Go through chemo again, even if it may not help?

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hey_carrieann
hey_carrieann Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Once again, bad news for my family. My dad met with his ENT today who read his PET scan again. While his most recent round of chemo/rads did have some affect on the cancer, it has spread. The doctor has already said no more radiation, and thinks that more chemo would be futile.

I keep trying to think positively, but it has become more and more difficult with each day.

Have any of you with SCC faced the same problems? Did you live to tell about it? 6 months is the number being thrown around, more chemo or not.

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  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    Hi Carrieann


    Sorry to hear the bad news but don’t give up hope. I did not have the same type of cancer I had NPC it came back on me three times and I am still here to help others with this stuff know that you can bet this stuff, just never give up and keep fighting.

    All the best to you and your Dad
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #3
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    months years who really knows
    My dad had Head and Neck cancer they gave him a year but he did not make it , He died from something else before the cancer spread. My mom had Colon cancer a good chance to live she died after 3 months from something else, yet I think they are listed in the cancer death rate but their cancer was listed as secondary, My husband in MArch was give 6 months then one year with out treatment maybe 2 with , Only Chemo no radaition, because he had Larynx Squamous cell cancer that spread to his lungs. So these are only what doctors think, they have no real answers for 100%. So Each person is special and many things can happen. I have seen people given a month live years and people given years live months. There is no honest answer to your question. I think we just trust things we understand and fear things we can not find answers for.
    My husband is doing second round of Chemo the first two round shrank the tumors 30-40 % with one being completly gone. then the next two rounds they did not shrank but they did not grow. So Who knows!
    Maybe I am living a fake dream but I think he will still bet it. I believe that only god knows for sure what will be.
    I know this may sound silly but if I was told I could not do something , Well I would try to prove them wrong! Maybe another doctor or different Chemo?
    Maybe I am rambling on trying to find a way to say don't give up. Giving up would be so many regrets. Try to stay positive and look for things to help you figure out what to do next. Sorry If this does not help you very much but it comes from my heart.
  • Barry Keith
    Barry Keith Member Posts: 11
    #4
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    Same for me as well
    I read on here about all the lucky ones, they have it cut out/receive some rads and or CHEMO, then they survive and write about sore throats, or they can't sleep well!

    I'm going through the same thing. I've had 5 major surgeries in the past two years, in 2008 they thought they got it all and made a flap from my left wrist. After 30 rounds of rads it was back in about 8 months.
    Three surgeries in November/December, flap problems because of the previous rads I couldn't heal so the flaps they cut from my thighs wouldn't hold....followed by another 30 rounds of rads and, this time, six weeks of chemo. About 8 months later, it came back again (or maybe they never got it all to begin with?).
    Final surgery was in August. They say I can't have anymore because it was in too close to my carodid (spell?) artery. Any closer and I would bleed to death.
    Now I can't have any more radiations either.

    So, I'm going through what ever they can do with remaining CHEMO. I'm on a six/seven week cycle for the first drug, then I'll go on to the next, depending on how I react---of course, I can say stop at any time.
    I've been told that chemo won't kill it, but perhaps slow it down a little. The doc said I would be lucky if I say Christmas 2011.

    Right now, I'm trying to make all my final plans, to make sure my family is taken care of (already found one insurance that has my wife's name wrong! good thing I'm looking into these)

    I wish I had words that wouldn't be depressing, but for me at least, I take it that it is what it is....Plan for the worst, hope for the best..........However, miracles do happen.
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #5
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    Barry Keith said:

    Same for me as well
    I read on here about all the lucky ones, they have it cut out/receive some rads and or CHEMO, then they survive and write about sore throats, or they can't sleep well!

    I'm going through the same thing. I've had 5 major surgeries in the past two years, in 2008 they thought they got it all and made a flap from my left wrist. After 30 rounds of rads it was back in about 8 months.
    Three surgeries in November/December, flap problems because of the previous rads I couldn't heal so the flaps they cut from my thighs wouldn't hold....followed by another 30 rounds of rads and, this time, six weeks of chemo. About 8 months later, it came back again (or maybe they never got it all to begin with?).
    Final surgery was in August. They say I can't have anymore because it was in too close to my carodid (spell?) artery. Any closer and I would bleed to death.
    Now I can't have any more radiations either.

