#70560 02-25-2008 06:08 PM | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 57 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 57 | After chemo treatments my brothers tumor has not shrunk, in fact it seems to have grown. Now it is pushing up against an artery. He has an appointment to see a cardiologist and to see a doctor at UIC using an experimental drug to see if the tumor can shrink. I feel numb. It feels so surreal. What do I do? I can't even think.
Last edited by little sister; 02-25-2008 06:15 PM.
Brother diagnosed SCC August 2005, radiation and chemo- 2 rounds, total glossectomy Sept. 2007, passed away May 21, 2008
"Everyday is beautiful" he stated on a cold and foggy Chicago winter day.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 57 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 57 | Sorry all. I should have posted this under a different forum but I am so upset I can not think straight. Please forgive me.
Brother diagnosed SCC August 2005, radiation and chemo- 2 rounds, total glossectomy Sept. 2007, passed away May 21, 2008
"Everyday is beautiful" he stated on a cold and foggy Chicago winter day.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 | I know exactly how you feel.
You wait. You hope. You pray. And in the in-between times, you wait, you hope and you pray some more.
CG to Father, 75 yo with SCC of the mouth; upper maxillectomy and neck diss. performed on 5/23/07. Father also suffered heart attack during surgery and now has CHF. RT complete on 8/28/07. Cancer back 11/27/07. RT and Chemo to start on 12/17. Cancer back 6/17/08. Finally at rest 08/08/08.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 | Lil Sis...no need for apology.....just know that we are thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way...keep us posted and know that there are those of us who truly care how you feel...
Lois & Buzz in NC
CG to 77 y/o hubby;SCC Alveolar Ridge; Wake Forest Baptist Hosp surgery: 07/19/07; bi mod radical resection/jaw replacement;
T2 N2-B M0 Stage IV-A
28 IMRT +
6 Paclitaxel/Carboplatin
Getting stronger every day!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I love how you express yourself - aching soul - and we here all know exactly what you mean and how you feel. We wait with you and are here to offer whatever help we can. Keep posting. Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | During radiation and chemo my husband was diagnosed with an additional positive tumor in his neck. When the treatments were over and he went for a PET scan he also had a positive tumor in his lung. It turned out to be a metastasis from the original mouth cancer. This all popped up while he was being treated. I know what you mean by aching soul. We both felt like we were in shock all over again. You think the treatment is working-bad side effects and all-and to find out it didn't, completely floors you. I'll be sending positive thoughts your way. Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 57 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 57 | Thank you all so very much. This site has been a God send. I have a very loving husband, children and friends but they do not know what I feel. Here unfortunately,I find those who do understand the pain I feel. My brother has to see a heart specialist tomorrow. Then we will see if he can continue his chemo treatment. He was also asked to see a doctor at the University of Chicago for some experimental drugs. I am keeping positive and do feel all your prayers and thoughts. Thank you all once again. I pray that you all whether patients or caretakers find the strength within to deal and for all to find the peace that you deserve.
Brother diagnosed SCC August 2005, radiation and chemo- 2 rounds, total glossectomy Sept. 2007, passed away May 21, 2008
"Everyday is beautiful" he stated on a cold and foggy Chicago winter day.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 38 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 38 | Dear little sister, I am a little sister, too, only this time around I was the sick one. So I know for a fact that you are exactly what your brother needs, so full of love and care, and he knows you would do anything on the face of the earth to help him. That is the best medicine you can offer him. Just be with him and you know what helps? Make yourself smile--no kidding. Really, I have found that the actual motion of smiling improves my outlook. You'd think it's the other way around, but PLEASE try it! Research shows that our brain follows that physical instruction and then registers more positive thoughts. Your smile spreads warmth and hope, which is just what he needs. The doctors will figure out how to best take care of his body, so trust them if you can. Your soul and his are together, so just BE together. Pray for calm in the storm, and think of only right now. Be grateful you have each other. Right now you are together. Really and truly, all we have is right now. I urge you to stay right in this moment with your brother. Make right now COUNT for both of you, okay? I know this is sooo hard, but you can do it. With your shared love, you can help your brother make the most of this very moment.
You are both in my prayers. Please keep us posted, okay? We care about you and your family. God bless you.
Non-smoker non-drinker, 50 when diagnosed 9/11/06 stage IV scc of oropharnyx, malignant lymph nodes both sides of neck. Cause=HPV16. Daily chemo & daily IMRT for 7 weeks. In 2 clinical trials at Johns Hopkins, good results. Peg tube out March 07. Update September 2014: gratefully in good health!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 | Carol,
What a terrific response! (Along with everyone elses too of course!) I lost my little brother to AIDS 9 yrs ago....different disease, same fears.
Be you, let him enjoy you, and follow the wondreful advice above. Normal is so important to everyone when all is so NOT normal.
I'll be thinking of you.
Donna
Donna
CG to Mom, dx 4/25/07 with tongue cancer,T3N0,tx began 7/6/07, 31 tx's of IMRT, 8 cycles of Erbitux. Brachytherapy, surgery, left neck dissection and temp trach placed all on 9/17/07, trach removed 10/17/07. ORN of jaw, late effect of radiation symptoms. **lost my beautiful mother on 5/5/11.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 79 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 79 | I am a big sister and have always worried about my brother. I'm sure that just having you around will be helpful for your brother.
My brother was treated at U of C by Dr. Volkes' team. Your brother may be going into the EPOC study (maybe not, though). The EPOC study splits people into two groups - feel free to PM me for more information on that. We found the doctors, nurses and entire staff at U of C to be wonderful. It really is a great place. If you have a laptop, you can get information on how to access the University's public network so that you can email/work/surf while you are at the hospital. If you want more info on Joe's cancer team, just ask.
Hang in there. I'm sure that your brother knows that you love him. I'll be thinking of you and your family.
Jean
* Root for Joe *
Sister of Joe (43, non-smoker/chewer; occ. drinker). Mouth problem 3/07. Diag with Stage I 6/07. Diag with Stage IV 9/07. In EPOC at Univ of Chicago. Cisplatin/cetuximab 1/wk x 8. Then, IMRT 5x/wk x 7 and weekly chemo. Done 12/21/07. Looks good as of 4/08, 7/08, 8/08, 1/09.
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