Vickie,

I am sorry to hear your news and it sounds like both of you are just worn out from it all. Not knowing your father's circumstances, I just wish there was something they could do to help ease the pain in his throat at least. It seems while we go through this, we get caught in this vicious circle. We need nourishment and especially water to keep the body going in the right direction. The throat (and mouth) gets so dry that it hurts to swallow. It hurst so bad we can't swallow anything and it just continues in this way. I know it sounds easy but water at least down the throat helps and the hydration helps and then some pain will diminish and at least a liquid diet is tolerable. Without some type of swallowing, it just gets worse and the throat muscles stop working correctly for swallowing.

I also hope there was no sign of anything questionable before the did the HBO treatments. Surely, the docs know that.

Try to at least get a few minutes away from it all for yourself. I will be praying for both of you and for guidance for the medical team to find the best course possible for you father.

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