Hi Patsy,
I can't speak for all hospitals, but in my mom's case she received chemo on an outpatient basis once a week for about two months (with one week off inbetween treatments). After that, she was hospitalized for a week at a time, for a total of about five weeks treatment, received a 24 hour chemo infusion in addition to twice daily radiation. I suspect the amount and frequency of treatment depends on where the cancer is staged. It's overwhelming, but you're doing the right thing by learning as much as possible to help you through the journey. The PICC line is definitely a good idea for the administration of meds.
Best wishes to you and your husband.
D
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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