#3987 10-04-2004 04:25 PM | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 45 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 45 | Hi Everyone,
Grandma had 5 radiation treatments. The radiation has shrunk the tumor a lot....:-)) She can close her lips again. There is still a lot of swelling in the neck though.
She has pneumonia, which is being treated with antibiotics (from being in bed so much). They were worried she had a blood clot on the lung, but they don't think that's what it is.
The doctors were giving her pain killers and all sorts of other drugs. She started to get violent and very aggressive, which she NEVER is. I talked to the doctor this morning and told him.....no more!! They stopped all medication (except the antibiotic and blood thinner). She started opening her eyes about 7 hours later and was back to her old self.....:-)) She is not really in a lot of pain so Tylenol should be enough for now. Now we just have to get her up and moving around to keep all the other problems at bay.
We have to get together with the radiologist in a few days to see if they will continue with the radiation. If it is up to me......no is not an option!! I am not letting them give up on her.
She was looking in the mirror today.....I think she was really surprised it shrunk so much. I know the doctors are surprised she is still alive.
Last week the doctor was in my Grandma's room. He said....."She will definitely die on this admission". I was so mad!! We have to prove them wrong!! This damn tumor is going to shrink and not come back!!
Christy | | |
#3988 10-04-2004 04:44 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 | Hey Christy,
You are a great advocate for your grandma...keep it up! I think sometimes docs can be so cold. Dan has a great oncologist, but his first oral surgeon had no bedside manner to speak of. You keep fighting for your grandma, you are doing such a great job! My prayers are with you!
Debbie
Debbie - Caregiver for husband, Dan, diagnosed with tongue cancer 7/03. Partial gloss., mod. neck dissections, graft. Recurrence neck tumor 12/03. Radical left neck dissection 12/24/03-unable to get all the tumor. 8 weeks chemo/rad beginning 1/12/04.
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#3989 10-05-2004 01:21 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Christy,
I'm so glad to hear your grandmother is showing some signs of improvement. I hope you'll continue to see progress -- it's great that you are staying close to her situation to get a sense of what's working and what isn't.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#3990 10-05-2004 02:02 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Christy
You have done well girl!! With you fighting in her corner your Grandmother has at least been given the chance to fight her way back.. Keep us up to date, and most importantly, look after yourself, girl....
Sunshine.. love and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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