Hi. Just thought I would type a quick update on hubby. We met with the Radiation Oncologist this past Thursday. He said John is considered Stage 3B or Stage 4. John's right neck disection is healing really well. His neck is still stiff and numb but the incision looks really good. Since John is only 55 they want to treat this agressively. He will have 7 weeks chemo - Cisplatin, 7 weeks (35 treatments) IMRT radiation and he strongly suggested the PEG be inserted before treatment. He had a PET scan done on Friday, we have an appointment with the Oncologist tomorrow and an appointment with Interventional Radiology about the feeding tube on Wednesday. This is going to be a tough treatment but I KNOW John will beat this. I asked about recurrance and statistics and that scared me. Having lost my mom a little over a year ago to Pancreatic Cancer, I have a hard time not going to the dark side with my thoughts. I will stay positive and we will beat this. Thanks for listening. John has already lost 9 lbs. in the past 10 days so I know the PEG is probably the best course of action for him. Wanda

Wanda (47) caregiver to husband John (56) age at diag.(2009)
1-13-09 diagnosed Stage IV BOT SCC (HPV+)
2-12-09 PEG placed, 7-6-09 removed
Cisplatin 7 weeks, 7 weeks (35) IMRT
4-15-09 - treatment completed
8-09,12-09-CT Scans clear, 4-10,6-11-PET Scans clear
4-2013 - HBO (30 dives) tooth extraction
10-2019 - tooth extraction, HBO (10 dives)
11-2019 - Left lateral tongue SCC - Stage 2