Hi Carol;

I believe my diagnosis was almost exactly the same as your husband, as was the primary site, the 35 radiation treatments and the 3 Cisplatin treatments.

Just before my 3rd chemo tx, my weight fell below a threshhold number I had negotiated with my radiation oncologist (I had refused a G-Tube on the basis I wouldn't fall below a certain weight; if I did, I would agree to the tube's insertion.) It fell so far in fact, she threatened to cancel my 3rd treatment altogether. I strongly objected, signed myself into Surrey Memorial Hospital, had the G-Tube inserted and managed to halt any further weight loss. I pressured them into keeping my last date with Cisplatin.

I set only one goal when I started treatment, and that was to survive my 3rd chemo treatment. I had heard a significant percentage of patients are not able to handle the 3rd treatment for an assortment of reasons, and I wanted full measure of any and all treatments prescribed for me, if humanly possible.

My simple mind reasoned at the time that 2 thirds chemo treatment meant only 2 thirds of the cancer would be killed. I know that it isn't as simple as that, but I had to psyche myself up somehow if I was to achieve my goal.

From what I have heard and read on the topic, if they prescribed 3 treatments as part of the overall treatment plan, then do everything possible to receive those 3 treatments, stopping just short of harming yourself of course.

From another perspective, I don't how I would cope in the event of a recurrence and for whatever reason I had failed to take the 3rd of 3 chemo treatments, or had missed 1 or 2 of the radiation treatments; and let me assure you, I had more than ample justification for missing a couple of those when a chunk of one of my ears fell off....

... but we must battle on regardless of the setbacks or disappointments or the pain.

Whatever course your decision takes, I wish you and your husband every success in the pursuit of a full cure !

JT2