Hi Everyone,
My husband (47 years old) was recently diagosed with stage 3 throat cancer. He is undergoing radiation along with chemotherapy, with the hope of shrinking the tumors. It has metastasised to the lymph nodes on both sieds of the neck, but according to a recent PET scan, it hasn't moved elsewhere.
It is currently inoperable because of the involvement of the coratiod artery and the other large vessels in the neck.
I guess I am hoping to find a support group that I can lean on when times get tough. Its hard being the spouse of someone who is going thru such a difficult time. He had a PAG tube installed today, because the docs seem to think that in the near future the radiation will begin to make it difficult for him to swallow.
I would love to hear from others who understand what we are experiencing.

Leslie,

Im sorry to hear what you and your husband are going through and I wish you the best in winning this battle.

Being a caregiver is one of the toughest jobs there is and your husband is lucky to have you by his side. You have come to the right place for support and you will find that some of the most caring people in the world will be here soon to answer any questions you have.

Jerry

I've been reading lots of previous posts and have learned lots in a very short period of time. Primarily, that we have a long and difficult road ahead of us, but we also have positive attitudes, and believe that we will see this thru to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Can someone explain to me some of the lingo listed underneath each persons name?
For instance: SCC? of the _______
Cisplatin (which is what my husband is currently getting) x 3?
Thanks for your replies....

Leslie,
One place on this forum I found to be a valuable source of information is the following:

Go to the main Forum List.
Go to the last topic "Getting through it project" and click on it
Go to the 5th topic down "Draft Copy" and click on it.
At the top will be a link "GTI draft copy, click on it.

Something that will be helpful to others who will post answers to your questions is for you to put in your signature a description and stage of your husbands cancer, what type of treatment/how many he is having, when did he start treatment. Take a look at what others have posted in there signature.

Base on my experience and what I have read, the symptoms such as sore mouth and excess moucus will start around the 4th/5th week.
What is really important now is to keep the nutrition and hydration up. My doctors instructed me to take in at least 2,600 calories and drink 48 oz of water a day. This is very important to the healing process. When I could not take food in by mouth I was pouring 6 cans a day (2 per feeding) of Carnation instant breakfast VHC (560 calories per can) drinks down my peg tube a day. The nutrionist at the hospital ordered these for me and charged it to my insurance. It was delivered to my house.

If he is on a lot of pain medication, make sure he is taking a stool softener to prevent constipation.

I took Cisplatin and 5fu for my chemo at the first and fouth week of my treatment in which I was in the hospital for 5 days each on a 96 hour drip. Everyones treatment can be different.

Keep posting all your questions and comments. There is a great support group on here that will help.

Hi Leslie,

I wish you and your husband all the best with the battle ahead. It will by no means be easy but you can expect a huge amount of support from the people on this site. They have a wealth of knowledge and many will have been where you are going.

SCC stand for 'Squamous Cell Carcinoma' which is the type of cancer that most, but not all, of us are battling (or have beaten). Cisplatin x 3, just means that the person had 3 treatments with Cisplatin. Personally I had x5 (was supposed to be x6).

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions please fell free to ask. Good luck!

Sue

Leslie:

Welcome to OCF. You will find lots of abbreviations used, sorry but I couldnt find the post where they were listed. What is under the signatures are facts about the persons diagnosis and treatment, etc. It greatly helps people responding to your posts if you have info listed.

You will also find here lots of support and answers to your questions. How far is your husband into his treatments? Is he being treated at a cancer center? If you have questions, feel free to ask away, you will get lots of help thru this difficult time.

Leslie,
I was given this list shortly after joining and found it to be helpful.

Acronyms:
BaCC = Basil Cell Carcinoma
Biopsy = tissue sample removed for microscopic examination
BOT = Base of tongue
Brachytherapy = Radiation therapy with internal radioactive �seeds�
CAT = Computed Axial Tomography (scan)
CCC = Cancer Care Center
CT = Computed (computer) Tomography (scan)
Dives = treatments in a HBO unit
DX = Diagnosis
ENT = Ear Nose and Throat Doctor and surgeon
FNA = Fine Needle Aspiration � (Needle Biopsy)
HBO(T) = Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments
HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HN = Head and neck
HNC = Head and Neck Cancer
HPV = Human Papilloma Virus
IMRT = Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
Met(s) = Metastasis or cancer spread
MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging (scan)
NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network
PCP = Primary Care Physician
PEG = Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastronomy (G tube or tube) Feeding
PET = Positron Emission Tomography (scan)
PT = Physical Therapist
QOL = Quality Of Life
RND = Radical Neck Dissection (sometimes Resection) also Modified
RO = Radiation Oncologist
RT = Radiation Therapy also Radiotherapy (Radio)
RX = Prescription or treatment
SCC(a) = Squamous Cell Carcinoma also SqCCA and sq cell ca
TX = Treatment
Xerostomia = low saliva
XRT = X ray Radiation Therapy

Welcome, and sorry you are having to go through this. I think this whole ordeal is harder on the caregivers than on the patients.

Are there plans to do a neck dissection after the radiation and chemo?

Lots of great information here, both in the Search areas and from the forums. Keep coming back!

Thanks so much for the list of terms..it will make future readings and postings more informative and accurate.

Leslie,

You are already doing two things that are the biggest help to you and your hubby:

You have found this board and.....you are reading, reading, reading. Taking time to read a lot here...not only the boards here but all the information the main site provides gives you a lot of ammunition to fight this battle.

There are a whole host of amazing people on this board and their ability to provide insight into many subjects regarding OC (Oral Cancer) is such a help when you feel so alone. You will receive answers to not only the medical/technical questions but also the emotional issues everyone faces with this disease.

So, keep doing what you are doing..you are helping yourself by reading as much as you can and we will be here when you have questions.

Deb