Son(49)dx 4yr ago w/tongue scc.Partof tongue removed,no chemo no rad dx clean.Recurred 1+ yr ago, saw doc 2-1/2 mo ago. dx stg IV scc large pt of tongue root & throat, mets to nk Lymph node. Team recommended 2, 5day inhosp chemo blasts, 2wks apart, if no tumor reduction,then they would would not go fwd with standard tmt-they were not optimistic. Disengaged tubing & left hosp. ama on 5thday. Team said w/o treatmt, 1 mo left. Was 8/12. Saw new team who thought 'cause HPV, he could be helped but neeeds 2,5-day chemo blasts to start 8/21,before standard tmt. Still will not accept tmt. Was the doctor right? Only 1 month? Since Chemo, his behavior borders on "psychotic". When on pain meds-does not sleep - acts like on speed; however, even when he stops meds, is still not completely "with it". Please help. He sometimes thinks he is "cured". Know we cannot force him to do anything, but what would be his prognosis w/o treatment? I feel so helpless and sad that he cannot be reached.

Oh Dear

i had one who"disengaged tubing "and left the hospital against medical advice.He had all the treatment and lived for 8 months.i have no idea how long he would have survived without it.I think this is one of those "how long is a piece of string "questions.

The psychotic behaviour could be caused by his meds,Rob had morphine psychosis which was very frightening.

Welcome to OCF. I wish you the best with your son's treatment. Im also in PA, are you anywhere near the Lehigh Valley area?

Have you spoken to the doctor about your son's mental capacity and the extreme mood changes he is going thru? If his mind isnt quite right, he wouldnt be competent enough to make these major health related decisions. Medications can sometimes make a sane person act delusional.

Live in Poconos; however, am orig. fr Altwn and all my connections are there. Son is in Massachusetts and there most of the time. According to Hosp. med. incomp parameters, he is OK.Research definitely proves "drug induced psychosis". For him Dilaudid.Right now watching the MSContin. Off meds 8/23--mood imp. by 9/2 but had to start ms 9/5. Still resisting--we think he is riding the "maybe I am really OK train". We do not know what to expect w/o treatment, let alone w/tmt.

Thank you all for responding--I feel so alone in this fight--powerless.

Liz--it is so very scary. Cared from him for 13 days like that--he slept 8 hrs, no food and became dehydrated--we had to force him to emerg for hydration. I thot I was in an asylum and the inmates were running show--I was crazy myself.

Can't you Baker Act him and at least get the chemo in him. Baker Act him again when the 2nd chemo is to be given.

Have you tried the American Cancer Society? They might have great advice and maybe someone locally to talk to your son. It wouldn't hurt to call...

1800 227 2345 main # in Texas...I believe it's 24/7

1888 227 5445 option 1

good luck

Thanks--don't know what Baker Act is but will investigage. Will also check with American Cancer Society.

First off I'm not a lawyer so maybe Jeff or another lawyer will help but Florida law allows you to seek a court order require that your son be evaluated to determine if he is fit to take care of himself. The law reads as follows:

[I]f there is reason to believe that he or she is mentally ill and because of his or her mental illness:

(a) 1. The person has refused voluntary examination after conscientious explanation and (a) disclosure of the purpose of the examination; or

(a) 2. The person is unable to determine for himself or herself whether the examination is (a) necessary; and

(b) 1. Without care or treatment, the person is likely to suffer from neglect or refuse to care for himself or herself; such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to his or her well-being; and it is not apparent that such harm may be avoided through the help of willing family members or friends or the provision of other services; or

(a) 2. There is a substantial likelihood that without care or treatment the person will cause serious bodily harm to himself or herself or others in the near future, as evidenced by recent behavior.

I would think that other States have a similar law on their books.