I'm not sure Ina, but the doctors must have considered this. Mine were not bad on my face at all, more on my arms, legs, back, scalp, probably from dryness too, and were just itchy. Maybe a day or two for my face. which was immediately cleared by the antibiotics. They can always stop the infusions, if too severe, and just do radiation, maybe restart Erbitux again, Someone can ask the doctor this about this. You, your family are in my thoughts, and prayers.

My husband found that Eucerin's Aquaphor helped a good deal. Best wishes,
Maria

I have been reading some post about radiation and it seems that it is more painful and uncomfortable than chemotherapy. Based on what i heard which I will confirm this week, is that Joyce will get the maximum amount of radiation at the site of her new lesions/tumor. I wonder if the fact that surgery will not performed before radiation would that make the open lesion wound bigger? Was it right not to push for surgery first? Both oncologist and surgeon did not want to proceed with the surgery. What factors could have triggered that decision?

Thanks guys!!

[quote=PaulB]I'm not sure Ina, but the doctors must have considered this. Mine were not bad on my face at all, more on my arms, legs, back, scalp, probably from dryness too, and were just itchy. Maybe a day or two for my face. which was immediately cleared by the antibiotics. They can always stop the infusions, if too severe, and just do radiation, maybe restart Erbitux again, Someone can ask the doctor this about this. You, your family are in my thoughts, and prayers. [/quote]

The main reason they are giving her Erbitux due to her failing kidneys. According to her doctors during her cisplatin chemo her kidneys reached stage 4 (life expectancy), last step towards having a dialysis. Her potassium level is so high that is why it took more than a week to schedule the peg tube. If things don't change she will have the peg inserted on Sunday.

My kidneys are not good either, and main reason why I had Erbitux last time. Nothing else was really considered. Had high potassium just two weeks ago, and in the past, but is normal now. They can bring it down, hopefully. Good luck.

[quote]Both oncologist and surgeon did not want to proceed with the surgery. What factors could have triggered that decision?[/quote]

Hi Ina,

so sorry to hear of the troubles with Joyce. It must be so difficult trying to help from thousands of miles away in addition to trying to navigate a different health care system

To answer your question above: It is likely that the oncologist and surgeon think that the risks of surgery are higher than the potential benefits with Joyce's other medical issues (kidney function and nutrition/weight). Maybe once chemorads are completed and successful, and she regains some health (weight and kidney function) they may consider surgery if they think it necessary??

I personally would not be worried too much about lack of surgery - chemorads might well do everything that can be done.

Everyone is different in the type of treatment, which should be geared towards that person, cormorbitiess, condition, so there is no right or wrong. As mentioned, the kidneys factor in, probably anemic too, and the risk of surgery probably outweighs the benefit. maybe even waiting to see if the tumor shrinks, and then plan to do a less invasive surgery. Radiation may actually help heal some wounds.

Hopefully things will go well for her. Rads and chemo will be hard - very hard - but as it is she is already suffering so hopefully they will give her meds to take care of her pain. Hugs and best of luck to you, her and her family.

[quote=davidcpa]I really think (purely based upon years on this site) that they need to forget the PEG; forget this surgery and try and make her as comfortable as possible until the end which I believe is very near.[/quote]

Update: Peg has been inserted, however, she is fighting an infection of some sort and still at the hospital with fever.

Due to financial issues, the treatment is in limbo. From experience here in the forum, with no treatment what is the prognosis?

Please remember that none of us are doctors much less docs that specialize in oral cancer and add to that that we haven't even seen Joyce so all we can do is post based upon our experiences on this site. In the 6 to 7 years on this site I have read many posts where break throughs have been discussed and in each case the time to end was very short, as in months. I hope I am reading this incorrectly. The fact that her docs, who do specialize in oral cancer and are much more familiar with her and probably have seen others like her, still want to treat her cancer aggressively should give you reason to trust their judgment over my guessings.