falling apart, stage 4/ aggressive treatment radiation and chemo for 6 weeks

bettyannew

Hello, we went to our first appointment yesterday at the cancer center.  The cancer started in his tonsil, than spread to his throat, tongue, and a lymp knod, He has been seeing his primary doctor off and on with complaints of sore throat and ear pain, between dr. Cancelling his appointments, seeing different ones in his office due to his dr. Didnt have an opening, his dr knew hes on strong pain meds due to nerve damage stemming from a failed back surgery, isnt a primary doctor suppose to take everything a patient is on and health issues into account, in referring a patient to see a specialist, I finally was so scared, as I looked down his throat with just a flash light, and didnt like what I saw.  And his primary dr. Didnt see this??  So I went with him and he saw another dr. In the same office as his dr is in... first thing I said, my husband needs a referral here, this has been going on for months, keep giving him a z pack, the lab comes back no strep, red flag here.  So this dr. Did refer him to see a ENT specialist.  We go in fast in 4 days, he did a biopse and did confirm my fears, he said he has tonsil cancer, did the biopse from his tonsil.  And in his knod, side of his neck.  He checked his vocal cords, they are good.  He made us an appt at the cancer center, radioligy.  We saw him yesterday.  Triple bad news.  He says the biopse from his tonsil came back cancer.  Ok we knew fhis, but this doctor said, it spread to his tongue, throat, and knod. How can one dr say one thing and this one another...im in shock here, very emotional here...waiting on if it caused by a virus, he said thats more treatable, dont understand this...treatment is 6 months of aggressive treatment radiation with chemo.  Anyone in this forum who is and going this. What is this prognoises sp? Im so scared for my  husband, please someone help me understand this, im scared....I need some info here,  please help me to understand.  Bettyannew

Ladylacy

So sorry

So sorry to hear what you are going thru with your husband.  But you are in a good place for help.  While my husband didn't have the same type of cancer, his is laryngeal cancer, then a second primary at the cervical of his esophagus and now spread to his lungs.  You need to see a head and neck specialist with experience in the type of cancer your husband has.  You also need to feel comfortable with your doctors and make a list of questions and ask them.

Doctors can look at something and if they are experienced enough they can tell right off if it is cancer or not.  But a biopsy will definitely confirm it.  Radiation on the head and neck area is one of the hardest but it is very doable.  My husband had 35 radiation and 3 chemo treatments the first time and then surgery.  Second time he had another 37 radiation and 7 chemo treatments. 

Please if the doctor says a PEG (feeding tube is needed) get one.  He may or may not need it but it is better to have it going into treatment then waiting to have one inserted during treatment.  It will be very necessary for your husband to stay hydrated during radiation and chemo.  The fluid will be needed to flush the chemo thru the kidneys.  Something mine didn't do the first time around and ended up with having to have IV fluids several times a week for a couple of weeks. 

Those that are on this forum that have had this type of cancer can tell you more.  But remember everyone is different in how they respond to radiation and chemo.  No two people are alike.  It will be hard and yes you will both be a nervous wreck.  But try to stay calm (I know much easier to say than do) but you will not be alone.  People on this site will be a great help to you.

Wishing you and your husband the best -- Sharon

bettyannew

Ladylacy said:

So sorry

So sorry to hear what you are going thru with your husband.  But you are in a good place for help.  While my husband didn't have the same type of cancer, his is laryngeal cancer, then a second primary at the cervical of his esophagus and now spread to his lungs.  You need to see a head and neck specialist with experience in the type of cancer your husband has.  You also need to feel comfortable with your doctors and make a list of questions and ask them.

Doctors can look at something and if they are experienced enough they can tell right off if it is cancer or not.  But a biopsy will definitely confirm it.  Radiation on the head and neck area is one of the hardest but it is very doable.  My husband had 35 radiation and 3 chemo treatments the first time and then surgery.  Second time he had another 37 radiation and 7 chemo treatments. 

Please if the doctor says a PEG (feeding tube is needed) get one.  He may or may not need it but it is better to have it going into treatment then waiting to have one inserted during treatment.  It will be very necessary for your husband to stay hydrated during radiation and chemo.  The fluid will be needed to flush the chemo thru the kidneys.  Something mine didn't do the first time around and ended up with having to have IV fluids several times a week for a couple of weeks. 

