anything right. He ate dinner pretty well. I can see that he will probably need a PEG tube soon. He complains of mouth pain already and he doesn't start radiation Tx until next week. The mass is necrotic and he keeps coughing up chunks of tissue. That isn't good, is it??????

We started off at the University of Cincinnati's Barrett Cancer Center. His ENT surgeon is there, and that is whom we will use if & when its' time for surgery. It is about 50 minutes away, so it is not practical for the daily treatments. The hospital I work at has a nice "close to home" cancer center with a very good med onc. So We are in good hands, I feel, all around. I work long hours, so I won't be able to check in here every night....But I will keep trying. I am learining alot. Thanks again.

Mary Ann, you need to go out and buy 2 hats:
The 1st should be cute, perky and should have a little sign that reads "Guardian Angel Nurse"
The 2nd should be red, have horns and read "Nurse from Hell". You will have the opportunity to wear both of these many times in the ensueing months. {By the way, John suggested to me once that the "Guardian Angel" hat sould be complimented by some sexy undergarments [I wouldn't spend too much on those as you won't use them too much for a while]
I stand to be corrected here, but I would think coughing up necrotic tissue is a good thing- gets it out of your body- I've been wrong lots of times since we started this journey. Stay with us AND try to cut your work hours back some. You are gonna need rest and rehab for yourself. Amy

Thanks, Amy! I like the hat idea!!! : }
I will check with the Med Onc on Monday about the necrotic tissue He has been on vacation this week....Thanks for the encouragement.
Mary Ann