#67507 01-14-2008 09:32 AM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 69 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: May 2006 Posts: 69 | Just arrived back from the hospital from seeing the team .. the CT scan shows that cancer tumours in the tongue, neck and lungs are growing. 10% growth in the lungs in a period of one month.. 7 weeks of radiation and 3 rounds of chemo to the neck and lungs has had no effect on the lungs... even the oral cancer that existed on the tongue but was removed through surgery in June 2006 has also some how developed into something again ..
With her weak state they have decided to hold off from trying any drugs/treatment for a month. They say the average patient in this type of state, - where the cancer is not responding to treatment and with the growth levels .. the doctor is suggesting maybe 6 months... tho he cant really say ..
I dont know what options are left, dont even know where to turn to..
Last edited by herson; 01-14-2008 09:33 AM.
the world brought me to my knees... Update: Feb 10/08: Mom passed away on Jan 31,08 - infection (unknown) in her lungs with her weakened immune system resulted in cardiac arrest - T2NO SCC of tongue surgery 6/30/06, SCC left neck and lungs detected Sept 07, 7 weeks rad/3 rounds chemo had no effect.
| | | | 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 to hear about your mother. This must be such a difficult time for you. Try to stay strong. I will say a prayer for you and your mom.
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: May 2007 Posts: 632 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 | I know exactly where you're coming from. What's your mom's take on this? For me, although chemo did shrink lung tumour by more than 50%, I know from my very visible and obvious symptoms in my neck, and the acute pain in my back and chest that things have moved on fast in the last couple of months. My nearest and dearest know that I will accept palliative therapies which don't impact on my Quality of Life, but if they're not even offered, am going with the pain control/comfort option as soon as I can get it! I have next biopsy Wednesday, rwsults and evaluation 2 weeks later. What does your mom say/think/feel? How old is she?
Brenda
Brenda in UK--Diagnosis 30/5/07--undifferentiated carcinoma in right jawbone and muscles. Stage 4 6/7/07--new diagnosis primary is in lung. Finished 4cycles of palliative carboplatin/gemcitabine therapy September 07 Now dying to live!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Herson and Brenda, I hate this OC for doing this . I have your mother in my prayers and wish her well and you kkep you strength herson. I t will be tough on both of you. Brenda, I hope your biopsies show some type of improvment . You are a special person to me > One that has helped me thru some hard times and gave me courage. You are still in the prayers and will remain there..
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 69 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: May 2006 Posts: 69 | My mom is 50, will be turning 51 in june..
She doesnt know that the average patient in her condition has "6 months" .. its something i asked when she was not in the room. She knows that the cancer is growing in her lungs/neck/tongue .. and she knows that as of right now they are deciding not to do anything .. .. though .. im sure she can tell, she has become weak and just like yourself she can feel the pain and so on throughout her neck/back/shoulders ...
I dont know if I should tell her, the doctor never told her, I really dont know anything no more
Since they have decided to relook at her in one month, I plan to look at some alternative treatments ..though the doctor said nothing has been proven, .. its better than just sitting around .. i think .. dont know how mom feels .. im sure we will all talk sometime today or this week ..
.. oral cancer .. never even heard of it .. now its the only thing i think about
the world brought me to my knees... Update: Feb 10/08: Mom passed away on Jan 31,08 - infection (unknown) in her lungs with her weakened immune system resulted in cardiac arrest - T2NO SCC of tongue surgery 6/30/06, SCC left neck and lungs detected Sept 07, 7 weeks rad/3 rounds chemo had no effect.
| | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 | TALK to her! You feel rotten so imagine how she feels!! I knew I had cancer from Jan 11th 2006, took til June to get definitive diagnosis, am just past the 6 month stage and still 'hoping for the best, preparing for the worst' Instead of researching alternative treatments or 'sitting around', take her out for the day, get the family photo album out, just ask her 'How do you feel? What do you think's going on?' type questions--judge your responses from that. I've wanted to know from day 1, but lots of people don't -- and that's okay! caregivers need to 'go with the flow', but can only do that if they know the level of their loved one's understanding of their disease and how they want to handle it. Your mom is young, and sounds like she may have a fighting chance--go with what the regular docs say and suggest. Save your energy for being with/talking to mom, rather than looking at 'alternatives' which may be costly and ineffective. 'What will be, will be'--make the most of your time with mom Brenda
Brenda in UK--Diagnosis 30/5/07--undifferentiated carcinoma in right jawbone and muscles. Stage 4 6/7/07--new diagnosis primary is in lung. Finished 4cycles of palliative carboplatin/gemcitabine therapy September 07 Now dying to live!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 93 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 93 | Herson,
I'm so sorry for your mom and you. You both are in my thoughts. First of all has your mom been to a Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), as stated on this site many times before, they have the best and most up to date knowledge on this cancer. It might be worth looking into, you never know what cutting edge therapies is out there. If that is not an option, does your mom have good pain control medications, it will make a difference in the quality of her days. Be sure she gets what she needs to be comfortable. I hope the best for the both of you, and if not a miracle, then peace and acceptable.
Been there,
Nancy
Caregiver to sister Connie, dx 2005, scc tongue, 4 surgeries inc. radical left side neck dissection 7/06, 35 IMRT, and 7 cisplatin 2/07, passed away 8-11-07, 51 yrs. young, fought with courage, strength and grace, found peace on her new journey.
| | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 | Meant June 07, not 06. And cheers to everything Nancy said. Brenda
Brenda in UK--Diagnosis 30/5/07--undifferentiated carcinoma in right jawbone and muscles. Stage 4 6/7/07--new diagnosis primary is in lung. Finished 4cycles of palliative carboplatin/gemcitabine therapy September 07 Now dying to live!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 | Herson,
Your mom is so young. We will keep you and your mom in our thoughts and prayers.
Margaret ---------- C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx) Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3) Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
| | | | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hi Herson,
Your mom is four years older than me, my heart goes out to you as a mother. I probably have children your age and I know that they worry every day that they're going to lose me to this cancer and they know it's a very real possibility.
I talk to my girls alot about the cancer, what could happen, what will happen if IT happens and how they will be fine without me, etc. It helps them to share their feelings and fears with me. The oldest have made me promise to not keep anything from them. They want to know if I've been told I have a limited time left, because there are alot of things they want to do with me before that time passes. Your mom probably feels the same, and I bet you do also. She deserves to know how long the docs feel she has, she deserves to decide what to do with her time remaining AND to have this time to start learning how to accept it and deal with it.
Love, Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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