Hello everyone,

Grandma is at my Mom's house now. She is probably sleeping now.....:-)) Guess what.....I had to come home to get my youngest son off the bus and I missed the doctor AGAIN!! I guess he came to my Grandma's room after I left....LOL

Mom did ask guestions.....not all the ones I wanted, but this is what she did find out.....

They are waiting to see what the biopsy report says, but we do know she is NOT going to have surgery. The biopsy today showed the cancer in her lymph node, gum and palate. The cancer is NOT in her lungs or stomach. The doctor said he was going to "cure" he used the words "cure" her cancer with chemo and radiation.

I asked mom if she asked the doctor (curative or pallative) care....she didn't.

My take on all this, correct me if I am wrong.....because she is 74 years old she could not handle the extensive surgery and reconstruction surgery along with Chemo and radiation. There is nothing they can do for her except make her comfortable until she passes on from this awful disease. I am guessing we are talking pallative care now.

My guestion, please be honest......

Because her cancer is so advanced will Chemo and radiation "CURE" this?

Just a little note.....thank you to everyone for being so helpful....and all your support.

Christy

Christy, There are several people here that have successfully beaten back cancer with a radiation / chemo only (no surgery) treatment protocol. You should not assume anything nor try to guess what might happen. Not even your Grandmother's doctors know for sure. If her doctor used the word Cure then trust in that for now. Surgery has many drawbacks, radiation has many as well. What her dr's are planning will consider the best outcomes compared to statistics. Try not to dwell on them. Just continue to support and care (as you have been doing) and let the doctors do their job. If your grandmother chooses radiation she will need your continued support. There is a lot of information here to help with the problems that might come up with radiation.

Take care.

Hello Mark,

Thank you so much......if you say there is hope.....that's all I need to hold onto.

Christy

Hi Christy,

The way we "cure" the disease is to BEAT it into remission with a collective effort of radiation, chemo and positive attitude. It's not goin to be easy for the next several months, but keep up the positive feelings. Your grandma is going to need your support.

David

Thank you everyone......:-))

I needed something positive to hold onto. I will be with my Grandma EVERY step on the way. I just want her feeling better again.....:-))

Christy

Keep supporting her like you have been Christy. It means more to her than she could ever express. It sounds a little better than your original dx. Hoping for the best for your grandma and family.

Danny Boy

Christy,

Never lose your hope. Our ability to find even the glimmer of hope in the worst of situations is what allows us to enjoy the moment. Encourage your grandmother to think of some really fun things she may want to do especially with you. Even if it is just to watch her favorite movie at home, enjoy the moment with her. I remember when my grandfather was terminally ill with lung cancer and in the hospital shortly before he passed away. He was a big, mean, burly policeman for almost all of his life. I asked him if there was anything I could do for him since I lived about 2 1/2 hours away and only visited him on weekends. His eyes lit up and he asked me to sneak him in a hamburger since he couldn't stand the hospital. I never remembered my grandfather even eating a hamburger and I couldn't believe Mr Law and Order was asking me to break a rule for him. I hid it in my jacket and when he ate the first bite, he gave me a toothless grin and just said AHHHHHHH. He took two more bites and threw it away and said it was just what the doctor forgot to order!

Make the memories!

Ed

Hi Christy, I would be very encouraged the doctor used the word cure. That says a lot... Keep hoping, keep praying and keep up the good work of caring for your grandma... We're pulling for you guys!!!!

Hi everyone.....:-))

I think tomorrow will be the day we find out everything. We are just waiting for the doctor to phone and have us all come into his office. I have my list of questions ready. I won't ask them all in front of my Grandma. I want to keep her spirits and hope high.....:-))

Is it normal for her to be so tired? She is sleeping all the time now....even sitting up. Is it from the cancer?

Also, if she hasn't been eating much for the past month how can she keep her health up when she starts chemo and radiation? Her mouth is so swollen and sore she can't eat anything hard. I was reading that a person should eat lots of veggies and fruits (fresh and raw). There is no way she can with her mouth. I was thinking of a juicer, but is too much fresh juice not good for her? She has high blood pressure etc.... She has been drinking the Boost, but she hates it. She can only drink half.

Any advise about nutrition would be wonderful.

Christy

Christy,

I am hoping and praying for the best possible news tomorrow.

Your grandma is probably tired from infection and maybe the cancer and maybe just battling the shock of finding everything just overwhelming.

Probably the two most important things are to keep hydrated and maintain nutrition. The body can not heal without nutrition. Ideally, she would need almost a can an hour of Boost. Try the Boost Plus (extra fat and calories and a little more protein) or the Boost High Protein. There are a lot of nutritional high calorie shakes posted on this sight under various topics in the forum.

Take care and keep us posted on how things are going.

Ed