    So, I'm going through what ever they can do with remaining CHEMO. I'm on a six/seven week cycle for the first drug, then I'll go on to the next, depending on how I react---of course, I can say stop at any time.
    I've been told that chemo won't kill it, but perhaps slow it down a little. The doc said I would be lucky if I say Christmas 2011.

    Right now, I'm trying to make all my final plans, to make sure my family is taken care of (already found one insurance that has my wife's name wrong! good thing I'm looking into these)

    I wish I had words that wouldn't be depressing, but for me at least, I take it that it is what it is....Plan for the worst, hope for the best..........However, miracles do happen.

    Sorry
    Barry,
    I am so sorry that this happened to you , I know how hard it is on you and your wife. It is a struggle to stay positive with news like this. I believe miracles happen all the time. That is what We keep thinking . I think in telling your story , It gives others though about things. Each day we try not to focus on the bad things but they still slither into our minds. But I keep thinking maybe tomorrow there will be a cure. Or a new drug. Anything is possible . That is what we cling to. We have to have hope .

    Jennie
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    #6
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    Sorry that is the news that you got
    I truly hope he lives the time he has left to the fullest. I've had two friends pass away recently one from cancer one from a car accident. I felt more sorrow for the car accident victim. She didn't have the chance to live life to the fullest before she passed. Help you Dad cherish every moment.
  • carolinagirl67
    carolinagirl67 Member Posts: 153
    #7
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    Tough Decision
    It is a tough decision that only your dad can make with the help and support of the family. My husband is SCC that started in the tonsil (June 2009) it has spread to lymph nodes in the chest and then to his small intenstines and bone. We have three more chemo's since it initially spread. My husband is 57 and realively healthy and wanted to keep fighting. I told him it was his decision since he would be the one dealing with the side effects. I have to tell you I am glad he is still fight and actually doing quite well. We are able to still enjoy life and each other. I am sorry your dad is faced with this as it is really a hard decision. I am thankful for the additional time we have been given and who knows. Maybe they'll find one that will at least keep the cancer from spreading further. My heart goes out to you.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #8
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    carolinagirl67 said:

    Tough Decision
    It is a tough decision that only your dad can make with the help and support of the family. My husband is SCC that started in the tonsil (June 2009) it has spread to lymph nodes in the chest and then to his small intenstines and bone. We have three more chemo's since it initially spread. My husband is 57 and realively healthy and wanted to keep fighting. I told him it was his decision since he would be the one dealing with the side effects. I have to tell you I am glad he is still fight and actually doing quite well. We are able to still enjoy life and each other. I am sorry your dad is faced with this as it is really a hard decision. I am thankful for the additional time we have been given and who knows. Maybe they'll find one that will at least keep the cancer from spreading further. My heart goes out to you.

    Glad for You that He's Fighting
    Like you, I hope that while this chemo is holding the monster at bay, docs are coming up with something new to wipe it out.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #9
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    Barry Keith said:

    Same for me as well
    I read on here about all the lucky ones, they have it cut out/receive some rads and or CHEMO, then they survive and write about sore throats, or they can't sleep well!

    I'm going through the same thing. I've had 5 major surgeries in the past two years, in 2008 they thought they got it all and made a flap from my left wrist. After 30 rounds of rads it was back in about 8 months.
    Three surgeries in November/December, flap problems because of the previous rads I couldn't heal so the flaps they cut from my thighs wouldn't hold....followed by another 30 rounds of rads and, this time, six weeks of chemo. About 8 months later, it came back again (or maybe they never got it all to begin with?).
    Final surgery was in August. They say I can't have anymore because it was in too close to my carodid (spell?) artery. Any closer and I would bleed to death.
    Now I can't have any more radiations either.

    So, I'm going through what ever they can do with remaining CHEMO. I'm on a six/seven week cycle for the first drug, then I'll go on to the next, depending on how I react---of course, I can say stop at any time.
    I've been told that chemo won't kill it, but perhaps slow it down a little. The doc said I would be lucky if I say Christmas 2011.

