Back again...Need support...

CherieLW

Some of you may remember me, others may not.  My dad went through sinus cancer and has survived. He still struggles with no taste, lack of saliva, and recently had an episode where he couldn't get mucus out of his throat and was struggling with breathing.

Anyone who remembers me, knows this is very scary for me and I've struggled with trying to find new things to eat.  My first question is has anyone had trouble where you gasped for air almost then are OK moments later? My dad didn't really want to talk about it....I think it scared him and I both

Another thing asking for prayers. They just found a tumor that is near the top of my dad's forehead, on both sides of the skull (bone included... it has not affected his brain.  I know some of you have been through similar and just looking for advice or words of encouragement.  I hate this disease. This group has helped me so much in the past... Guess I'm feeling hopeless and looking for answers which no one can give. My dad had blood work yesterday and scheduled biopsy and pet scan next week.

 

Struggling with this. Not only me. My dad... But he won't tell me how it affects him. It scares me because I've watched him struggle and I'll always be there for him.. I don't know... Any prayers are appreciated. Doctor seems optimistic and only assuming it's cancer because the sinus cancer. Trying to stay optimistic. Just asking for prayers for my dad and family. And any word of advice is appreciated.

I continue praying for you all. My new job has kept me pretty busy these days, but you all cross my mind frequently. 

 

 

CivilMatt

support you got

C,

Sorry to hear about your Dad.  Mucus can very much make you choke or get in a position to make breathing difficult.  The best you can do is following the doctor’s recommendations, which I hope he is getting.

I will be thinking about you both with hope for better times.

Matt

Duggie88

Cherie

With matt and I in your corner, it has to get better. (That doesn't sound right)

As I told you many times your Dad is lucky to have such a sweet and loving daughter im his corner. Keep your head up and stay positive. As a father I never tell my kids everything  but knowing they are in my corner means the world to me. It's our way of coping with many aspects of life and not neccessarily to shield you. As I expressed before my thoughts and prayers are with you young lady.

      Jeff

CherieLW

Thank you both. Just

Thank you both. Just struggling.  Worried for him.  I always stress to him to take care of himself because I want him around as long as possible. Doc thinks flonase will help with the mucus, but my dad used it one time and now won't take it. 

rebelbert

Prayers

All I know is that I could never have made it through my treatments without the support of family and friends.  Your dad is lucky to have you, Cherie.

And even more important, at least to me, was the trust I put in God and the prayers that were lifted up on my behalf.  Never, ever underestimate the power of prayer. You and your dad are in my prayers from here on.

Mtngirl7533

CherieLW said:

Thank you both. Just

Thank you both. Just struggling.  Worried for him.  I always stress to him to take care of himself because I want him around as long as possible. Doc thinks flonase will help with the mucus, but my dad used it one time and now won't take it. 

Hi there!

Hi CherieLW! I was reading your post and was wondering if any Doc's have mentioned taking Mucinex? I take an oral pill, there may be other forms however. It dramatically reduces my mucous! With the sinus issues I've had for yrs now and constant post nasal drip, it has been my best friend. But it literally reduces and dries up mucous! I decided to take myself off Flonase Jan. 10th in preparation of the ENT visit I have scheduled for Feb 13th. I have been this round before, 2 yrs ago. I don't want to go in there and they tell me to discontinue Flonase and see if that helps the sore in my nose. So I made an executive decision to take myself off it. I feel time is of essence and I'm not fooling around with this. Flonase did a great job reducing mucous as well btw, but your Dad might not like it for wahtever reason. But just something to think about. I buy a generic form of it and it works great:) Same ingredients, just a little cheaper. Good luck to your Dad regardless of what he tries! Prayers as well!

CherieLW

Mtngirl7533 said:

Hi there!

Hi CherieLW! I was reading your post and was wondering if any Doc's have mentioned taking Mucinex? I take an oral pill, there may be other forms however. It dramatically reduces my mucous! With the sinus issues I've had for yrs now and constant post nasal drip, it has been my best friend. But it literally reduces and dries up mucous! I decided to take myself off Flonase Jan. 10th in preparation of the ENT visit I have scheduled for Feb 13th. I have been this round before, 2 yrs ago. I don't want to go in there and they tell me to discontinue Flonase and see if that helps the sore in my nose. So I made an executive decision to take myself off it. I feel time is of essence and I'm not fooling around with this. Flonase did a great job reducing mucous as well btw, but your Dad might not like it for wahtever reason. But just something to think about. I buy a generic form of it and it works great:) Same ingredients, just a little cheaper. Good luck to your Dad regardless of what he tries! Prayers as well!

Thanks! Yes, he's tried a lot

Thanks! Yes, he's tried a lot but not Mucinex.  I can hardly get him to eat right now. He's talking about getting a peg tube again. It's hard to see him take steps back... But I just hope we get more answers soon and dad gets proper nutrition. Thanks for the prayers and also keeping you in mine! I made him two pumpkin rolls and that's about all he can seem to get down. Not good nutrition there.

CherieLW

Thanks so much! It's greatly

Thanks so much! It's greatly appreciated. He's so stubborn sometimes... I just told him I want him to take care of himself! Praying for you as well. 

wmc

Sorry to hear this....

Yes, I will keep you in my prayers. What you are describing sounds like the upper sinus area. Just above each eyebrow on both sides and goes up to almost the hairline.  Make sure he is getting enough liquid and water is the best to thin the mucus.  Coffee and dairy will produce more mucus, as does Soda and sugars. he should take half his weight in ounces of water. say 200 lbs and half is 100 ounces is what is recommended. Mucinex is an expectorant and should thin the mucus so you can break it up and cough it out. You can use any store brand of Guaifenesin. Some like Robertson has other impedances and just plain Guaifenesin is better for him.  I had my larynx removed so I get a lot of mucus and my COPD makes it worse. I would try to keep the humidity between 40 and 60% which will help his breathing and help the throat as well. If I get bad I just turn on the shower and breathe the steam for 10 minutes or so.  If the humidity gets much above [not counting the shower] just light a candle to remove it. Above 60% and you can start to get mold.

