| Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 | I am caregiver along with my sister and aunt to my wonderful Dad. Posted 2 weeks ago under New Here. With heavy heart I have to report the SCC is back mets to skull and bilateral lymph nodes of neck and below sternum. Surgeon suggested pallative care and hospice . oncologists started tx of rad and chemo. My dad has deteriorated so rapidly. PAIN SPEECH SWALLOWING It is devastating to him and all of us and horrible nerve pain as it attacks the cranial nerves and larger tumor is surrounding the carotid artery. Anyone with experience with this out there? Does the rad and chemo reduce the pain? We wanted him to accept and move in the direction of hospice for comfort and peace but he has fight still left. Despite all the pain. Also, this is hard to ask but what can we expect at the end? I understand the nature of that question i can be reached by private e-mail let me know. ....just want him to go to heaven peacefully . Want to be prepared. THX in advance-Netsky
Last edited by Netsky; 04-22-2010 07:49 PM.
Caregiver to Dad. 8/09 Stg 3 SCC of buccal mucosa. T2N1M0 extracap spread Surgery/RX complete 12/09 Reoccurrence 4/10 Stage 4 Mets to bilateral nodes & base of skull 40 rx & 2 rounds cisplatin Hospice 7/29/10 .....died holding my hand 8/4/10 No smoke/No smokeless tobacco
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I am so very sorry to hear of what your Dad is going through. Hopefully someone here has some experience in dealing with that level of pain. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | It is irresponsible for his doctors to allow him to be in such pain. This is completely unnecessary and unacceptable. You need to get them on the phone and call them on the carpet. You have to be the advocate here and get what he needs to bring this under control . The ability to do so exists.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | | | 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 | Where are they radiating?
I agree with Brian, get the pain meds that take him out of it.
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: Jan 2009 Posts: 476 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 476 | Sending you a private message.
Wanda (47) caregiver to husband John (56) age at diag.(2009) 1-13-09 diagnosed Stage IV BOT SCC (HPV+) 2-12-09 PEG placed, 7-6-09 removed Cisplatin 7 weeks, 7 weeks (35) IMRT 4-15-09 - treatment completed 8-09,12-09-CT Scans clear, 4-10,6-11-PET Scans clear 4-2013 - HBO (30 dives) tooth extraction 10-2019 - tooth extraction, HBO (10 dives) 11-2019 - Left lateral tongue SCC - Stage 2
| | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 | Thank you all for imput sand advice, He is on percosset and Xanex also decadron to reduce swelling. But this barely takes the edge off. He hates that it makes him doped up and by his own doing doesn't take what is actually allowed wants to be in control and he is losing control if that makes sense. They switched to LORTAB yesterday. David they radiating the large tumor that is wrapped around the carotid artery, the 3 nodes on the neck and below sternum. Said it is a shot to get him more comforatable. Meanwhile his voice is disappearing-I am worried that he won't be able to communicate esp with brain involved- and now speech I've had other family members die from cancer but never seen an end like this-F%^&$&* horrible. That's why i would like him to do hospice -we did it for my mom and she went peacefully surrounding by loved ones.
Caregiver to Dad. 8/09 Stg 3 SCC of buccal mucosa. T2N1M0 extracap spread Surgery/RX complete 12/09 Reoccurrence 4/10 Stage 4 Mets to bilateral nodes & base of skull 40 rx & 2 rounds cisplatin Hospice 7/29/10 .....died holding my hand 8/4/10 No smoke/No smokeless tobacco
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | There are patches for pain, too. Keep calling if your Dad does not get relief on Lortab. Sending you hugs and good thoughts. Keep posting. We wan't to know how you are doing, too.
Anita
Anita (68) CG to husband, Clark, 79, DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08, HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft. Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear, PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14 Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22 PEG 7/21 Botox injections
| | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | I am sorry you are going through this. I will pray for you and your family.
Angelia 31 at Dx. DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth, T1NOMO, T2N1M0 TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09 PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement PEG/PORT: 11/09 TX end: 02/01/10 PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear PEG Out: 06/21/10 Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 148 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 148 Likes: 1 | So sorry for your Dad & all the family. My aunt was put on constant morphine to be pain free. She only responded to music, you could tell she was hearing it. I hate to see your dad go through radiation, he is a real fighter. I just lost my Dad on 2/15/10. So all I can say is spend every possible moment with him. He will always know you are there & you will come to treasure these moments. Again, so sorry for what you all are going through.
BOT T3N2M0 No surgery, 38radiation treatments,4 chemo rounds, peg removed 11/08, still have a port. Treatments ended 6/20/08. So far, so Good ! "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much !"
