Sweetheart Diagnosed; Wants to "Go It Alone"

I think as time goes into the tx he will find "going it alone" won't work for him. He will want and need you by his side whether he admits it or not. I don't think it's uncommon to "push" away at first. The thoughts scare him enough as it is, he may think it will scare you just as bad.

I am a caregiver to a loved one...male, age 52, Dx: SCC BOT(Base of Tongue) with 2 lymph nodes involved (all same side) Stage IV, HPV16+ in Aug 2012 Tx: Chemo (Carboplatin & Paclitaxel) & Radiation all for 7 weeks (no surgery). Tx ended end of November and clean scan in February. Upon diagnosis he was distant but I think as time went he came around and realized he needed me and others to get him through this emotional, physical journey.

If you stay on this forum, you will find many long time survivors (5,10, 20 yrs) that have chose to stick around and many of us newbies that can offer plenty of help and advice as you go along. You many find yourself popping in and out of the forum to get some help with a problem he is encountering. I would encourage you to stick it out here for help and to also read the Superthread at the very top of all the posts on this forum. It has many subjects that you can read through to help get you prepared. I will also caution you to watch how much internet searching you may want to do as alot of the information is outdated or just simply to much statistics.

He will come around....just give him his space right now. He's trying to figure this all out himself.  

~C

CivilMatt said:

go it alone with the H&N Clan

bellasailor,

Welcome to the H&N forum, so sorry your boyfriend got tagged. I was 55 when I was chosen for stage IVa, scc, bot, 1 lymph node,  hpv+ (surgery, rads , Erbitux).

I understand his desire to maintain his privacy, I wanted to also.  My wife found this site in December 2011, prior to me starting treatment, so she had a good month to fill me in on the pros and cons of H&N cancer.  I fully give credit to the H&N members for all the useful knowledge passed along.  He doesn’t have to (physically) participate to gather information or ask questions.  I laid back in my recliner and peppered my wife with questions or listened intently.  It was like an “Oral Superthread” (Note to self that is a good idea).

Just let him know that you can front for him here (it is done all the time).  He is going to be kept busy trying to figure things out, not only does he have to fight cancer he has to spend 24/7 with the side effects and they can be a bit _ _. Remember, you are in this for all the marbles, give yourself as much of an advantage as possible.

We are behind you 100%.

Matt

Matt you give great advice and you are hilarious at the same time. Whenever I read your posts I either laugh out loud or sigh quietly knowing you do understand.  I'm glad your wife found the site!

bellasailor,

i agree with all of the above comments, your boyfriend may just be in a denial state.  I remember when we were waiting for my dads scan results before we knew anything, he told my mom, dont worry im superman!  The folks on this site will get you through some rough spots and provide so much information my advice would be to stay close and ask a ton of questions. 

Best of luck

michelle

bellasailor said:

Gratitude

I like it; from what I have read there is much more truth here than on the internet. So Thank you Matt! I suppose it takes more time to figure out this new challenge and journey...but info is important and I am desiring to debunk rumors and squash fears as much as I am able. (Knowledge is power) He says he will call me after he gets his low-down from the surgeon tomorrow. He is a fighter and is shell-shocked. Since he uses his voice for a living the swollen tongue thing is mighty inconvenient...could take 6 weeks to reduce to normal? Also a nurse casually dropped the bomb "they took a lot out" but no one can quantify or clarify. So it is the not knowing that stinks. I suppose all will be revealed tomorrow, or at least as much as the Good Lord thinks we can handle?!?

Thanks for the support and wisdom. I will be around.

Deborah

It's always a good idea to have an extra set of ears at doctor appts. There is allot to take in. Don't hesitate to ask any questions. Each person is different with the side effects they experience but there are usually several who have been thru the same situation and can offer support. 

Prayers for your boyfriend and for you as caregiver. If like most, you will come out of this on the backside with a stronger relationship than you could have imagined.

Candi

bellasailor said:

Shut Out

Hi Candi. Thanks for responding. Most unfortunately I was not allowed to join my boyfriend with this critical doctor appointment. He didn't want me go with him. Why? Fear of what he might hear, but I think he still thinks he can protect me and he doesn't want to be a bother. Humph. Too late for that!

Boyfriend did text me some info: 60+ lymph nodes removed from both sides, 2 cancers found on removed nodes on one side and surgery did not get all of tumor on tongue. Chemo and Radiation to start in 3-4 weeks. That is all I got. Nothing specific on prognosis, treatment plan, what to expect, etc etc. He seems to either be low information or that is all he wants to share. I sense he may have been restaged as a result of this but we cannot talk about that, or anything for that matter. He gets frustrated with me asking questions. I will see him in a few hours later this afternoon...

I did reach out to the support group social work leader for some suggestions on how to crack this communication impasse. Any assistance from anyone reading would be GREATLY appreciated. I have my hands full with trying to cope myself, not to mention him, his daughter, rest of family and friends who are also out of the loop!!!

