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#50656 01-03-2004 08:44 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 37 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 37 | Dan had a radical neck dissection on Christmas eve. They got some of the tumor, however, they were not able to get it all. It is attached to his carotid artery and path results show it in the wall of the jugular up to the base of the skull. No clear margins could be obtained from surgery so mega doses of chemo/rad are being set up for about three weeks so the radical neck dissection can heal enough. He has some pain the neck from the dissection, but his worse pain is in his head and face from what we think is still the cancer. They left a thumb top amount there. He is on percocet, some mophine patch and he still feels the cancer (apart from the pain). What a nightmare this is since he just had the tongue cancer 5 months ago and modified neck dissections showed nodes taken to be negative. The worry is this cancer grows most aggressively in Dan and we have at least three weeks before starting the chemo/rad. Also, he has the verrucous leukoplakia back on his tongue.
Any information out there that can help us? The news is bad and it's hard to stay positive during this time.
Thanks for any and all input!
Deb
Debbie/Caregiver/wife of Dan, diagosed with SCC tongue, Stage II/III, 1/3 tongue removal, lymph node dissection both sides of neck, skin graph 7/30/03. Left tumor found - radical left neck dissection 12/24/03. Could not get all of tumor/wrapped around carotid artery and in wall of jugular. 1/12/04 beginning of 6 doses of Taxol/Cistoplatin once a week, and rad 70 gray 5 days a week/6 weeks.
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#50657 01-03-2004 12:14 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 | Debbie,
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. I know it is very hard for you to support Dan when you are feeling so discouraged yourself. I just want you to know that there are many people pulling for you and Dan. Also keep in mind that there are many on this forum who never had surgery at all...just chemo and radiation...and that treatment was effective in killing the cancer.
Anita
Husband Dx 12/02 Stage 4 Tonsil Cancer T1N2bM0; surgery, radiation, chemo 1/03 - 4/03.
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#50658 01-04-2004 02:36 AM | Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 20 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 20 | My stepfather had aggressive throat cancer. He could feel it in his head as well. The cancer was too complex for any surgery so they opted for only high doses of radiation. It was a hard road but he is in complete remission and has been for over a year now. I pray it doesn't come back, but he does not take care of himself the way he should. My mother died shortly after he went into remission for unexpected lung cancer and he just doesn't have the will anymore. Anyway, enough about me. I think your husband has a good fighting chance with this cancer. I understand the pain. My stepfather was in so much pain, for months, I don't know how he could stand it, but he did. When all was said and done, I asked him about the pain, He said the meds numbed him and he wasn't in pain at all.
Take care and best wished to you and your family, Michelle | | |
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