| | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 3 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 3 | My husband is almost ninety years old and on March 1st underwent total neck dissection. He has decided not to go through radiation. Has anyone on the board chose this option.? He says he wants to enjoy whats left of his life with quality. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Im so sorry you are in this situation! I cant imagine how difficult this must be for you.
There have been some members (caregivers) who have had to go this route with their patient. Unfortunately anyone who has refused to have treatment has passed away. There isnt much here about that type of thing as OCF works to help patients with survival using scientifically proven medical treatment and recovery. This type of decision is something we arent able to assist you with. Its a very personal choice when a patient refuses treatment due to quality of life issues.
Hospice has people who are specially trained in these matters and can help with the questions Im sure you must have. I would also check with your husbands physician for some guidance. If that individual isnt able to help at least they can point you in the right direction. You probably need not only some guidance regarding your husbands situation but also some support for you as well.
Best wishes!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | As the person on this board with the second highest amount of radiation, I fully support your husband's decision. Of course you love Him, but radiation has never improved anyone's quality of life. Reread Christine's answer to your first two posts about 70 and 80 year olds. At 90 let it go as the pain and issues will rob him of quality of life.
Explore hospice and palliative care so you can both enjoy his remaining years.
In my opinion, if your tears make him change his mind, you will both regret it.
I am so sorry that this has happened to you
Chram
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | I have to agree. At 90 years of age I would not persue radiotherapy for an oral cancer. I'm sure he has had a great life to date. I would not be encouraging him to make his last years miserable. The surgery may well have rid him of all the cancer. Radiation is just a follow up and I feel at this age is not a necessity.
I hope you both enjoy these last years together.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 | I missed the earlier posts, but I was given the option after my surgery on radiation, and chose not to. I am monitored closely for any recurrence, and so far so good. I had no node involvement when they did the neck dissection (false positive on the PET with contrast).
Tina
Diag: Aug. 13/12
T3N0M0
50% + glossectomy and bilateral radical neck dissection, removal of nodes zones I - V
Surgery October 11/12
Chemo/rad on hold due to clear margins and nodes
Sept 21/13 clear CT with anomaly thought to be the artery, being watched closely.
Dec 16/13 - anomaly confirmed artery, all clear
nickname: "get 'r done"
Plans: kick cancer's butt
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