| | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 | little update, as of 3 weeks ago the ENT said all 3 large tumors at base of tongue and throat are gone!! however there are active cells still there and at this point they say just keep an eye on things? Encologist said at this time chemo would do more harm than good.....my husband is with FIL now at a checkup, so waiting to hear the latest.
Will post as I know more..
we are going to go to head and neck center for 2nd opinion in columbus as well..
as for the nursing home, we got him a very nice duplex 4 houses down from us and he loves being home! nurses come 3 times a week and we visit him daily
FIL DX JAN 29, 2011
stage 4 Squamous cell carcinoma
inoperable due to his overall health.
started treatment: March 2011.
feeding tube and TRACH
finished 39 radiations and weekly chemos JUNE..
June- 3 weeks in hospital for pneumonia
July-pet scan showed slightly better
OCT- hospice care, cancer all thru body
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | I am so happy for you!!! Great on the second opinion!!! Please keep us posted! And take care!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 329 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 329 | Marisa,
I've been following your posts, you and your husband are wonderful caregivers. You and your husband are doing everything you can for your FIL to make him comfortable and happy to be near you.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted.
Take care,
Connie
SCC. of the left lateral tongue, anterior two thirds, T1 possibly a T2.
Left partial glossectomy, left selective neck dissection 4/21/09. Nodes clean, No Rad, No Chemo.
CT Scan 9/11 clean, CT Scan 9/12 clean
Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. A+.
My hometown Lockport, NY.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 | thanks so much Connie.....we are doing all we can....lil update, he is back in hospital  he called us yesterday saying he could not breathe....we ran down there and he looked fine, but he said it felt like the mucous was taking over his lungs!!! his mucous is HORRIBLE....he said he thought he was dying......so we called ambulance, they rushed him to hospital.... they gave him lots of breathing treatments and meds to help loosed the mucus, they did a cat scan as well.....nurse said they are looking at possible pneaumonia, or cancer has spread into lungs, or possible heart failure? but will not know until tomorrow, he says he feels much better, but the mucous is definitely at its worse, poor guy tomorrow he is having (cant think of the word) but the tube inserted where it drains fluid off the lungs for relief......will post as i know more...thanks for the support! I read all these posts and you guys and your stories are all so touching and I pray and thank each and every one of you...good night
FIL DX JAN 29, 2011
stage 4 Squamous cell carcinoma
inoperable due to his overall health.
started treatment: March 2011.
feeding tube and TRACH
finished 39 radiations and weekly chemos JUNE..
June- 3 weeks in hospital for pneumonia
July-pet scan showed slightly better
OCT- hospice care, cancer all thru body
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Hi Marisakay:
Have them check for a bacterial infection in his lungs - that can cause an enormous amount of mucus coming up into his mouth/throat. I'll say a prayer for him, and all of you.
julieann
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer  | | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 287 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2011 Posts: 287 | Hi Marisa, hoping that your FIL is doing alright now and it is just a pneumonia. Hope to hear from you soon, may god be with you.
Father; 67 yrs; RIP: 2012/05/26
TX:SCC pT2N1M0G2;Glossectomy+SND+CCRT(59.3Gy+6xCis.)[2009]
TX:Nodal Mets; 3xDCF[2011/05/05]
TX: RND + PMMC Flap[2011/07/11]
DX:SCC PNI+ECE
TX:Re-RT 60Gy[2011/09/21]
TX:Gefitinib 250mg[2011/12/18]
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Sorry to here he's back in the hospital - hopefully it's just and infection, or possible pneumonia - good luck an healing vibes!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 | thanks for the prayers, the cancer has spread into his lungs and he has pneumonia he says his breastbone is very tender and we know there is a tumor there the encologist wants to continue treating the pneumonia and tomorrow start chemo??!!! this really surprises me, would that not be overkill? I just cannot see the reasoning of rushing chemo so quickly while he already is so sick? I wish I was there when the encologist came in, but he came in sat night at midnight, when of course we are not there.......we are thinking the dr gave him not good news and maybe told him this is his only chance? but I am afraid it will be even worse for him? has anyone heard of continuing treatment so quick? we believe it will be eurbitux again
FIL DX JAN 29, 2011
stage 4 Squamous cell carcinoma
inoperable due to his overall health.
started treatment: March 2011.
feeding tube and TRACH
finished 39 radiations and weekly chemos JUNE..
June- 3 weeks in hospital for pneumonia
July-pet scan showed slightly better
OCT- hospice care, cancer all thru body
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Yes - it's possible they're still hoping to treat - though maybe not cure - it can't hurt - really though it depends on the type of chemo. I would do it e en if it's palliative sometimes it's not all about buying time but if t works it may shrink the tumors - (less pain? Difficulty breathing?) as the dr. Hugs to you . I know this must be very hard for you!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 28 | the encologist held off the chemo so he could get stronger....so while in long term hospital he did physical therapy 3 times a day....was to be getting discharged this past week so he could start chemo, when a week ago a HUGE tumor emerged out of his collar bone area....
he was in SO MUCH PAIN, they did surgery on it SUNDAY and drained it, the dr was shocked when bones came out w the fluid, he said his breast bone up to his shoulder is completly destroyed...they tested it and on monday, we got the news that the cancer is into the bones in his chest....
encologist told him , that at this point he has had the best treatments, and it would prob do more harm than good...
he said that CT scan from 3 weeks ago show fluid all thru the lungs, cancer thru each lung, and now of course into the bones in his chest...
they are giving him lots of pain meds, dr recommended hospice, but FIL does not want to "quit" he says....he does not understand that it is just too far gone and the treatments would not help...
I do not know what to say or do to help....
any suggestions?
thanks
FIL DX JAN 29, 2011
stage 4 Squamous cell carcinoma
inoperable due to his overall health.
started treatment: March 2011.
feeding tube and TRACH
finished 39 radiations and weekly chemos JUNE..
June- 3 weeks in hospital for pneumonia
July-pet scan showed slightly better
OCT- hospice care, cancer all thru body
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