| | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 9 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 9 | Just found this board and wanted to introduce myself. I am a 50 something woman who is now caring for/helping my 76 year old mother who was diagnosed with throat/tonsillar cancer this past July. She finished her radiation and chemo therapy treatments a few weeks ago and now we are headed to the surgical oncologist/plastic surgeon as her jaw has been damaged/broken/destroyed (not sure which) from either the cancer or the treatment.
I am still searching the boards, am looking for info on elderly patients. I get the point that she can have many more years of life but I am fairly sure that she will be very upset if the docs suggest radical/painful reconstructive surgery. She is also depressed now because we both thought that everything would be mostly fixed once the radiation was over which it obviously isn't.
I am very glad I found this forum and appreciate all the information everyone is sharing.
Caregiver to mother (76) smoker, drinker
7-15-11 diagnosed Stage 2 Tonsillar Cancer - No lymph node involvement
PEG and Port installed, Radiation and Chemo begun
11/3 Treatment complete
12-15 CT lower right jaw half gone and possible lymph node involvement
Thank God for my husbands help and support
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 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: 7 | Welcome to OCF. Reconstructive surgery is not anything that can be compared to what your mother experienced with chemo and radiation. Ive had many surgeries done and have found it to be much easier than chemo/rads. Of course everyone is different but reconstructive surgery really is something easy to recover from. Most radiation patients find healing is slower after having radiation treatments. Make sure you get a second opinion before agreeing to any other treatments. A large cancer center would be the best place to get the 2nd opinion.
Often hyperbaric oxygen treatments (HBO) are recommended to speed healing. This type of treatment is very simple. Ive done 125 of them and found it to be one of the easiest things I have gone thru. Usually patients go thru alot less, maybe about 30 or 40.
It is very common for oral cancer patients to become depressed during or after treatments. Radiation can be very difficult, many of us struggle. If your mother seems to stay depressed for more than a couple weeks it would be a good plan to seek out a therapist or doctor. She may need the help of anti-depressants to get past her treatments. It will take several weeks until your mother begins to bounce back after finishing radiation. I hope as time goes on she pulls out of this and begins to look forward to a bright future. We have seen many patients in their 70s successfully battle oral cancer and its after effects.
Best wishes!
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: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Hi Jaz!
Welcome to OCF! Very glad you found this forum, sorry you had to!
I agree with Christine, rads and chemo is the hard part. Both Christine and I have had mandible reconstruction done, which is an extremely involved procedure, yet I think I'd sign up for that again before choosing another round of rads.
Our resident "old" person, EZJim, is an example that where there is a will there is a way and continues to inspire and enjoy life everyday. That guy is my hero. I hope you find all the information and support our little haven on the net has to offer.
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hi welcome - these guys above I know what their talking about! Hoe verything works out for your mom!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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