 

Deborah

Hi Deborah,

I know I had feelings of guilt about my diagnosis and putting my caregiver Marcia as well as my family and friends through this ordeal. I didn't want for them to see me suffer. It sounds as if your boyfriend may be experiencing similar feelings. Yet he shared a lot concerning the doctors findings so I may be totally off.

I can tell you that the plethora of feelings and emotions I experienced from the time I was told "You have cancer" until this very day have been varied and extreme. I'm a type "A" personality and the loss of control over my life was VERY difficult to handle. The subsequent months after diagnosis made it all the more difficult as I deteriorated from the side effects. Mood changes and reactions to drugs made me more than difficult to handle for sure! It was very, very difficult on Marcia.

While there are many caregivers that participate in this forum, there is also a caregivers forum on the site that I would pose your question to as well. Perhaps you will gain some additional insight.

The only other thing I will suggest and this just comes from my gut as it's how I were in your shoes...

This is your boyfriend for over 5 years! It's obvious you love him. Sit the man down, get up in his face and tell him flat out how it's going to be! That you're going to be there with him throughout this journey and nothing he says or does is going to change it so he might as well get used to it! That you are to be included in the Dr's appointments and will do whatever you can to help him through this.

I will tell you Deborah, it truly is as difficult for the caregiver as it is for the patient. This will test your constitution more than anything has before.

Best wishes, positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

Deborah,

I don't know if you still visit the site or not, or whether you'll ever receive this reply.  However, on the off chance that you do, I just want to thank you for expressing the exact sentiments I've felt in dealing with my boyfriend's diagnosis.  Unlikeyour situation, however, he and I have a rather new relationship - he was diagnosed 2 months after we began dating.  We are now 5 months in, and although we both have maintained that we are in it, eyes wide open, for the long haul, this has been quite a difficult journey.  He, too, has behaved in ways which seem as if he's trying to either push me away or protect me. And, exactly like you, I find that to be very hurtful, because he won't tell me much, and because I can't hold his hand (our relationship was already difficult because we live 2.5 hours apart!).

I'm pretty sure I won't be a regular poster here.  However, I have found such a wealth of comfort in just reading the posts of so many others, and the replies of other caregivers and survivors.  I feel like a burden has already been lifted off of me, just knowing that I'm not alone.  Even in the newness of this relationship, I know this is a rare man worth knowing and worth fighting for, so where others might turn heel and run, I am pulling up my chair and digging my heels in.  That being said, I know I'll need the support of many others to see us both through this journey.

So, thank you, Deborah, and everyone else who have shared your issues and advice; you all are really making a difference.

D

fontina15 said:

From Another Sweetheart

Deborah,

I don't know if you still visit the site or not, or whether you'll ever receive this reply.  However, on the off chance that you do, I just want to thank you for expressing the exact sentiments I've felt in dealing with my boyfriend's diagnosis.  Unlikeyour situation, however, he and I have a rather new relationship - he was diagnosed 2 months after we began dating.  We are now 5 months in, and although we both have maintained that we are in it, eyes wide open, for the long haul, this has been quite a difficult journey.  He, too, has behaved in ways which seem as if he's trying to either push me away or protect me. And, exactly like you, I find that to be very hurtful, because he won't tell me much, and because I can't hold his hand (our relationship was already difficult because we live 2.5 hours apart!).

I'm pretty sure I won't be a regular poster here.  However, I have found such a wealth of comfort in just reading the posts of so many others, and the replies of other caregivers and survivors.  I feel like a burden has already been lifted off of me, just knowing that I'm not alone.  Even in the newness of this relationship, I know this is a rare man worth knowing and worth fighting for, so where others might turn heel and run, I am pulling up my chair and digging my heels in.  That being said, I know I'll need the support of many others to see us both through this journey.

So, thank you, Deborah, and everyone else who have shared your issues and advice; you all are really making a difference.

 

D

 

 

 

Welcome both Deborah and "D" to both of you ladys, and like everyone else, Sorry you need to be here.

My thought is they are very scaired as I was, and trying to protect you from this. When someone gets sick with somthing this major you lose people you thought were friends. Don't blame them they just can't deal with, or handle this. They just kinda just shy away. So you want to shield the one's you love, but don't realise they are the ones that will always be their. My family was great, but I could understand the few ones you loose. I had Larnyx cancer and lost my voice and breath through my neck, T3 N0 M0, but before the surgery I was told it was T4, N2 M0

. Yep I was cut from ear to ear too. You think some just can't look at you and others will stare, but that is just not the case. Everyone has been so good to me when I go to stores or shopping.  I'm alive and only three to four people thought I would live. I had great support from friends and family is how I made it through this, even the ones that thought I wouldn't. But I had thoughts of loosing them because how I now look with the hole in my neck.  Your friends will always be their, that why the're friends in the first place.

I think your guys  will come around and will need you both more then you, or they, will ever know so be ready. 

This is a great place for support, and some great advice and first hand knowledge. They have all helped me so much.

Bill