Good News or Bad News?

mixleader
mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I had a visit with a chemo onc today to discuss my recurrence of the malignancy in my neck. The fact that this little beastie laughed at the radiation and came back a few months later had me very concerned. Well, the doc was very reluctant to give me a firm "expiration date" as was to be expected. So, the news is that he suspects a 50/50 chance of this thing spreading and if it spreads, it can be treated, but two years from then would be a reasonable expectation. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. So, I am going to take this information but I am not going to let it run (or ruin) my life. $%^& cancer! It is amazing to me that I spent the first 58+ years as a robust, strong and very healthy guy and now I am reduced to this. Sorry, some of this rambling is today's news and some of it is the beer I am drinking tonight. I have never been a negative type person and I am determined to keep going and enjoy life as long as I can. I am very thankful for a wonderful wife and support group at home and here on this site.

Roger

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Hang Tough
    Hang in there Roger, fight and continue to fight...

    Why is chemo not an option?

    Thoughts and prayers,
    John
  • mixleader
    mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hang Tough
    Hang in there Roger, fight and continue to fight...

    Why is chemo not an option?

    Thoughts and prayers,
    John

    Good News or Bad News
    Hi, John. Well, they told me that chemo is an option if this thing migrates to a distant bodypart, but they don't really think it will be terribly effective. Of course they don't know how determined I am to keep on living so I am getting more and more determined to just ignore all of this crap and try to forget about all of these problems. The fact that the recurrence was very near the original cancer is a plus since there is no evidence of distant spread. I am doing my best to take this as good news, but it sure is hard to not go to that 'dark place' and think about worst case scenarios.

    Roger
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    mixleader said:

    Good News or Bad News
    Hi, John. Well, they told me that chemo is an option if this thing migrates to a distant bodypart, but they don't really think it will be terribly effective. Of course they don't know how determined I am to keep on living so I am getting more and more determined to just ignore all of this crap and try to forget about all of these problems. The fact that the recurrence was very near the original cancer is a plus since there is no evidence of distant spread. I am doing my best to take this as good news, but it sure is hard to not go to that 'dark place' and think about worst case scenarios.

    Roger

    Very Understandable Roger
    I can definitely relate, I'm going kicking and screaming...I love life.

    Like you said, it being near the original spot, hopefully that is the primary location, or at least a very treatable area through radiation or some other method.

    My hopes, prayers and thoughts are with you brother.
    John
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #5
    Sounds right
    Hi Roger, I'm sorry to hear your trouble is persistent. It is indeed tough to learn to be someone else. I also had to look at who I thought I was, and I wasn't especially happy with that guy either. Cancer is a learning experience. I do believe, from what I've read over the last year after diagnosis, that a cure will be found. I don't believe it's caused by by bad food, living, or luck. Those things are factors, but medicine does not know the cause, and I think there is a cause that can be identified, arrested, and treated by Western medicine. Two, three, four years, that's a lot of time to work on it. Enjoy your life, hope is not only good for you, it's warranted.

    best, Hal
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #6
    Just news
    Hi Roger,

    I'm in a similar situation in theory with a 1-3 year timeframe as reported by most docs I've seen. Sometimes I see it as "bad" and sometimes I see it as "good" but most of the time I just see it as one possible outcome. I've always believed that my life and length of days is in God's hands and that hasn't changed since diagnosis. The docs have been wrong about so many other things and it was so "rare" for me to get this cancer anyway (NPC) that I figure the odds are actually much better for me living a long cancer free life. I share your determination to keep going and enjoy life. That alone changes the odds. Have one of those beers for me would you. I'll imagine how good it must taste and send up a quick prayer for you.

    Bob
  • rmkbrad
    rmkbrad Member Posts: 176
    #7
    Same boat
    I had the full on treatment last year and a tumor came back, base of tongue. I opted not to have my tongue cut out and went through more chemo and now Monday the 14th I start brechytherpy radiation with hyperthermic heat treatment to kill the tumor. I am confident this will work, there is more than one way to fight this and I am not done fighting, just some information for you. Look into it, the docs didn't mention it to me until I refused the surgery and brought this type of treatment up, also they only sugest treatments that they have available at their hospital. It's all about the mighty dollar.