    Right now, I'm trying to make all my final plans, to make sure my family is taken care of (already found one insurance that has my wife's name wrong! good thing I'm looking into these)

    I wish I had words that wouldn't be depressing, but for me at least, I take it that it is what it is....Plan for the worst, hope for the best..........However, miracles do happen.

    Sorry to Hear, Barry
    Hope you turn out to be much luckier than your doc's prognosis. Development of new regiments keeps me hopeful. I know, though, that there's no way you can say "It could all be fine - I could go into spontaneous remission", and not worry any more. Wish you could - and be right.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #10
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    Sorry to Hear Your Dad's News
    I don't have any experience with long term survival - wish I could give you words of encouragement. I'm sure it is hard to think positively sometimes. Please let us know what your father decides to do. Hoping for the best.
  • hey_carrieann
    hey_carrieann Member Posts: 8
    #11
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    Hondo said:

    Hi Carrieann


    Sorry to hear the bad news but don’t give up hope. I did not have the same type of cancer I had NPC it came back on me three times and I am still here to help others with this stuff know that you can bet this stuff, just never give up and keep fighting.

    All the best to you and your Dad

    Thank you. All we have at
    Thank you. All we have at this point is hope.
  • hey_carrieann
    hey_carrieann Member Posts: 8
    #12
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    Pam M said:

    Sorry to Hear Your Dad's News
    I don't have any experience with long term survival - wish I could give you words of encouragement. I'm sure it is hard to think positively sometimes. Please let us know what your father decides to do. Hoping for the best.

    On we go
    Dad has decided to try chemo. Whether or not he can go through with it depends on a lot of things. The cancer is spreading quickly. I am absolutely terrified, as is my mom. It's really heartbreaking. I hate that anyone ever has to go through this.

    Bless you.
  • MistyB
    MistyB Member Posts: 1
    #13
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    Same Thing
    Hey CarrieAnne! My dad is going through the exact same thing as your dad. We are waiting to hear on Tuesday if his oncologist decides to stop any further medical interventions and just go with hospice. I want him to keep fighting and I don't want to give up any hope for a longer survival, but just seeing how the radiation has taken it's toll and he is seriously miserable. It's breaking my heart to pieces. He's a fighter but just his eyes tell me he can't do much more. I wanted you to know that you can lean on me for support, as I will lean on the others here as well. Please keep me posted with his progress and how your holding on.
    Misty
  • Barry Keith
    Barry Keith Member Posts: 11
    #14
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    hey_carrieann said:

    On we go
    Dad has decided to try chemo. Whether or not he can go through with it depends on a lot of things. The cancer is spreading quickly. I am absolutely terrified, as is my mom. It's really heartbreaking. I hate that anyone ever has to go through this.

    Bless you.

    DOCETAXEL
    This is the first one they're tryin on me. I took my second dose on Thursday. I elected to have them install a Port, I didn't have one back in March during my first round however I am tiered to being poked. I bet your Dad is too.

    They give me the dexamethasone to help prevent allergic reactions. The nausea is still a killer for me though.

    First dose wasn't so bad, however this week it seems like I can barely swallow; I haven't slept too well because of this...we'll see how the week goes by....next treatment is on Thursday.
    You don't say but how does your dad communicate? Can he talk or write?
  • hey_carrieann
    hey_carrieann Member Posts: 8
    #15
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    MistyB said:

    Same Thing
    Hey CarrieAnne! My dad is going through the exact same thing as your dad. We are waiting to hear on Tuesday if his oncologist decides to stop any further medical interventions and just go with hospice. I want him to keep fighting and I don't want to give up any hope for a longer survival, but just seeing how the radiation has taken it's toll and he is seriously miserable. It's breaking my heart to pieces. He's a fighter but just his eyes tell me he can't do much more. I wanted you to know that you can lean on me for support, as I will lean on the others here as well. Please keep me posted with his progress and how your holding on.
    Misty

    Fighting on
    Misty, I know exactly how you feel. I want and need my dad to keep on fighting, but this terrible thing has taken it's toll. All I can do is hold his hand when he's scared and offer comfort. He has just received his second dose of Erbitux yesterday, and it really has seemed to make a difference for the better. I know it wont cure him, but it is giving us a little more time.

    I hope that you and yours can stay strong, it's really all you can do.

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