Tina,

I am sorry for where everything is right now with your mother. I am sure when you sought out a second opinion, this is not what was expected. But try to remember that you went because you wanted to know, not because you wanted to be told something different. Now you are armed with the correct assessment. It sounds like the first diagnosis did not accurately stage the cancer and going from a Stage II to a Stage IV gives the medical team a much clear picture of what they are dealing with and how to formulate the best possible treatment plan to battle this disease. You wanted another opinion because you were not comfortable with the first. I just wish the outcome could have been different but there will be a more precise plan from the information obtained during the surgery. Does this even make sense?

Your anger right now is what we all, patients and caregivers alike, have gone through. Nobody wants to go through or see someone they love go through this. Get it out and then refocus on you mom's treatment. She is so fortunate to have you by her side, helping her in the battle of all battles. Try hard to keep yourself recharged, take time to make time...for yourself.

Again, I am sorry for what you are going through.

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