Val Kilmer's Throat C, Trachea, and Pneumonia

Logan51
Logan51 Member Posts: 478 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

News just broke about his death, due to pneumonia. Think he was treated in 2015, but uncertain about the details and if surgery was involved. What is certain pertains to aspiration and pneumonia. FT-dependent since 8/2019 because of Rad damage to the top 1/3 of my esophagus, everything I swallow goes into my lungs. Thus, I cough/hack up a lot of congestion and spit it out. And I'm not talking about every once in a while- more like every couple minutes. Carry an overnight denture holder as my spittoon when I go into stores, or I'm going to be any inside a building for any length of time. Yes, it's not appealing for others to see, but it is necessary. AND, I can't help but remember Lil April and her struggle. Kilmer had a trachea tube, as did she, and I wonder if that is a complication to clearing the lungs by coughing thru the tube. The important thing to remember is to keep your lungs as clean as possible by coughing the stuff up to avoid pneumonia.

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss ACS Member Posts: 2,539 Member
    #2

    Logan, thanks for the update on Val Kilmer. May he rest in peace.

    Logan, I am sorry you have to constantly be expelling something but you are handling it well and discreetly.

    Thanks for reminding us of Lil April's struggles and the necessary support we need to each other.

    Wishing You The Best

    Take Care, God Bless

    Russ

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 478 Member
    #3

    Well, now I've read that he admitted that he'd had an Operation, then Chemo and Rads, at UCLA. As a Christian Scientist, he put off seeing a Dr. and said very little to the Media about his C experience. And, yes, he had a Feeding Tube, which likely explains the pneumonia by way of aspiration and is said to be the cause of his death.

  • mstclair
    mstclair Member Posts: 2 Member
    #4

    jarring when a guy born 3 weeks after me dies from what I have. 😞

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss ACS Member Posts: 2,539 Member
    #5

    Cancer:

    Well, time and dates, age and situation, nearness and farness, with cancer, there are no bounds or appropriate time; it is anywhere, anytime.

    It strikes anyone of any age or race; it knows of no bounds or restrictions.

    Recently, we saw the cancer victim DJ Daniel given an honorary award at the State of Union.

    DJ was diagnosed with terminal brain and spine cancer when he was just 6 years old. He has undergone 13 surgeries but keeps on fighting.

    I have recently seen on another forum that someone's father has cancer in the upper jaw area and was dealing with doctors considering treatments. At that age they can be really hard on you.

    I think we all keep hoping for that miracle drug or combination therapy that would wipe cancer out.

    What gets me is the very young children who have spent very little time so far on this earth; how do they get cancer?

    I keep praying God will Bless us with the means to eradicate this.

    Take Care, God Bless

    NEGU (Never Ever Give Up)

    Russ

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