#87430 01-06-2009 11:05 PM | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 | Hi everyone  David goes in for his surgery to remove the cancer Jan 8th @ 5:30am. We're not sure if the Dr. is going to radiate prior to surgery - he said he would decide when the morning of the surgery. I've seen where the feeding tube is highly recommended if radiation is involved. I wanted to ask your advice on whether or not he should have a feeding tube even if the Dr. doesn't radiate? As of right now - David does not want the feeding tube at all. He agreed if he loses 10 lbs he'll get a feeding tube put in (of course I argued that he would want to get it done during this operation to avoid another trip and surgery - not to mention however long he will have to endure being hungry / losing weight). I'm just not sure that his expectations are reasonable... Your advice is greatly appreciated. -Philly
Mom of 4, wife and caregiver to David, 37 yrs old, diagnosed 12/4/08 SSC T4NXMX Maxillectomy on 1/8/09. 19 out of 30 scheduled rounds of IMRT Radiation Therapy. Cancer free!! (Last checkup 8/09) Next 10/23/09
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Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | if they are not radiating, i would go by what doc suggests... many do not have it put in from just a surgery but doc will know if the surgery he is having would be a slow enough recovery for eating that it may be suggested....
if there is radiation coming though ALWAYS have it done prior to starting radiation. the nurse told me that they see people wait until starting radiation, and then they come in for one and it is hard to get them to settle enough for the procedure because they are do uncomfortable ,..
but if no radiation and only surgery then it may well not be needed and waiting to see if needed may be in his best interest. you sure don't want one unless it is needed, but you sure as heck don't want to be without it if it is needed ... so see! I was sure a lot of help, wasn't I? LOL
Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
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"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
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Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Usually feeding tubes are done on patients who are undergoing both radiation and chemo for oral cancer. With only having surgery, Im sure it would depend on the severity of the surgery if it would be something necessary.
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: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | I would think a feeding tube would not be necessary for just surgery. You should know some of us went through radiation without a tube either.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | You said....David goes in for his surgery to remove the cancer Jan 8th @ 5:30am. We're not sure if the Dr. is going to radiate prior to surgery - he said he would decide when the morning of the surgery.
I don't understand the part about radiating before surgery if the surgery is already planned for tomorrow?
Pegs have been discussed and debated forever on this site and basically us that didn't get one stands by that and the ones that did get one advocates getting one.
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 $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Philly
To PEG or not to PEG, that is the question that is a real HOT button on OCF. I ran afoul of it in my first few days here and almost dropped out of OCF figuring the last thing I needed was another flame throwing forum. Of course I brought it on myself with an evangelical zeal for no PEG, no way despite over 40 lb weight loss. David (not your David) summed it up very nicely in his post. For what it is worth, I totally identify with your David's feelings. For many posters here, a PEG was a God send that got them thru treatment. My expectations were in fact highly unreasonable, but worked out.
Prayers for the surgery going well
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
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Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | figuring the last thing I needed was another flame throwing forum.
Cute, I like that.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 | Good luck with the surgery. Agree, either you radiate long before sugery or go through the treatments post surgery which is what I did. Definitely don't see going with a peg until you find out if David is going to have to go through radiation. Again, hoping for the best tomorrow.
Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | I believe what was meant was the decision to radiate was not known before surgery not that the radiation itself was going to happen before surgery.
Flame throwing indeed! I have the asbestos suit to show for it. (never mind the mesothelioma jokes)
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 | Thank you all so much for your posts. This place has been a real godsend - removing a large portion of anxiety by helping me to understand what the next step is and what to expect. Thank you all. David is in surgery now. The Dr. said it would be at least 3 hours - so about 3/4 of the way through as of right now. I'll post updates here when I get access to a computer - otherwise, you're welcome to follow my updates on Twitter (I can post those from my Blackberry http://twitter.com/phillyrussell
Mom of 4, wife and caregiver to David, 37 yrs old, diagnosed 12/4/08 SSC T4NXMX Maxillectomy on 1/8/09. 19 out of 30 scheduled rounds of IMRT Radiation Therapy. Cancer free!! (Last checkup 8/09) Next 10/23/09
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