*** Admin update --- Dianne has passed away on August 25, 2015 ***
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | Sorry for your Dad, find a second Doctor and get him help with his pain!!! Semper-Fi Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 | Dianne- I just read your reply-Do you live in Rochester? I am up here taking care of my dad he is West Irondequoit. I live in Mississippi but grew up in West irondequoit. We have a good schedule worked out between my sister and my aunt in Boston my dad will never be alone. He is also doing Cisplatin 2x a wk every 3 weeks. He hasn't had a peg but failed the swallow test and now very worried about lung aspirations. Anyhow- i am spending lots of time up here.
Caregiver to Dad. 8/09 Stg 3 SCC of buccal mucosa. T2N1M0 extracap spread Surgery/RX complete 12/09 Reoccurrence 4/10 Stage 4 Mets to bilateral nodes & base of skull 40 rx & 2 rounds cisplatin Hospice 7/29/10 .....died holding my hand 8/4/10 No smoke/No smokeless tobacco
| | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 | Loratab isn't strong enough.... he needs to be on a long term pain regimen, like a fentanyl patch as well as a short quick action pain regimen like MS Contin or similar. Have a word with the doctors and get his pain under control, it's not acceptable for him to be going through pain.
Dx 3/27/09 @ 28 years old with High Grade MEC T4N2M0 Elizabeth, 33, mother of 3 girls (4,7, &8yrs old) 3 rds of chemo(Carbo/Taxol) Rt Mandibulectomy, rt fibular flap,& rt ND with trach, picc,& g-tube. 30 rds of rads with weekly cisplatin SCANS ALL CLEAR! OCF Regional Coordinator of San Antonio Walk
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Netsky, I am sorry to read about your father. As several people have mentioned...pain patches will ease his pain. It is changed every 3 days and he should have something for breakthru pain too. By now I am hoping he has gotten on the fentanyl patch.
If he failed the swallow test, how is he taking in anything? water? medicine?. No wonder he feels so bad, malnourished and probably dehydrated on top of everything else. Poor man. He needs some type of feeding tube right away!!!
When I read posts about someone suffering like this, its so unfair. Is he being treated at a cancer center? It doesnt sound like the doctors are on top of his care at all. Speak up til you get results. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 9 | Hello everyone wanted to update you on my Dad. I just returned from my second extended stay and am regrouping with my nuclear family now. Gearing up for the next trip up there in a week. Okay here we go- Happy to report the pallative radiation is working. His pain now is mostly at 1-3 but can go close to zero with the meds. He is doing his second round of Cisplatin this week and rad everyday. In regards to the swallow test his epiglottis not functioning properly and down to 1 vocal cord. About a third his intake going to trachea but he has had therapy to help. Up to this week been okay but now his mouth is full of blisters from the rx so don't now how we gonna deal with all the lidocaine and making sure he gets nutrition. He is such a fighter told the rx therapist to fry him on the table. He said I am a tough SOB. God love him. Christine about the PEG , he really never wanted it to begin with until they warned us of aspiration pneumonia then he was on board. But the Med staff doesn't feel he needs it because he is doing okay job w/ nutrition and doing the coughing to get the stuff out of trachea. I think it may also be an ethical question? My sister and I and my aunt are just spending all our time trying to get quality time with him. I have to say just seeing him not in that debilitating pain is a relief but scared at what is around the corner. Just taking things day by dad being thankful and prayerful.
Caregiver to Dad. 8/09 Stg 3 SCC of buccal mucosa. T2N1M0 extracap spread Surgery/RX complete 12/09 Reoccurrence 4/10 Stage 4 Mets to bilateral nodes & base of skull 40 rx & 2 rounds cisplatin Hospice 7/29/10 .....died holding my hand 8/4/10 No smoke/No smokeless tobacco
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Your post mentions concern about maintaining nutrition. A feeding tube weather thru the stomach or nose would solve the problem. I dont know of one person who had a feeding tube that WANTED one. Very few tough souls sail thru tx without the feeding tube and without other problems like mouth sores.
Best of luck with your father. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 238 | I am so very sorry that your Dad and your family have to go through this. I will be keeping you all in my prayers. Take care.
Nancy T
CG/Mom: 5 1/2 years SCC upper palate,4 recurrences, surgeries, chemo & radiation. Mom went to Heaven 1/21/11. | | | | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 27 "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 27 | I lost my Mum to a brain tumor. Its not bloody fair. Now I have SCC of the tongue at 45.I am with the others NO NEED FOR PAIN! you and your Dad are in my thoughts Tony
lyph node positive 10/08 Parotodectomy 4/09 Rad six wks 65 grey Pet scan clear 03/10 no primary Pet 01/10 base tonge primary CT 3.5 Tumor 01/2010 radical tongue reconstruction with forearm flap 2/10 severe Trismus 06/10 | | |
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