Those that are on this forum that have had this type of cancer can tell you more.  But remember everyone is different in how they respond to radiation and chemo.  No two people are alike.  It will be hard and yes you will both be a nervous wreck.  But try to stay calm (I know much easier to say than do) but you will not be alone.  People on this site will be a great help to you.

Wishing you and your husband the best -- Sharon

this helps

Sharon, thankyou so much for the fast reply back.  I just read what you wrote to my husband, we are crying together here, so much emotions here.  Just so much info to take in....so over whelming.... 35 plus years of marriage here, 3 grown kids and 1 grandbaby....

Again, thank you.

Bettyannew

 

 how is your husband doing?  How are you doing.... my husband is 61 years young....

olybee

bettyannew said:

this helps

Sharon, thankyou so much for the fast reply back.  I just read what you wrote to my husband, we are crying together here, so much emotions here.  Just so much info to take in....so over whelming.... 35 plus years of marriage here, 3 grown kids and 1 grandbaby....

Again, thank you.

Bettyannew

 

 how is your husband doing?  How are you doing.... my husband is 61 years young....

Falling apart, stage 4

I don't check into this site much anymore, but Betty, I was in your same place two years ago.  My husband had been going to his primary care doctor for over a year complaining of swollen tonsil, pain in his upper neck and something going on with the nerve leading to his ear - ringing, clicking sounds, etc.  Finally, when a golf-ball sized lump appeared on the outside of his throat, we got sent to an ENT.  Within two weeks he was diagnosed with cancer, underwent a radical neck dissection where they took out both tonsils, 35 lymph nodes, his left carotid artery, and of course lots of muscle/tissue damage.  he then underwent treatment - radiation only - but it was a scary trip to go from, hum, something seems not quite right to "you've got stage 4 cancer." 

All I can say is that we're two years downstream, life is good because he's still with me.  He's gonna turn 65 this year, so wow, we're looking at a new phase, medicare!  Bob lives what everybody comes to know as the "new normal."  Nope, he's certainly not the same man he was before all of this, but he's so much more, and so am I.  He's here and to watch his sons setting off to college and who knows what next stages in life.  Just know that this isn't a death sentence, and keep positive, listen to all the great advice that can be given to folks on this forum, and then live each day as fully as you can.  That's really all I can offer, but I hope that helps.  I am amazed at all the great folks that are on this site that can offer support and guidance.  I'm praying for you and yours and hoping you get through this with growth and smiles on your faces.

- Kathy

donfoo

Welcome to csn

Hi Betty,

Very sorry to hear about your experience with oral cancer. Your anxiety from what you have been through so far is totally normal. Getting run around and delayed to be referred to a cancer center must have been so frustrating. It is a big milestone to now being cared for by professionals at a cancer center.  It is horrible to learn the cancer is beyond the tonsil but it is better to know the true extent of the disease now and be under the care of those who recognize and have the experience to treat it. 

You have many common questions and concerns. Take a couple deep breaths and start reading the posts here and you will be gain lots of answers. There is a superthread up top that directs you to lots of good topics. Another site, Oral Cancer Foundation is excellent and directly supported by medical and scient proffessionals. All their material is reviewed and vetted so it is the place to go for accurate information. 

good luck, don

phrannie51

Betty...I'm sorry you had to look for us

but am so glad you found us!!  There are many people here who have had tonsil cancer, and tongue cancer....and are alive to tell their stories.  What you describe....the delays, the zpac's, etc. are pretty much in everybody's story....weeks and months from the first trip into a Dr. to final diagnosis.  I started going to the Dr. the first of January 2012, and finally got diagnosed in March....yet treatment took another 6 weeks to get started.  For most of us, it was a swollen lymph node that got us going to a Dr. in the first place.  It's going to be ok.....the Drs. have a handle on it now, and for the next couple weeks you're going to be in a whirlwind of activity getting a PET scan, mask made, chemo scheduled, rads scheduled....etc etc.

This cancer is very survivable....and tho the treatment is hard it is doable....On this forum you'll find people just starting, like you guys....people in the middle of treatment, and a whole bunch of folks who have already been through it.  The Drs. take care of the medical end of things....we will tuck you under our wings and help get your hubby through treatment the best way he can.  One of the most wonderful parts of hanging out on this forum, is that you'll get many ideas, so if one thing doesn't work, there are 20 in the wings waiting to be tired.

I had nasopharyngeal carcinoma (SCC behind the nose).....I had 7 weeks of radiation concurrent with Cisplatin chemo every three weeks....then I had another 3 chemo treatments (Cisplatin and 5FU) after radiation was over.  I started treatment in April, and the last chemo came the end of August....I was back to work full time in mid-October. 

