Hi my name is Pat and my husband has been diagonsed with Squamous Cell cancer. The adventure started on April 3rd when they thought they were taking a cycst from his lymph node and found out it was full of cancer. The surgeon just said that was not the primary cancer and our lives were going to change. He did a CT scan and found something suspious at the back of the tongue and at first they thought the pancreas as well. They sent him to Iowa City the University for a an appt with ENT. They explained that he had Squamous Cell cancer and thought that the primary was at the base of his tongue. When I asked what stage they said three or four because it was in the lymph nodes, they said 90% cure rate. I still to this day do not understand how those two things go together.
We started our chemo and radiation in early May. They gave him Cisplastin for chemo and he did not do so good. His kidney's were failing and they thought there would be permanment damage but now have told us that they are back to full function.
They now have changed his chemo to weekly and he does two types. One is the sister to the Cisplastin not as strong. He still gets pretty sick but at least he can function.
He just got a sore on the outside of his neck from radiation. It really looks bad and we have been bathing it with special solution. We are not half way through our 7 weeks of radiation. He already has his peg tube they put that in when his kidneys started to fail. He has still be able to eat but not much, he has lost about 16 lbs. Today he said that his throat is starting to hurt pretty bad.
Looking forward to meeting others that are on this journey
One Day At A Time
Pat

Your husband's situation w/ the nodes and base of tongue cancer are very similar to my husband's...and a frequent poster on here, DavidCPA. David's going to ask you if your husband's biopsy was sent for an HPV test. Some base of tongue and tonsil cancers have been linked to HPV and it appears that the success rate for these types of cancers is quite good.

The next half of his treatment and the following two weeks after treatment are going to be tough if he is having discomfort already. But, you'll get through it. Just make sure he stays hydrated and gets enough calories and protein. And, if he is not on pain medication tell the doctor's he is hurting when you go for radiation tomorrow.

And, keep posting here...there are many here who will help you and your husband get through this!

Hi, Welcome to OCF. Make sure that he takes in at least 3000 cals per day from now as this WAR only gets harder, but it can be won!! Make sure to get him on pain meds if needed. The less weight he looses the faster the healing process is. Good luck and GOD speed. Semper-Fi Bob

I am sorry to hear about your husband. I will praying for quick healing and for the pain to subside. There are many people here that a great supporters and great encouragers.

Pat, welcome to OCF. You will find lots of help and support to guide you thru these next few weeks. It is a difficult journey, but it can be done. The next few weeks will get progressively harder, just hang in there.

Please get your husband to stretch his mouth open wide several tiems per day. Also, even if its only a few sips, its very important for him to drink somethng everyday. Those two things will help to ensure he doesnt lose his swallowing ability and have problems with opening his mouth.

Please take a few minutes and add a signature line so we can easier answer your questions. Its a big help in getting to know you and your husband.

Best of luck with the continuing treatments.

Well it's not some BOT and tonsil cancers.... it's over 70% of them are HPV+ so I would request a test to determine if HPV is the culprit if nothing else for a little piece of mind as HPV+ SCC has been proven to respond better to Tx and (therefore) has a less of a chance to recur which may explain why his docs said 90% as mine did to.

Yes his Tx is and will be tough but do make sure he gets at least 2500 cals and 48ozs of water EACH and EVERY day from now through probably a year from now.

Also don't be alarmed if the few weeks POST Tx are his worst. That's pretty much the norm.

You hang in there to. This cancer affects many people, not just it's main target. This site is as much for you as it is for him.

Pat,

Silvidene cream worked great for my husband's radiation burns on his neck, we applied with a smooth tongue depressor after soaking with saline solution... These were totally healed 2 weeks after Tx stopped. He is now 4 weeks out and about 60%- starting to eat soft foods (after using magic mouthwash), more energy...doing yardwork- still needs to rest periodically, road still has some bumps but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Welcome to our home. We all are friends and we hate getting 2 more this way. but we'll take you and hug you both. Ther neck sores are part of the after affects from the rads and chemo as well as the sore throat. No one can say how long these will last so don't listen to any of that. We are all different and with different time lines for evrything it seems. It could be your husband will be like me and be told that it's a unique cancer. 2 yaers and that's what it still is LOL. I want a nmae for it but the only thing that gets renamed is me. LOL $!^{_)^#!#$% I used Aquafore ointment my Dr gave me and ot wasn't long after that my neck and face cleared up. Of course I had to have my teeth taken and rads seed implants inserted in my tongue , but that's a different story. Tell him I said good luck and just be tough.

Pat, you found a great place to take your journey, as I'm sure others will tell you. I am pretty new here myself, but it gives me something to look forward to after a hard day. My mom's can as a shock to us.. for the second time and it's like all the sudden life as you knew it is gone never to be the same. But, being positive, not giving in to it, and having a "family" here can make it go a lot easier, having people with similar, or even the same thing going through it with you can give a lot of insight on what to expect. whether you just need a day to vent, or something to share, or questions of anticipation.. this is absolutely the best place to be, when your not with your biological family, of course.

Lots of thoughts, prayers and hug!
Rachael