Beginning radiation on oxygen 24/7

Little Red
Little Red Member Posts: 4
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi,

I am new here and writing regarding my husband. He is 5'5" and weighs 113 pounds. He has lost 7 pounds in the last couple of months and has recently been diagnosed with alcohol-related dementia (mild)and cancer at the base of the tongue with one positive lymph node. We were told that radiation is his option and it has a high rate of success. My concerns are rising after reading some of your postings regarding trachs, mucous, swelling, etc. He is on oxygen 24/7 and has a lung capacity of only 19%. I would really like to know if there is anyone out there who has undergone treatment in a frail state with the lung issues that my husband has and what the outcome was. He has great concerns about the PEG tube issue and already has trouble removing mucous from his system. He is scheduled to begin his therapy on Tuesday but he is unsure is this is what he really wants to do. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Hi Little Red
    Sounds like you have your hands full, just sorry to read you have this additional problem to deal with also. The radiation treatment is hard on the body there is no getting away from that, just how he will do with the restriction of lung capacity is going to be hard to tell. All I can suggest is getting a second opinion and don’t be afraid to question the doctor about all your concerns about his treatment.

    Welcome to our family here on CSN
    Hondo
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #3
    Hondo said:

    Hi Little Red
    Sounds like you have your hands full, just sorry to read you have this additional problem to deal with also. The radiation treatment is hard on the body there is no getting away from that, just how he will do with the restriction of lung capacity is going to be hard to tell. All I can suggest is getting a second opinion and don’t be afraid to question the doctor about all your concerns about his treatment.

    Welcome to our family here on CSN
    Hondo

    Hi
    Wishing you the best...

Discussion Boards