Do stick around this board....we'll help you and hubby get through this.  Nobody ever came here not scared....but that passes....to be honest, emotionally from now till the day treatment begins is the hardest part of all this to get through, but you will.  Keep coming here and talking it out....we can ease some of that fear....and help you get prepared for what is to come.  It IS going to be ok....

BTW....I was 61 when I was diagnosed.....we're young enough to handle this beast

p

j4mie

Hang in there...

Hi Betty,

I (as caregiver) am one of the people P refers to above as in the middle of treatment. My husbands diagnosis was very similar to your husbands. Pat, my husband, also went to the Dr. complaining for a while until the Dr. ran out of any other ideas but to do a FNA. By the time we finally understood that it was tonsil cancer, my husband had had a swollen lymph node for several months. Anyway, we are here now, he is receiving treatment (complete tonsillectomy, neck dissection with removal of 29 nodes and 16 more rads to go until we get to ring the finish bell), and so far all is well. 

As people have mentioned above, it is pretty common for this type of cancer to be more advanced by the time it is finally diagnosed, and it is very treatable most times even though it is advanced. In our exoerience so far, the time spent waiting from the diagnosis to the actual start of treatment is one of the worst times. So, my best advice to anyone who is just starting the journey is to hang in there, try to take one day at a time and don't fret if you do have a set back (most of the people on here have had a set back or two before being able to start the 'plan of attack') Lastly, prepare for what is coming the best you can (Super Thread - first post on the page). We're all here if you have any other questions!

Jamie

ps- one more thing...there is a thread on here about how long everyone has survived. I find it very inspirational, and when I am having a 'down day' thinking about everything we are going through I go back and look at it. It might help ease your mind a bit to read through it, it's proof that life really does go on 

debbiejeanne

betty, i had cancer of the

betty, i had cancer of the larynex so i can't offer advice but i wanted u to know i'm sorry u and ur hubby are going thru this and i am putting u both n my prayers.  there r several here w/the same type of cancer as ur hubby and they hang around and tell their stories to help newbies like u.  the key is, they're still here!  from reading their stories, i know tx is rough, but i also know they made it thru and ur hubby will too.  ask any and all questions u may have.  someone will b able to answer.  keep us posted and know that we are here for you.  maybe ur hubby will want to join too.  it may help him to read about others who have go down the same road he is preparing to travel. 

God bless.

dj 

robswife87

debbiejeanne said:

betty, i had cancer of the

betty, i had cancer of the larynex so i can't offer advice but i wanted u to know i'm sorry u and ur hubby are going thru this and i am putting u both n my prayers.  there r several here w/the same type of cancer as ur hubby and they hang around and tell their stories to help newbies like u.  the key is, they're still here!  from reading their stories, i know tx is rough, but i also know they made it thru and ur hubby will too.  ask any and all questions u may have.  someone will b able to answer.  keep us posted and know that we are here for you.  maybe ur hubby will want to join too.  it may help him to read about others who have go down the same road he is preparing to travel. 

God bless.

dj 

Betty

hang in there. I was you in March. Rob had swollen lymph nodes in his neck for about 8 months and I mean noticealby large. We pretty much knew on March 8 after a CT scan. Treatment started April 15. It felt like forever.

We had almost the same diagnosis but lymph nodes on both sides, spot on throat, both tonsils. He is now 5 months out of treatment and doing great. 

We got the all clean yesterday after another scope and the final report on the PET from last month. 

You will be busy as anything for the next couple of months.

I don't think it will be 6 months of treatment, more like 6-7 weeks of chemo and radiation. 

Come here often with any questions, concerns or just want to cry and scream. We have all been where you are in one form or another. 

This is the best bunch of people you will talk with.

Sandy

TracyLynn72

You're in the right place,

but I'm sorry you have to be here!  You will find such incredible support from the warriors on this site.  My cancer was a bit different, but I got the run around, shuffled to different doctors, biopsied and then forgot about for a month.  NO answers.  I feel your frustration.  My tumor was found 12/18/2012 and I didn't have surgery until 3/6/2013.  It felt like a lifetime!  Hang in there, ask lots of questions and feel free to vent if you need to.  The diagnosis can feel like a slap in the face, and treatment can be hard...but it's all very, very doable.  We're here for you! 

bettyannew

robswife87 said:

Betty

hang in there. I was you in March. Rob had swollen lymph nodes in his neck for about 8 months and I mean noticealby large. We pretty much knew on March 8 after a CT scan. Treatment started April 15. It felt like forever.

