Hello,
My brother has just received his results from his post radiation (lifetime max) checkup. They said they no longer see activity in the chest or lymph nodes and the tumor on the back of the tongue is shrinking. They said they may do more chemo or just leave it alone and let it continue shrinking. Will it do this? I thought it was best to cut the thing out if possible or do they wait until it stops shrinking? He was given a very grim prognosis in July - 8-10 months. I just don't know what this means. Any ideas?
Thanks. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tonya

Tonya
As you can see my husbands story is similar to your brothers. I dont quite understand why they would choose not to do surgery if the tumor is still there.
I do believe youn need to go back to the Doc and have him explain more fully what his plan is and why he has chosen this route.
Maybe your brother needs another opinion, I don`t think I would accept the 'wait and see' routine.
Let us know whats happening.
Take Care
Marica

Tonya,

Please make it a point to write down these important questions you have before you go and during your visits and DO NOT LEAVE without answers to all of them in terms you understand and can live with. Doctors sometimes assume we know what they are saying and they disengage the conversation as they move on to the next patient. Make it clear you need more explanation.

Are you still pursuing MDACC? From the sounds of your post, things are improving for David.

Ed

Tonya, this sounds like very good news for your brother. Congratulations. The rad/chemo can shrink the tumors and kill the cancer. That's what happened in my case. I do recommend that surgery be done to make sure all of the cancer is removed, however, I'm not a doctor. You should listen to your doctors, and seek additional opinions if you aren't comfortable with the treatment they suggest. However, the last checkup sounds like a great improvement. He will stay in my prayers.

Thank you so much for your replies and encouragement. My brother was waiting on this last week's results in order to resubmit and admission form to MDACC. I have encouraged him to call them today, apply for admission again and have his current doctors send the results. I'm not sure he will do it. His next appointment with his current docs is Nov. 29th and he doesn't think Houston could get him in between now and then anyway, due to the holidays. I just hate waiting - even a few days. I will be accomanying him to the doctor on Monday and hope to find out more then. I just didn't know if it was a plausible solution to "just let it keep shrinking." They are talking about more chemo or a radiation implant as an option. His wife is so dead set against Houston - don't ask me why - and I am have to fight an uphill just to get her to contact them and have the info faxed each time. MDACC, understandably, wants to talk to the patient or his wife, not a pushy sister. Anyway, I guess at this point I will wait until we know more next week and then push MDACC more. Of course they have already turned him away twice, so who knows? Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. I will keep you updated.