Bill

 

 

joannaw81

stay positive

It is not cancer until they confirm it is cancer. Hopefully it's something else. I will keep you in my prayers. Let us know what happens. Stop by often, you will always find support here.

CherieLW

wmc said:

Sorry to hear this....

Yes, I will keep you in my prayers. What you are describing sounds like the upper sinus area. Just above each eyebrow on both sides and goes up to almost the hairline.  Make sure he is getting enough liquid and water is the best to thin the mucus.  Coffee and dairy will produce more mucus, as does Soda and sugars. he should take half his weight in ounces of water. say 200 lbs and half is 100 ounces is what is recommended. Mucinex is an expectorant and should thin the mucus so you can break it up and cough it out. You can use any store brand of Guaifenesin. Some like Robertson has other impedances and just plain Guaifenesin is better for him.  I had my larynx removed so I get a lot of mucus and my COPD makes it worse. I would try to keep the humidity between 40 and 60% which will help his breathing and help the throat as well. If I get bad I just turn on the shower and breathe the steam for 10 minutes or so.  If the humidity gets much above [not counting the shower] just light a candle to remove it. Above 60% and you can start to get mold.

Bill

 

 

Thanks so much for the advice

Thanks so much for the advice. My dad just wants to drink milk and I tell him it's not good for mucous but he thinks because it's skim IRS OK. He also says that taste OK to him. He does drink water. Not nearly enough. He's stubborn. I love him though.

CherieLW

Thank you! He had a biopsy

Thank you! He had a biopsy today. Should know more by Tuesday. Thank you everyone and praying for you all.

slk2015

CherieLW said:

Thanks! Yes, he's tried a lot

Thanks! Yes, he's tried a lot but not Mucinex.  I can hardly get him to eat right now. He's talking about getting a peg tube again. It's hard to see him take steps back... But I just hope we get more answers soon and dad gets proper nutrition. Thanks for the prayers and also keeping you in mine! I made him two pumpkin rolls and that's about all he can seem to get down. Not good nutrition there.

Mucinex

I use Mucinex too.  Flonase gave me severe nosebleeds (all nasal sprays seem to) and my ENT recommended Mucinex.  It comes time-release or short acting.  Make sure he drinks plenty of fluid if he tries it.  

tommyodavey

Mucus

Hi CherieLW,

Did the Mucinex work?  It did a fairly good job with mine so that was my advice to you too.  Hoping for the best with his biopsy.  He is so lucky to have you there for whatever comes his way.

CherieLW

Thank you! I can't get him to

Thank you! I can't get him to take the mucinex. I brought it up with his doc today and they scheduled an ENT appt. I'm hoping they can make him listen... maybe coming from a doctor he will do it. 

Eluu0420

Bad news that liver enzymes are high?

Hello!

I am new to this group and wanted to get some input regarding my dad's status. He was diagnosed with nasopharageal cancer last year at the end of May 2018. He went through chemo/radiation and completed all treatments. He finished his last round of chemotherapy towards the end of November 2018. We waited at least 10-12 weeks for recovery and to complete a pet scan. Thought things were getting better while he was recovering. Recently my dad started feeling abdomen pain and we went to the doctor for a follow up. Long story short they did a CT scan and the doctor advised that his liver enzymes were high. They want to schedule a biospy to confirm that the cancer may have spread to the liver. I guess I'm scared about the results because I know the liver is very serious. I've Googled some questions and it doesn't seem like there is hope if the cancer has spread to the liver. Any input or advice or prayers would help. 

- Emily 

caregiver wife

Throat cancer spread to liver

My husband was treated for cancer spreading to his lung and liver.  He has been in remission the second time since May 2017.  He has developed kidney cancer, but it is unrelated to throat cancer.  There are multiple treatment options even if found in the liver.  Best Wishes to both you,  

Crystal

Eluu0420

caregiver wife said:

Throat cancer spread to liver

My husband was treated for cancer spreading to his lung and liver.  He has been in remission the second time since May 2017.  He has developed kidney cancer, but it is unrelated to throat cancer.  There are multiple treatment options even if found in the liver.  Best Wishes to both you,  

Crystal

What types of treatment for liver?

Thank you for your reply Crystal. What type of treatment did he go through? And how is he doing now? Best wishes to you and your husband too. 

caregiver wife

treatment for mets

Treatment for mets to lung and liver was Carbo/Taxol once every three weeks for 18 months (at which point he went  back into remission).  At that time, doctor said there were multiple options should the CarboTaxol stop working.  Husband has been on feeding tube for about 8 years, since his original radiation.  His blood work is not very good now due to the new kidney cancer.  But, he gets around the house, is happy, and so far not in pain.

Everyone is different.  But there are multiple options, as others on this board also have gone thru multiple rounds of treatment.

 

Drivingdaisy

CherieLW said:

Thank you! I can't get him to

Thank you! I can't get him to take the mucinex. I brought it up with his doc today and they scheduled an ENT appt. I'm hoping they can make him listen... maybe coming from a doctor he will do it. 

Muscinex DM 12 hr

During treatment had horrible mucus, I also have bad sinus allergies, the above worked well for Me.  Can no longer take due to losing Saliva totally so this will dry the mouth also.  Wish I could since We are back in allergies season here in Fl & I hate mucus.  Gets stuck in back of Throat.  Makes swallowing food or pills harder