Hi my name is Kathy. We recently found out that my husband has throat cancer. While I am no stranger to cancer (lost several loved ones) dealing with throat cancer is new to me and scary is not even close to what I feel.

This nightmare started back in Sept Tommy (husband) was treated for Strep Throat at our local ER even with a negative Strep Test. Was given antibiotics along with something called Magic Mouthwash. While this antibiotic did nothing the mouthwash seemed to help. Throat stayed somewhat sore and he returned to his doctor in Oct. who treated him once again for Strep. No test done. Did not look at his throat.

With the holidays approaching and the loss of my sister he put off seeing his doctor again because he did not have health insurance until March. He is on disability due to Mitral Valve Stenosis and COPD.

He was admitted to the local hospital in January for heart rhythm problems and when he asked to hospitalist about his throat the doctor brushed it off and told him to see his PCP. Due to severe weather we had to reschedule his appointment 2 times. Finally saw the doctor and he referred him to and ENT. Before that appointment he ended back in the hospital with heart problems. Doing scans on his corroded artery they saw something and did more test.

The ENT was called in and told my husband just by looking with a scope that he had cancer. Not something they should have done to someone with PTSD, and heart problems. Tommy ended up in ICU and coding on them within 2 hours of the news. We had all these doctors fighting back and forth about what needed to be done first, heart surgery or biopsy, for 3 days that is all we heard. ENT finally won and biopsy showed cancer.

We are now having a port placed this week and a feeding tube placed this week. The PET scan came back over the weekend and the doctor told us that a Tumor on right side involves 2 or more lymph nodes, 2 on the left side as well as a spot in his lung.

It's like the hits keep coming. I am a mess, I keep it together for my families sake but I am a total mess. I myself has many health issues and mobility problems and I am terrified he may need something I can not do. I am afraid I can't help him fast enough or be physically able to do for him like I need too. I am scared and feel like I am letting him down.

Thanks for letting me vent. I don't know what to do or where else to go for support.