| | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 | I am the non live-in partner of a 70 year old male who had just entered his 5th week of tx (radiation and chemo only) for Stage 4 bot, lymph nodes, gum cancer. He became extremely disoriented and was turning purple while waiting for his 2nd tx last Tuesday, was admitted to Barnes Center for Advanced Medicine ICU, where he stopped breathing 3x and has been placed on a ventilator. He is receiving steroids to lessen the throat swelling (he has NO available opening for breathing on his own) and has been placed on two strong antibiotics for a terrible staph infection all over his face and neck, where the skin is so broken down. Oncologist says he thinks they are beating the cancer, ICU docs say his immune system is so down, that it may be weeks before he beats the staph. He'd then have to be sent home to build up again before starting tx. ICU docs ordered a CT scan (neg) to ascertain why his throat is swollen shut. They may try a spinal tap this week, because he is too unstable to place in MRI tube. Anyone out there who can give me some help (if not hope)........ At this point, we're praying for a miracle.
Last edited by pattymac; 10-05-2009 11:22 AM. Reason: typo
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 | It sounds like your partner is very seriously ill from the infection. On the positive side, he is in an intensive care unit where he should get topnotch care and monitoring. You are doing all you can being there for him, and a miracle may be what he will need to get better. That being said, miracles do happen, and I add my prayers to yours that he will exprience one. Stay strong and keep us posted.
Caregiver to husband Dx. Stage 4 SCC of gingiva with 3 nodes pos. Partial mandiblectomy with bone graft from iliac crest Dec. 2006. IMRT x30, Cisplatin x3. Completed Tx. March 15, 2007. Osteonecrosis & removal of graft & plate Oct. 2007. Recurrence of SCC Dec. 2007. Deceased Jan. 17, 2008.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 | God bless you for your wonderfully uplifting message. And, yes, miracles do happen........ Will update you as I get more news. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 209 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 209 | I am wishing for miracles to come your way and will watch for your update.
Ginny, spouse of MikeG. SSC BOT T2N1M0 Stage III, Dx 06/27/06 at age 52, Tx 07/31/06 through 09/28/06 Chemo Cisplatin & 5FU x2, Radiation x42. Cancer free and doing well.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 | Patty,
My thoughts are with you and your partner. I am so sorry that your partner has had to stop his treatment but that is the only option given that he has to first fight the staph infection before he can continue his treatment. Please know that we are thinking of you and here to support you.
Sophie T.
CG to husband: SCC Stage 4, T4, N1, M0; non-smoker and very light social drinker; HPV+
induction chemo begun 7/07; chemo/radiation ended 10/10, first cat scan clear; scan on 5/9/08 clear, scan on 10/08 clear; scan 1/09 clear; scan 1/10 clear; passed away July 2, 2016
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 | Many thanks for the supportive messages regarding my partner's staph infection. It has been so strange to be dealing with something other than the cancer, and the breathing crisis and tracheostomy has brought us too close to the realities of this disease! We are hopeful that he will pull through this immediate crisis, and even be able to get back to eating a bit before starting tx again. Again, thanks for the support - this site is simply awesome, even for a "newbie"! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 130 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 130 | Patty,
Just wanted to add my prays and positive thoughts to the others. Newbie or not we will be with you as long as you need us.
Amy
40 yr old. Stage IV SCC found left tonsil. PET/CT shows cancer on base of tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes on both sides. HPV 16 pos. 6 weeks of cisplatin, 43 days of radiation. 73gy on each side.
ND March 2, 2009
reoccurance dx'd Aug 19, 2009
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 | My partner continues to battle his staph infection (and now pneumonia), and has been quarantined in the Barnes ICU for protection. He's spent so much time there, that he's had a PEG placed (which was not what he wanted, ultimately), and is still heavily sedated. They will try removing the ventilator tube again today to see if he has any opening for breath. He has now been sedated without waking for 15 days. Hope we're making the right decisions.......
Thanks again for the much needed well-wishes and prayers! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 209 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 209 | I am so sorry that you and your partner are battling these rough challenges. Hoping he senses your presence and your support and it is giving him the inner strength to fight through this.
Hang in there Patty, I continue to pray and send best wishes your way. Thank you for the update.
Ginny, spouse of MikeG. SSC BOT T2N1M0 Stage III, Dx 06/27/06 at age 52, Tx 07/31/06 through 09/28/06 Chemo Cisplatin & 5FU x2, Radiation x42. Cancer free and doing well.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 | Patty, this has got to be so tough on you. I hope your partner is getting better. I too will continue to pray and send best wishes your way.
Shelley
Caregiver to husband Ron. Throat Cancer. Finished 35 radiation treatments on 11/21/04. 8/2/11 small lesion on lower gum, laser Procedure to remove. 3/6/12 Doc. removed another lesion on outside of his neck. Did a skin graft from his chest to replace the skin on his neck. Went to Heaven on 6/24/12.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 | Wonderful news - my partner has beaten his staph infection, is finally breathing again without the respirator, and is continuing to recover from the pneumonia in a rehab center. He has lost a great deal of weight and muscle tone because he was sedated for almost three weeks, and is still dependent on the PEG, although it may be removed this week. The plan now is to recover strength and stamina over the next month or so, to eventually complete the rest of his radiation tx. So, yes, miracles do happen - thanks again for all the support along the way! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 | I'm so happy about your news!
Sophie T.
CG to husband: SCC Stage 4, T4, N1, M0; non-smoker and very light social drinker; HPV+
induction chemo begun 7/07; chemo/radiation ended 10/10, first cat scan clear; scan on 5/9/08 clear, scan on 10/08 clear; scan 1/09 clear; scan 1/10 clear; passed away July 2, 2016
| | | | | 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 |
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: Oct 2006 Posts: 209 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 209 | That is wonderful news!
Ginny
Ginny, spouse of MikeG. SSC BOT T2N1M0 Stage III, Dx 06/27/06 at age 52, Tx 07/31/06 through 09/28/06 Chemo Cisplatin & 5FU x2, Radiation x42. Cancer free and doing well.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 | Great news Pattymac. May his improvement continue. Re the PEG tube, it may be prudent to keep it even if not using it until he finishes treatment as it could be needed eventually. It certainly is a lifesaver when not able to swallow enough nutrition to sustain oneself during and after treatment. Make certain he understands that before making the decision to take it out. Let him know we are all cheering him on in his recovery.
Caregiver to husband Dx. Stage 4 SCC of gingiva with 3 nodes pos. Partial mandiblectomy with bone graft from iliac crest Dec. 2006. IMRT x30, Cisplatin x3. Completed Tx. March 15, 2007. Osteonecrosis & removal of graft & plate Oct. 2007. Recurrence of SCC Dec. 2007. Deceased Jan. 17, 2008.
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