After a series of MRI's and other tests, this is what I was how they want to treat my oral cancer.. They would take a least 1/2 of my tongue, the floor of my mouth,take what is necessary out of my neck and and whatever else where the cancer has spread. Then they would take skin from my left forarm and make a flap to put under ny tongue. They would then take a skin graft from my left and graft it to my forarm mto replace the skin now in my mouth. the arm would be put in a splint for 6 weeks. They would install a trach and also a feeding tube into my stomache. Then radiation and chemo would follow. The best I would get out of this is 50--50.I am 71 yrs old and this is a lot to go thru for a maybe. I hate to go thru all this and maybe lose what good time I have left. Dr can't say how long recovery would be.I'm thinking hell with the surgery and just live the rest of my time here and enjoy it instead of being a body that is helpless. Had to get this off my chest. Thanks for listening. Jim

My husband was given a 50/50 chance, do not have surgery. He had 35 radiation treatments and 2 chemo. He is 60 years old. He was quite advanced in fact the doctor said it was the largest he had ever seen. We wanted a cure and needed a treatment plan. We both agreed to accept anything that would give us hope for a cure. ENT wrote him off. We fought hard especially knowing our daughter would be devastated with his loss. He had the treatment 7 weeks and is coming along nicely. Slow but is coming along. He had a trach and a feed tube. He may need surgery not sure yet. If he didnot go through with the treatment I would have been so upset with him. I wanted him to live. Hope it helps, we will be here for you Jim. Take care, Carol Ann.

Is this from the doctor in Morgantown? Since you said in a previous posting that Ohio State is just a couple of hours from your home, you might consider seeking a second opinion there.

Several posters on these boards have been treated at OSU's head and neck cancer oncology program , and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network -- a nonprofit alliance of 20 top cancer centers across the country. The doctors in this network are the ones that devise the most current treatment protocols.

The NCCN's latest treatment guidelines for head and neck cancer are here: http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/treatment/guidelines.htm -- at the least, it would give you something to discuss with the doctor who proposed what you describe.

All the best,
Leslie

Jim, To me 71 is young (though I am not yet even 50), and, assuming you are in good health other than your cancer, it is hard for me to imagine that the fight is not worth fighting for that 50-50 chance. I know it sounds like really scary surgery but I think there are people on this board that have had surgeries close to that and are cancer free today.

I agree it may be a good idea to get a second opinion, but assuming they recommend the same treatment plan, I would recommend digging down deep and finding the fighter in you.

I have a story with a sort of funny ending kind of related to this. My grandfather, who was a heart surgeon, at age 94 or so (he lived to see 98) was having some breathing problems and went for a chest xray. They found a shadow on his lung and my grandfather feared that meant lung cancer. He also was afraid at his advanced age that no one would recommend aggressive treatment (nasty though that treatment can be). He said to my mother "I'd rather die on the operating table than die from cancer without a fight". He was 94. You're only 71!

The funny ending to this is that they did some follow up tests and I believe some kind of surgery and it turned out the shadow on his lung was a hairball. Yes, a hairball. My grandfather lived in a big old drafty house in Vermont without good heat (he had the money to fix this but never wanted the bother). Ever since my grandmother had died, 20 years earlier, he had taken to sleeping with his dogs in the bed with him and there was one he cuddled up to on those cold Vermont nights. The shadow on his lung was dog hair.

Hope that got a smile from you in the midst of the hard news and tough decisions!

Nelie

Jim,

Get another opinion and please don't think at 70 your to old to live.

Jim,

Do not throw in the towel yet!! If you do nothing you might have a year? If you get treatment you could be looking at the rest of your life. I am sure your family would vote for the rest of your life.

As far as quality we all have a few side effects, but not to the point they can not be worked with. As far as healing everyone is different. Most start eating again around 4 months. I had peg tube as well, it was removed at 9 months. They remove peg tube when you are able to maintain on your own. It is only there to help through treatment.

There is a lot of information here for you to read and help with your questions. So at 71 you have a lot to live for. Check out the Survivor page, you will find that people do get through this. They go on trips, camping, build houses, etc. Yes, we have to rest now and then, but who doesn't after 55. Haha!!

Take care, and hang in there. You will get lots of help here. Keep posting so we can help
Diane

Jim,
I felt like you (and I'm onl 58!), so I do understand where you're coming from. I'm classed as 'incurable', but one look at my partner's face when they suggested treatment---at FAR FAR less than 50/50---and I knew I had to try and 'prolong' at least!
Take a breath, think a while longer--and at the end of the day---as my kids and partner said--it's YOUR decision.
brenda

Nelie I also have Barretts Esophagus and an abdominal aoric anneurysm that was repaired using a y on the anneurysm when it was repaired and have 1/3 of my stomache wrapped around the esophagus. I handled those with ease even tho both still hurt. I have the gumption but if I have beter than a 50--50 in my favor. I also have asbestosis and some asthma.

And Nelie, I did laugh at your grandads story. Thanks

Glad it got you to chuckle! 50-50 odds is a lot better than some cancer patients have fight their disease hard. You've obviouly already learned how to get through some tough stuff. Don't think about the odds. Think about beating this (I am my grandfather's daughter!)

Nelie