#77112 07-17-2008 09:04 PM | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 | Today is another day that I will never forget.
Dad had a CT scan last week and was scheduled for a PET scan today following his appointment with the H&N surgeon. The CT scan results were in but the doctor was running late so the PET scan has been rescheduled for Monday.
The CT scan showed two new tumors in his neck. There is another new tumor growing at the surgical site which is in the roof of the mouth. This tumor is extending up into his eye socket. His eye is now completely swollen shut. There are calcifications on the brain. The tumors on his neck drain and have a foul odor. He is vomiting daily and it's hard to get his nutrition in. He wears a fentanyl patch and takes percoset every 2 hours. He sleeps most of the day as he is too weak to do much of anything else.
There is no hope for a cure. Surgery is not an option. They are discussing more chemo and radiation. They say they will continue to fight the cancer until he say's that he has had enough. Unless the chemo and radiation will ease his pain he will not go through it.
So that's where we are. My only prayer is that they can keep him comfortable.
Thanks for listening.
Joy
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: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Joy i am so sorry to hear your news.I hope you can try and keep dad as comfortable as possible,and of course pain free.If you need to talk ,my e-mail is in my profile.
love liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | Joy, my heart goes out to your father and to you. What a long, hard road he has traveled. Please let him know that I have not posted often, but I have followed his journey, and I will keep him in my prayers. .....you too!
XO--COlleen
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
| | | | | 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 |
Joy:
Im so sorry to hear your father is doing poorly. It sounds like both of you are going thru a terrible time. Maybe the doc could increase your fathers patch so he wouldnt need the percoset. It may make him more comfortable. Can he keep anything down, even anti nasuea meds?
Does your father have a peg tube to help with nutrition? That might also make him feels a little better to stay hydrated.
I wish you the best with everything you are dealing with right now. I will keep both of you in my prayers.
Christine
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 2008 Posts: 73 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 73 | Joy,
Your father is great man who has won a battle already and ready to take on another.
Best of luck , your in my prayers.
- Avinash
My Father,
Age 59, T2N1M0, Stage 3, smoker left 5 years back, casual drinker , NACT with TAXOL +5FU+Cisplatin x 2, and 70 Gy in 35# from 03/10/08 to 04/26/08, no surgery, After Chemo cycles tumor reduced 60%,
Cancer Free now !
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Joy,
As you know, I will be praying for comfort and peace for your dad while I'm away.
I will be in touch when I'm back.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Joy, I'm so sorry. You and you Dad are in my thoughts and prayers. Have you had any contact with hospice yet? They are often the experts at keeping someone comfortable in such an awful situation.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 | Thank you all.
Hospice has not been mentioned yet. He is currently in pain management. He sees the RO Monday. I'm sure we will know more then.
It's all so much to take in right now. I'm thinking of what he needs from a medical standpoint and I'm racking my brain trying to make sure that I know everything I need to say to him and let him know. And I keep thinking..is there anything else that I need for him to tell me?? I'm sure in the last 19 months I've tried to say everything that I need to and ask everything I need to, but I'm so afraid that I've left something off and that it will come to me when it's too late and I wont be able to ask or tell him something. And that's when the reality hits me.
I hate this.
Joy
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: 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 am so very sorry that you and your family are facing such difficult times and decisions. Your Dad knows how much you love him. If you never had another conversation, he would know that. As far as medical questions, hopefully he will be able to participate in the decision making process.
We hate "this" with you.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 221 | Dad went to the RO Monday and they have decided that radiation will help shrink the tumors and provide some relief. Today he had the simulation and radiation is scheduled to start August 11th. He will have 15 treatments at the most.
He's very weak and continues to get weaker every day. In two weeks it may be impossible to get him out of the house and to the hospital for radiation an hour away.
We should have the results of his PET scan soon. Just waiting on the doctor to call with an appointment time.
Other than that I don't know much. Thank you all for your PM's and words of support. They really help.
Hugs,
Joy
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.
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