First, thank you to those who encouraged the second opinion by the medical specialists who deal with head and neck cancers 'all the time!' We visited with 8 doctors in 1.5 days -- wow! By last appointment with radiation oncologist, I just did not want to hear anything anymore -- emotionally exhausted! But we stuck in there and this guy was incredible! Very upbeat very positive! Which after earlier that day having the first 'staging' done for my husband's cancer, was much needed. The medical oncologist staged it at a 4B mostly due to size of the neck tumor. The surgeon -- who we visited with first -- recommended against surgery due to the high risk for complications. While we hated hearing all those potential complications, how much worse it would have been to have gone through surgery as recommended by our local docs and awoken to realize some of the worst scenarios might have occurred.

Thank you thank you for encouraging us to seek the highly skilled, highly experienced medical team. I knew in my heart it was what the right thing to do but husband was just wanting to get it taken care of and not wanting to wait. Of course I wanted to respect his opinions and desires, but through your encouragement, we indeed sought out a consultation with the head and neck cancer center at a university a couple hundred miles away. Well worth the time and and investment. We now have 100 percent confidence in our team. What is the take away -- as I think David said -- pursue opions from those who see this all the time.

We start induction chemo next Wed. The doctors said we would probably not be up for thanksgiving -- guess that's how fast this stuff works -- but that this would be one missed for many many more! Believe we go 2-3 rounds of this induction and then move into chemo-radiation. The treatment is obviously much longer now than surgery followed by chemo-radiation, but we feel -- again -- very very confident that we are on the right path.

I'm sure sounding strong now, eh? I'm sure I'll be chiming in soon enough when we hit the hard spots and I'm seeking encouragement here and advice and the 'hug' that comes from this group. As thanksgiving approaches I wish to thank everyone here for the sharing and genuine caring that I read. Best wishes to each of you this week!

Gayle

Gayle,
A question I think should be asked is if the CCC team had the biopsy screened for the HPV virus.

If this is a redundant reply, my apologies... computer a bit moody.

Indeed this team conducted another biopsy during our 2-day visit to test for the HPV. Thanks for asking!

Gayle

Good! I am glad to hear of your wise choice in seeking medical care.
Ginny

Hi Gayle

My Alex had induction chemo followed by chemorads which began in March 2010 and finished in August 2010, so I may be able to help with your questions.

Glad to hear you are now more comfortable with your docs - this is nearly as important as the actual treatment!!

For your information the side effects of chemo (depending on the regimen) tend to hit just before the end of week one, continue for week two and then week three is an almost normal feeling. My Alex always felt "like a box of birds" on chemo day and the day after because of all the hydration the nurses forced through his system. He also welcomed chemo days, even though they made him so sick, because he felt he was actively combating the tumour.

The drugs given for nausea were very effective so the main issue was the fatigue. Alex also started suffering with thick stringy mucous during chemo. Advice on these boards suggested that Alex was a bit unusual in this respect as this usually happens during chemo-radiation but if this happens to your husband, at least you know where to come for advice.

Some words of advice
1. Make sure the anti-nausea meds are taken - don't let your husband wait to feel sick and then take them. Like pain, it is more difficult to get side effects back under control than to take the drugs before they take hold.
2. Keep eating as much as possible - doesn't matter what as long as it has calories.
3. Drink, drink, drink. In my opinion, this was the single most important thing that determined the difference between a "leave me alone so I can die in peace" day and "I might take a walk today and meet you at the office" day.

I don't know how your husband is, but my Alex seemed to associate the taking of any pills with weakness which took some beating out of him. Luckily for him, he had an arrogant bullying Carer who knew better than him at the time

Good luck with next week and come back here to ask or vent. Do not concern yourself with sounding self centred - we have all been there and know that the centre of your universe will be your husband for a while. There is no one here who will think your are being selfish or ignorant.

So glad you got a bunch of opinions!! And so glad you are now more confident in your drs. This makes a world of difference. Hugs and good luck... Chemo can be hard, not so hard or easy - depending on the type - and the individual. Take care.