I posted the following to the Symptoms and Treatment section recently, but, not sure about protocol, below I post the part relevant to why I am on this list, as an Intro...

My husband Jim was diagnosed in November (day before Thanksgiving) with squamous cell carcinoma found in a neck mass that was removed six weeks after a needle biopsy came back "suspicious cells". It took several weeks for the ENT to determine the primary tumor, and there was so much confusion we couldn't make sense of much of it...an MRI showed an extremely large mass in my husbands throat that the doc could not see--he still calls it the "phantom MRI". Well, we were then sent to Stanford's ENT Tumor Board for a 2nd opinion and via that process it was determined that Jim had a tumor at the base of his tongue, and it was likely stage III or IV. They offered us a chance to participate in a trial there of 2 rounds of chemo (Taxol/5fu) followed by 7weeks radiation with concurrent chemo, then two more rounds of chemo. We declined because, frankly we didn't find the Tumor Board doc very "warm and fuzzy" and we could not envision the commute over a very windey highway 17. We then found a chemo doc near home who we had an immediate rapport with and who offered a therapy very similar to the Stanford trial, but using Taxotere rather than Taxol...so that is what we are doing. Jim has completed 4 28-day cycles of chemo and 3 weeks of radiation therapy to date...after the first two rounds of chemo, a CAT scan found no visible sign of the original tumor. Wednesday night Jim had surgery to insert a gastirc feeding tube as he was having much difficulty swallowing anything, including fluids. Currently having lots of trouble with the G-tube, nothing is moving through Jim, so he can not tolerate any feedings, or even much water...saw surgeon today, he asked us to try a few more things (dulcolax supps and Reglan) before he will request an x-ray of Jim's colon. We are very tired and cranky, any uplifting thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Jan

Oh Jan! I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all happy for you, but all I can tell you is that it will get better. Honestly and truly, it WILL get better. Your post has that unmistakable sound of being really, really tired of it all, and there isn't one of us here, patient or care giver, who cannot relate. There was recently a discussion of constipation, and there are many hours of reading about the care and feeding of PEG tubes, so I invite you to use the search feature at the top of the page to possibly find some information that will be helpful to you. Hang in there and please know that you can always come here to find people who understand exactly.
Joanna

Hi Jan, I'm not trying to sound like a certain former President of the United States...but "I feel your pain". I know the anxiety and confusion you and your husband are going through. My husband also was diagnosed with SCC - and he finished his radiation/chemo treatments on 11/29/02. It was a rough holiday season to say the least. But as Joanne said - things will get better. It seems hard to believe at times I know, but since your husband's CAT scans came back with no sign of the original tumor - that's good news, and something to build hope on. I know I relished EVERY good word and positive thought that came my way - especially when it came from the health care professionals! Anyways - hang in there and be strong - It does take a LOT of time with treatments and the recovery process afterwards, but just look at the many people here who have gone through this and came out the champion! Feel free to express yourself and vent anytime you feel the need - it's good for the soul!