I just found out last week my brother has cancer in the neck, tonsil area and back of the mouth. The doctor said it was from years of heavy drinking and smoking. He lives 500 miles south of me and I have been trying to be there for all his appointments. I will be going back next Wednesday because Thursday the Doctor is going to give him the results from a biopsie and catscan of chest (Already had one of head and neck). I don't know what to expect or what he will be going through or how painful this type of cancer is? His neck has swelled up and is applying pressure on his eardrum. The doctor said that this has been growing for 10 to 15 years and a couple of months before keymo isn't going to matter much.. He wrote him a scrip for pain, set up an appt. to a cancer doctor and scheduled a catscan for his chest. The doctor said with treatment he has a 40% chance to live 4 or 5 years and that the cancer probably won't be the cuase of his passing that something else will shut down. I don't know what to do, expect? He has no money, no insurance and pretty much has been a street person for the last 25 years. I tried looking up his SSN and it is nolonger on file. Can someone please tell me what to do?

I am sorry to hear about your brother and his situation. Does he have any sort of social worker or case manager associated with his care? Can his doctor refer you to one at whatever his location is? He probably should be eligible for Medicaid and SSI from Social Security and they ought to be able to help you apply for the benefits with him.

My husband had cancer of the base of the tongue and it was very painful, but it was also a small lesion and considered treatable and curable. He went through 6 weeks of radiation only, no chemo, and is doing all right, not great now. However, it is a long, slow recovery process and I am still doing a lot more things around our house and in caring for him than I used to do and he finished his radiation on 12/5/06. I also work full time.

Ask the doctor about what stage the cancer is at

I am sorry to hear about your brother, hopefully you will be able to get some answers you are looking for on this site. I def would try socail services and meidcaid I know in NY you qualift with a cancer diagnosis, even though my husband is the only one working with a decent income, we could still qualify with a spend down. So I am not sure on other states but I would try to find out. Do you think he would consisder relocating ? Is that even possible ? He wil need all the help and support he can get to get through this, and he is lucky to have you there. One thing I learned is to make a list if questions to take to Drs so i wouldnt forget or become so overwhelmed. Def find out the stage and all treatment options. And mention insurance issue to dr to , sometimes they will have an idea about how to help , as far as SS # not being around I have a cousin who works for Social Security and I can ask her tomorrow what she suggest he do about that and I can get back to you . YOu can always email me to and maybe I can even get you in direct contact with her . Hang in there one day and one thing at a time that is the only way to even try to get through this.

Was your brother ever in the service? Would he be able to be seen in a Veteran's Hospital?