She doesn't think radiation and chemo is that bad because she never went through it....

radiation from the neck up is tough...others can tell you more...my treatments start the 16th

Ruby:

Although the saying 'everybody is different' is true when it comes to reactions and responses to treatments. Its very irresponsible for someone who represents the american cancer society to even suggest its not that bad and you could care for yourself. Obviously she has never experienced oral cancer first hand and knows nothing about it. Please be smart and dont listen to someone with no experience with oral cancer. You may want to call the american cancer society and speak to a different person. They have a network set up with volunteers who drive patients for treatment. You should have been given the info instead of her own opinion and a wrong one at that.

You will need help. There are doctor appointments, daily radiation to get to, groceries, prescriptions, laundry, monitoring calories nutrition and water intake, even just the most basic household chores and bathing. On top of that you have a husband who needs a great deal of help and supervision.

Have you talked in detail to all your friends and relatives yet? Have you considered ataying with someone while you go thru treatments? What about going to the larger facility for treatments? Any thoughts on getting another opinion? There are so many inconsistancies with your doctor that you need to be on top of things. It sounds like you are getting the run around for scheduling a simple pet scan. That is something your doctors office should be doing for you.

Hoping things will get easier for you soon.

I just found out lately that Senior Citizen Centers will drive you to appointments . Give them a try too. Our local one does.

Just wanted to thank all of you. We couldn't move in with anyone. we have 3 dogs 1 cat, 11 chickens and two ponds full of fish. We live in California so we have to water everyday and feed. My husband can take care of all that with the help of a grandson, The drug store is going to deliever all of our drugs free, (which we spent enought there over the last 30 years) between us we take 23 drugs and I most likey will be adding new ones. Daughter is going to pay our bills on line I have it set up, grand daughter said all we had to do is call, but said she would be here everyday to see what we need, She can't do that she has 2 small kids one in school, but she will be here a lot and plans on doing our shopping. I'm going to go to senior center next week and see if they can help with rides when needed. Im also going to talk to the social worker at cancer center to make sure I know how an get help when I need it with peg and other problems that will come up. I get the pet scan on Sat. go to the cancer doctor on Tue. and radiation doc. on Wen. I was hopping to start on the 8th. but I don't see a doctor about the peg till the 12th. can the peg be put in after the radiation starts? looks like its going to happen, funny I can't wait The sooner it starts the sooner it ends and I won't have to set around worrying about it. Im funny that way if I gotta do it then lets get started. I hate the waiting, I have my mind set, its going to be bad, but I'm going to do it if it kills me as the old saying goes.

Ruby, Im so happy to hear you have rounded up the troops to help you. I was very concerned about your situation. Its better to have too much help and not need it than try to find help and dont have any. Dont forget to call back the american cancer society (dont talk to the colon cancer woman) ask for rides and if you need help with prescription costs. Some meds are very expensive.

Ask the social worker for a home health aid or preferably a visiting nurse. Insurance covers this. With having a peg tube, most hospitals will send a visiting nurse to check on your peg tube to make sure no infections and that you are getting proper nutrition.

Hope your pet scan comes out with good results. Let your granddaughter come daily, you may need her or she may be able to help your husband. Right now you need to line up all the help you can get.

thank you christine, I really hated to ask because it will be for so long. when I had my surgery, my grand daughter came home from the hospital with me. left the kids with her husband and wanted to stay all night, but I told her no so she came back every morning for a week and call a couple times a day. If I need her she will get a setter and come, just hate to take her away from her family, her husband has to cook for himself when she's not at home, he's sweet, but shouldn't have to come home and cook after an 12 hour day at work. she's the only one that don't work full time, the rest can help here and there. I think I'll wait on the cancer center till last, funny that lady made me cry and I don't know why, maybe because I didn't believe her, it was the first time that I cried in front of someone, I do my crying when I'm alone. I'm a odd ball. hope every thing is going alright for you, I haven't had much time to read the broad.
Have a good night.
Ruby

Ruby-If your grandaughter wants to help-let her. It's a good example for her young children to see people helping one another. As a young child my mom would take my sisters and I all over the place to help older people who needed a hand. We would even go to nursing homes just to visit people she had befriended.

Sue

Ruby,

Regarding the PEG surgery after the start of treatment. If you decide to do that, opt for the surgery on a Friday so that you have the weekend to recover. You will be sore for a couple of days and won't feel like moving around a lot. Also, make sure that, if possible, you have a home health aide/nurse show you how to use the PEG and what supplies are needed. Do you have insurance?? If so, it should (as Christine said) pay for the feeding supplement and supplies...a lot of companies are out there that will supply all of this, bill your insurance, and deliver it to your home.

Good luck with all of this...I know it feels like a mountain to climb. Once you start treatment, a lot of the stress will end and you will have to put your resources toward eating, drinking and healing.

Hugs, Deb

Ruby,

If your Granddaughter offered to help...I would let her do so. You will need assistance. You wouldn't be taking advantage of anyone...it's what family is for...Remember, if she didn't want to do it...she wouldn't have offered. She offered because she wants too.

Does your Hospital have a taxi/shuttle bus available for patients undergoing treatments? I would call and find out.


good luck