We had almost the same diagnosis but lymph nodes on both sides, spot on throat, both tonsils. He is now 5 months out of treatment and doing great. 

We got the all clean yesterday after another scope and the final report on the PET from last month. 

You will be busy as anything for the next couple of months.

I don't think it will be 6 months of treatment, more like 6-7 weeks of chemo and radiation. 

Come here often with any questions, concerns or just want to cry and scream. We have all been where you are in one form or another. 

This is the best bunch of people you will talk with.

Sandy

oops

Yes its 6 weeks, doctor said 7 weeks into 6.. did he have chemo and radation at the same time?  Was it horrible.  Will he be able to eat and drink... I think the dr said chemo all day 2 times, than radiation every day for 5 days, for 6 weeks,than the last week double radiation.  Has anyone out there got a grant to help pay for the co payment my hubby has medicare.....I know they are out there, foundations to help.

the phone has ringed all day, his brothers and sisters, they are planning on coming here taking turns to help me, when I see my husband in pain, I cry a lot. He goes back to the doctor monday, mapping I think, and a scan.  I hope no more cancer any where else.....

Thank you for caring.  All of you.  Im not crying today,  these messages helps me, I dont feel as bad.....

bettyannew

TracyLynn72 said:

You're in the right place,

but I'm sorry you have to be here!  You will find such incredible support from the warriors on this site.  My cancer was a bit different, but I got the run around, shuffled to different doctors, biopsied and then forgot about for a month.  NO answers.  I feel your frustration.  My tumor was found 12/18/2012 and I didn't have surgery until 3/6/2013.  It felt like a lifetime!  Hang in there, ask lots of questions and feel free to vent if you need to.  The diagnosis can feel like a slap in the face, and treatment can be hard...but it's all very, very doable.  We're here for you! 

question here.

What does it mean when everyone says this type of cancer is doable...LOL. im learning here ok.....

bettyannew

robswife87 said:

Betty

hang in there. I was you in March. Rob had swollen lymph nodes in his neck for about 8 months and I mean noticealby large. We pretty much knew on March 8 after a CT scan. Treatment started April 15. It felt like forever.

We had almost the same diagnosis but lymph nodes on both sides, spot on throat, both tonsils. He is now 5 months out of treatment and doing great. 

We got the all clean yesterday after another scope and the final report on the PET from last month. 

You will be busy as anything for the next couple of months.

I don't think it will be 6 months of treatment, more like 6-7 weeks of chemo and radiation. 

Come here often with any questions, concerns or just want to cry and scream. We have all been where you are in one form or another. 

This is the best bunch of people you will talk with.

Sandy

hi

Yes its 6 to 7 weeks, oops, I said it wrong.  Im very tired, not sleeping well, havent in months, worried on his throat and ear issue.. I dont understand, I looked down his throat, it looked like cancer, does a leg or arm has to fall off before your primary doctor listens to the patient.  To get his attention....all the test came back negative for strep...still prescribed him a z pack....the cancer dr asked, did the z pack work.  No, didnt make it look better, and he didnt feel better....

CivilMatt

I have walked in your shoes

Betty,

Welcome to the H&N forum, so sorry to hear why it took s bit of time to figure out.  Now that you are developing your team, things will begin to move towards treatments and recovery and believe you me you both will recover and move forward.

I was stage IVa, scc, bot, hpv+ & 1 lymph node (surgery radiation & Erbitux).  The virus they referred to was probably the hpv.  There is mounting evidence to support (good) cure rates if the cancer patient is hpv+.  Regardless, of being + or - , the treatment regimen is similar with very good cure rates for either. 

Thinking about your fears made me relive  the first few months and how I was once a “cancer rookie”.  I don’t know how my name came up in the cancer pool, it just did and the advice I got from my H&N friends made it VERY manageable. 

 In 6 months you will be arm wrestling for the remote and most of this will be behind you.

You will be fine,

Matt

bettyannew

j4mie said:

Hang in there...

Hi Betty,

I (as caregiver) am one of the people P refers to above as in the middle of treatment. My husbands diagnosis was very similar to your husbands. Pat, my husband, also went to the Dr. complaining for a while until the Dr. ran out of any other ideas but to do a FNA. By the time we finally understood that it was tonsil cancer, my husband had had a swollen lymph node for several months. Anyway, we are here now, he is receiving treatment (complete tonsillectomy, neck dissection with removal of 29 nodes and 16 more rads to go until we get to ring the finish bell), and so far all is well. 

