Jamie,

I know how tough this must be on both you and your mother. Studies have shown that chemo during radiation helps the radiation. I spent some time in and out of the hospital during the chemo phases, too, but only because I thought it was better to do what was most effective.

I hope the doctors are able to ease the pain and deal with the complications and side effects. I pumped in 2-3 bags of fluids at home for many months. Try to not worry and keep asking the doctors questions until you have peace of mind. They will assume you have no questions if you don't ask. The can explain everything they are doing to the point you regain confidence that they are trying their hardest to kill the cancer beast.

Hang in there, it will be tough for a while.

Ed

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023