Husband diagnosed Nasal Cavity SCC

Sinus2016

Couple weeks - be tough

You must have a pretty good feel for the routine now.  I am sure your husband is slowing down. Keep positive, encourage him to stay hydrated and keep track of the H2O intake.  Also eating is important; as you know to maintain health & wait (even if it’s not fun).  Remember where counting on his success and your strength. Don’t forget to take the time to smell the roses of Life together today! & tomorrow etc...

PACE

Treatment

I have been wondering how treatment your husband's treatment is going so far.  I am hoping for maximum results with minimal side effects!

Pat

 

nikolaf

Hi guys, thanks for your

Hi guys, thanks for your concern.

He had a bought of sickness that lasted a few days at the end of week 2.

We are into week 3 now and his skin literally changed overnight with extreme redness, tearing, bleeding, etc.  He is Irish and has milky white skin so they warned us this could happen sooner rather than later.  I think right now that is the thing bothering him the most....  and we aren't even finished with week 3!  =\

Also, last night, he lost his sense of smell and taste.  =\  I hear that can come back?

I hope you all are fairing well!

Sinus2016

Hang in there & thanks for the update

Sorry to hear about the skin, taste buds and smell, the bright side is you will be past the 1/2 way marK soon. It may get tougher but that’s when the the tough get going. I’ll be cheering from the the sidelines and am patiently waiting for you to pass the finish line. 

nikolaf

macmanrick said:

Nasal Cavity SCC

Hi - there is always fear of the unkown, but lett you tell you my story.

 

Last Novemeber I was diagnosed diagnosed with Nasal Cavity SCC and it was also advanced.  My cancer  spread to one lymph node.  I had surgery on Nov. 28 and a bilaterral neck disection a week later.  The pathology report showed clear margins (the cancer had not spread to surrounding tisssue, sinuses or bone) and of the 98 lymph nodes removed only one  was cancerous and it was totally enscapsulated (limiting the chance of spreading).  The tumor board at the hospital reviewed the case and all concluded the the surgeries were successful and no additonal treatment (radiation or chemo) was required.

 

9 months later I am still cancer free and generally recoverd.  My surgeon was also confident, so far his treatment appears right.  The treatment plan I had was not only the opinion of the surgeon, but a collection of surgeons, radiologists and specialists at the hospital.  All backed with scans and tests and constant monitoring.

 

Keep the faith and ask all the questtions you want to make the right decision for your husband.  The cancer is rare and there are not too many of us out there to discuss with.  If i can help with information I will.

 

Keep the faith and good luck!

 

 

Rick I have a question for

Rick I have a question for you.

do you flush your nasal cavity? If so— how?

nikolaf

Sinus2016 said:

Hang in there & thanks for the update

Sorry to hear about the skin, taste buds and smell, the bright side is you will be past the 1/2 way marK soon. It may get tougher but that’s when the the tough get going. I’ll be cheering from the the sidelines and am patiently waiting for you to pass the finish line. 

So he has his last week of

So he has his last week of radiation and chemo this coming week.

He has lost more than 10lbs.  

He is having trouble getting enough calories., etc.

feeling sick/ nauseous and in pain on his face from the radiation.  Bleeding/ scabbing/ etc. 

they say to expect symptoms for a few weeks past his end date.  Could be 4-6 weeks before taste starts to slowly come back.

he is feeling quite dejected.

DarcyS

nikolaf said:

So he has his last week of

So he has his last week of radiation and chemo this coming week.

He has lost more than 10lbs.  

He is having trouble getting enough calories., etc.

feeling sick/ nauseous and in pain on his face from the radiation.  Bleeding/ scabbing/ etc. 

they say to expect symptoms for a few weeks past his end date.  Could be 4-6 weeks before taste starts to slowly come back.

he is feeling quite dejected.

Hard weeks

Sorry to hear, but yes, these are the tough weeks.  They were hard for me, as the caregiver, as well.  My husband would say almost daily, " If this is how I will feel, I would rather be dead."  Thankfully, this phase is/was not for forever!  Tough, but doable with the hope of a great life after treatment.  That's where we are today.  Hang in there, it will get better.  Treatment ended for my husband Oct. 19(our 27th wedding anniversary) and he began eating small amounts about 1 month later.  By Christmas, he was back to enjoying all foods again.We just celebrated 32 years and if he gets another, all clear, at his December check up, he will have reached the 5 year milestone.  

caregiver wife

nikolaf said:

So he has his last week of

So he has his last week of radiation and chemo this coming week.

He has lost more than 10lbs.  

He is having trouble getting enough calories., etc.

feeling sick/ nauseous and in pain on his face from the radiation.  Bleeding/ scabbing/ etc. 

they say to expect symptoms for a few weeks past his end date.  Could be 4-6 weeks before taste starts to slowly come back.

he is feeling quite dejected.

Last week of treatment

Wishing you both the very best through this very tough time.

Crystal

Klingels

tough spot

Yes, you are in a tough time frame. August and September of this year were like that for us. My husband was done with treatment, but was in constant pain, didn't want to eat, had heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and couldn't sleep well. He also thought death would be preferable. He made it through. He is better now. He still deals with eating issues and takes Eliquiis for blood clots. He feels human again. He is out and about these days. Today is at a 3 year old birthday party. It does get better.

nikolaf

Klingels said:

tough spot

Yes, you are in a tough time frame. August and September of this year were like that for us. My husband was done with treatment, but was in constant pain, didn't want to eat, had heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and couldn't sleep well. He also thought death would be preferable. He made it through. He is better now. He still deals with eating issues and takes Eliquiis for blood clots. He feels human again. He is out and about these days. Today is at a 3 year old birthday party. It does get better.

im so sorry to hear he was in

im so sorry to hear he was in this situation. im glad to hear he is improving!  I feel so helless right now.  I know intellectually it will get better over the next 4-6 weeks but it is hard for him to envision that right now,  thanks for your kind words!

MrsYo

I am new to this blog and so happy to join! Wish you well..

I'm sending best wishes your way.  Hope your husband is recoverying well and steady.  If he is still unable to eat, you may consider getting a G-tube.  As a caregiver, hang in there and remain positive.  It's a tough road for caregiver and I recommend, you take care of yourself.  Sometimes it feels so lonely and helpless.  You will get to the finish line in full form.    

Sinus2016

Nikolof, Glad to hear treatment has been completed

Congratulations for making it this far. Patience is key,

Sinus2016

1day at a time

Im glad to hear you survived the treatment. I finished my treatment almost a year ago to the day your husband finished his.  Every day will get better than the last but recovery takes time. The important thing is to count your blessings and celebrate the Small achievements.    and then count your blessings again.  After all so far you are a survivor and that in itself is worth celebrating.