As people have mentioned above, it is pretty common for this type of cancer to be more advanced by the time it is finally diagnosed, and it is very treatable most times even though it is advanced. In our exoerience so far, the time spent waiting from the diagnosis to the actual start of treatment is one of the worst times. So, my best advice to anyone who is just starting the journey is to hang in there, try to take one day at a time and don't fret if you do have a set back (most of the people on here have had a set back or two before being able to start the 'plan of attack') Lastly, prepare for what is coming the best you can (Super Thread - first post on the page). We're all here if you have any other questions!

Jamie

ps- one more thing...there is a thread on here about how long everyone has survived. I find it very inspirational, and when I am having a 'down day' thinking about everything we are going through I go back and look at it. It might help ease your mind a bit to read through it, it's proof that life really does go on 

question

What is neck dissection?  29 knods removed, all in the neck. Tonsil removed on both sides.  Was the surgery before radiation or after.

CivilMatt

Doable

Doable, manageable, bearable, you will live  through it.  It may take strength you did not know you had, but with tips, tricks and meds to help you will make it to completion.

CM

phrannie51

bettyannew said:

hi

Yes its 6 to 7 weeks, oops, I said it wrong.  Im very tired, not sleeping well, havent in months, worried on his throat and ear issue.. I dont understand, I looked down his throat, it looked like cancer, does a leg or arm has to fall off before your primary doctor listens to the patient.  To get his attention....all the test came back negative for strep...still prescribed him a z pack....the cancer dr asked, did the z pack work.  No, didnt make it look better, and he didnt feel better....

Betty...different GP's seem to

be better at different things.  The first primary care Doc I saw, was very concerned about a spot on my calf...it turned out to be SCC, also and he removed that....when I pointed out the lump in my neck, he gave me antibiotics....I wasn't nevous about my leg at all...glad that they removed the skin cancer, but my head was scearming..."YEAH...but what about this thing on my NECK!!!"  This was at Urgent Care.  When I went back to get the stitches out of my leg, I pointed out my neck again....what did he do?  He refered me to another GP in their regular office (which took 2 weeks)....and what did that Dr. do?  Felt my neck for 3 seconds an referred me to an ENT (that took a month to get in).....He did a needle biopsy, and I found out I had SCC of the throat within two days....Ah..but the run around wasn't over....it took another month to get into an Oncologist and the Radiologist....and I had to refer myself (both specialists thought I was crazy at first when I did my own calling).  It wasn't till I got here, that I found out that this is so so normal for our disease. 

The neck dissection is where they go in and take out lymph nodes....some have many taken out, some have only a few.  Some Drs. (as in my case) wait till after rads and chemo, and the first PET scan after treatment to decide if they will go in and take them out.  Some do the surgeries before.  I'm sure your husband will get his tonsils out before treatment, but I can't guess what the plans are for his lymph nodes.  My nodes were completely cancer free after treatment, and have remained that way for over a year.  Your husband will have a PET scan before they do any of this so the surgeon can see what areas are affected.

I know you feel like you have been dumped in a foreign country....you don't know the language or the customs....but if you hang out here, we'll translate for you.....Again....let me tell you that your hubby will be ok.....This is very tough treatment (my Onc told me that the only other cancer treatment that is worse than what we go through is Bone marrow)....

For the time being feed him all his favorite meals.....tell him to eat seconds.....this is a time to put on some weight, as most of us lost weight during chemo and rads.....eating does get difficult, and many of us ended up with PEG tubes (a tube that goes directly into the stomach....we just poured our water and our Ensures down that).  But it's all temporary....Matt said that 6 months from the start of treatment, and you'll be arm wrestling over the remote again....he's right on the money.....this is but a bump in the road....you'll be sailing on pavement once again.

p

TracyLynn72

bettyannew said:

question here.