    Brad
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #8
    rmkbrad said:

    Same boat
    I had the full on treatment last year and a tumor came back, base of tongue. I opted not to have my tongue cut out and went through more chemo and now Monday the 14th I start brechytherpy radiation with hyperthermic heat treatment to kill the tumor. I am confident this will work, there is more than one way to fight this and I am not done fighting, just some information for you. Look into it, the docs didn't mention it to me until I refused the surgery and brought this type of treatment up, also they only sugest treatments that they have available at their hospital. It's all about the mighty dollar.

    Brad

    Roger and Brad
    Hang tough guys and stay strong. Positives vibes your way. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi Roger

    There is nothing I hate more then to hear the word recurrence. Don’t op out on getting a second opinion as in my case the recurrence in 2006 was a false positive scan that the doc wanted to do more chemo right away. I am just glad I told him no and got another opinion.

    You are on my prayer list every night my friend
    Hondo
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #10
    Good News or Bad News
    We all here truly empathize with you. Cancer is so cruel. Do your research. The only option presented to my husband and me was surgery. Buzz did not want the surgery and we found out about alternatives. We are here for you!
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #11
    buzz99 said:

    Good News or Bad News
    We all here truly empathize with you. Cancer is so cruel. Do your research. The only option presented to my husband and me was surgery. Buzz did not want the surgery and we found out about alternatives. We are here for you!

    Brad makes a good point
    Hospitals only offer what they have. It's like you can't get a pizza at Mc'Donald's. Is surgery an option? If so look into hospitals that are using the Da'Vinci Robot, these things can go where they couldn't before. Cyberknife is another treatment. Also, is another form of chemo like, perhaps Erbutix an option? I think Hondo mentioned second opinion? He is the king of second opnions and knows about perseverence as he is on ENT number 7. As far as that goes I have a lady in my cancer group who is on recurrence number #5. The doctor gave you a timetable because you probably pressed him, I know because I've felt and have done exactly as you. You're looking at the worst case scenario, there are a lot of variables in between.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #12
    ratface said:

    Brad makes a good point
    Hospitals only offer what they have. It's like you can't get a pizza at Mc'Donald's. Is surgery an option? If so look into hospitals that are using the Da'Vinci Robot, these things can go where they couldn't before. Cyberknife is another treatment. Also, is another form of chemo like, perhaps Erbutix an option? I think Hondo mentioned second opinion? He is the king of second opnions and knows about perseverence as he is on ENT number 7. As far as that goes I have a lady in my cancer group who is on recurrence number #5. The doctor gave you a timetable because you probably pressed him, I know because I've felt and have done exactly as you. You're looking at the worst case scenario, there are a lot of variables in between.

    Roger.
    Can't really add to what the others have said, but I do want to let you know I'm thinking about you.

    Good thoughts and prayers,

    Sweets
  • mixleader
    mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
    #13
    Feeling Better
    I'm sure we all have our ups and downs in this journey we are in. For a few weeks now, I have been in a major slump what with all of the bad news and negative thoughts that have been running through my head. However, I am coming around again. With some great advice from my wife (and chief advisor) and the wonderful folks on this site, I am feeling better. Yes, this cancer may take me someday......BUT NOT TODAY. I am going to live well for as long as I can and do my best to put the negative thoughts in the closet somewhere. When I start feeling bad, I just try to think of all the things I can still do and enjoy and it doesn't seem so bad. And, I am starting each day by giving Mr. Cancer a gesture that involves a single digit and it doesn't mean "number one". After all, as far as I know right now, there is no cancer in my body after the latest surgery, so I intend to keep that as my foremost thought. I'm sure there will be more down days, but right now I'm in a pretty good mood and I am feeling good while listening to some great old sixties music.

    Roger
  • Jan Trinks
    Jan Trinks Member Posts: 477
    #14
    Hang Tough
    Hi Roger:

    Sorry to hear your cancer is back. That's always tough news. So glad you're a positive person. Charlie was always a person for whom the glass was always half full never half empty. He did do some erbitux and it did do some good; but his had come back with avegence and not in his neck; it had already spread to several places. But we gave it everything we had and made the most of the time we had left and remember miracles do happen! Will certainly be praying for you and your family. God Bless!

    Jan (Basketcase)

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