What does it mean when everyone says this type of cancer is doable...LOL. im learning here ok.....

doable

Just meaning that treatment for H&N Cancer is tough but it CAN be done.  It effects everyone differently and can be a hard road to travel, but you'll eventually get to a turn in the road and be on the way to good health

Purplemountain

phrannie51 said:

Betty...I'm sorry you had to look for us

but am so glad you found us!!  There are many people here who have had tonsil cancer, and tongue cancer....and are alive to tell their stories.  What you describe....the delays, the zpac's, etc. are pretty much in everybody's story....weeks and months from the first trip into a Dr. to final diagnosis.  I started going to the Dr. the first of January 2012, and finally got diagnosed in March....yet treatment took another 6 weeks to get started.  For most of us, it was a swollen lymph node that got us going to a Dr. in the first place.  It's going to be ok.....the Drs. have a handle on it now, and for the next couple weeks you're going to be in a whirlwind of activity getting a PET scan, mask made, chemo scheduled, rads scheduled....etc etc.

This cancer is very survivable....and tho the treatment is hard it is doable....On this forum you'll find people just starting, like you guys....people in the middle of treatment, and a whole bunch of folks who have already been through it.  The Drs. take care of the medical end of things....we will tuck you under our wings and help get your hubby through treatment the best way he can.  One of the most wonderful parts of hanging out on this forum, is that you'll get many ideas, so if one thing doesn't work, there are 20 in the wings waiting to be tired.

I had nasopharyngeal carcinoma (SCC behind the nose).....I had 7 weeks of radiation concurrent with Cisplatin chemo every three weeks....then I had another 3 chemo treatments (Cisplatin and 5FU) after radiation was over.  I started treatment in April, and the last chemo came the end of August....I was back to work full time in mid-October. 

Do stick around this board....we'll help you and hubby get through this.  Nobody ever came here not scared....but that passes....to be honest, emotionally from now till the day treatment begins is the hardest part of all this to get through, but you will.  Keep coming here and talking it out....we can ease some of that fear....and help you get prepared for what is to come.  It IS going to be ok....

BTW....I was 61 when I was diagnosed.....we're young enough to handle this beast

p

Chemotherapy post treatment

Hi P.

 

I have the exact cancer as you described and in the middle of undergoing the exact treatment as you have gone through.  I'm interested to know what factor did the doctors used in giving you additional 3 chemo (Cisplatin and 5FU)?  Did they do a scan and the cancer wasn't clear so they had to add on the additonal chemo?

Thanks.

PM

phrannie51

Purplemountain said:

Chemotherapy post treatment

Hi P.

 

I have the exact cancer as you described and in the middle of undergoing the exact treatment as you have gone through.  I'm interested to know what factor did the doctors used in giving you additional 3 chemo (Cisplatin and 5FU)?  Did they do a scan and the cancer wasn't clear so they had to add on the additonal chemo?

Thanks.

PM

The treatment I got

was the "plan" from the very start.  My Onc told me that what I was getting was exactly what I would be getting at MD Anderson (I'd planned on going down to Texas for treatment until I started talking to my Oncologist)....I've seen a number of NPC patients on here who got exactly the same treatment as I had.....the 3 Cisplatins concurrent with the 7 weeks of rads....then 3 more Cisplatins with a 5FU pump after radiation was over.  If you're getting the same thing, with the exact same cancer, then I'd say your Dr. and my Dr. both took their treatment plans from the number 1 cancer hospital in the US.

We're LUCKY!!!

p

j4mie

bettyannew said:

question

What is neck dissection?  29 knods removed, all in the neck. Tonsil removed on both sides.  Was the surgery before radiation or after.

Hi Betty.

Neck dissection is when the neck is opened up and lymph nodes, and sometimes (and in my husbands case) other surrounding tissue/muscle are removed. In my husband's case there were 29 lymph nodes in the same area as the one node that was infected that were removed. He did have 'clean margins' after everything removed was biopsied...this was excellent news.

Surgery was first. After surgery he was given a couple of weeks to heal and then we started in on the dental work. He ended up with a couple of fillings and a root canal which was one of those 'setbacks' I talked about above. Lo and behold, the night before he was to start radiation treatments he had another tooth crack. After the tooth crack we did get to go on with treatment as planned, but he does have another root canal to look forward to now after radiation is complete and he is feeling up to it  

So, the timing was surgery in beginning of Sept., dental work toward mid to end of Sept. and we started rads around mid Oct. He is scheduled for 30 rads and today we reach the much anticipated half-way mark!!!

Once a plan is in place, and the wheels start turning, they really do turn fast...so try as best as you can to start getting your home, and yourselves, ready for this now. I have a teenager in the house still, so I was concerned with making sure that she would have a homecooked meal on the table each night. I made a boatload of casseroles (in foil pans, and we eat on paper plates ) that I can throw in the oven after a long day and it has been a great help!

Let me know if I can help you with any other questions!

Jamie