Squamous Cell Throat Cancer & the Elderly

Let me first say WELCOME, and sorry you might need to be here. Mine was suppergollit SCC larynex cancer so outhers that had BOT Thoung cancer answer most of your questions. There is many varyables to be consider, overall health, other medical problems, and you said anemic and frail, with heart issues.

Is the sore the size of a BB, pea, large grape, or walnut? Large grape can be stage 3 or 4 if it has spread to glands. You can have cist's in your throat or toung that are not any thing to be concerned with. I have a small [don'y know true size]cist in the back of my throat at bace of toung that is nothing and I was told many people do as well just don't know it. She might want to see an ENT [Ear noise throat] doctor. You said she will see an oncologist the 14th. You might want to go to a large center that has what is called Tumor boards. That is where all the differant doctors see you and they all come up with the best plane for you to attack it. Go to the best one you can, based on distance and insurance you can, it is really worth it. I recommend ont that is cancer and has a high raiting on ENT as well. [ There are some that are #2 for cancer but #43 for ENT.

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals

Now remember, it's not cancer until a doctor says it's cancer. I do hope you never here it is. You have come to the best group you can find with people who care and have been there and really understand what you and your mother are going through. They have helped me so much. Read the "Superthread-Read only" at the top, it can answer many questions. The doctor should already have her on pain meds, so put that on your list of questions.

Now to your question, yes you[she] can survive this with help from friends and family it makes it easier. It is a very bumppy road, but she can go down the road and come out good. Remember to write down your questions you want to ask the doctor, you will not remember then all, trust me. The doctor will say something and you will forget everything. I write them down and hand them to him. Works great he went down the list and answered all, he even wrote the answers on the paper for me. Will keep you both in my prayers. Best of luck to your Mom.

wmc

dnvy, just want to say welcome to the group where we hate to see new members...lol.  so sorry you need to be here.  if your mom does have cancer it will be a rough road and her health status will play a big part in how she does.  if she is in poor health, the road will be a little rougher.  many here, of all ages, have made it thru and are still here to tell their stories.  i will keep you and your mom in my prayers.  hoping for good news Monday.  Take someone with you if you can to help you listen and remember what the doc tells you.  it will be a lot of information all at one time so an extra set of ears would be great.  please let us know what comes out of monday's meeting.  praying for the best.

God bless you and your mom,

dj

Amy0309 said:

Hi, I do not respond much. 

Hi, I do not respond much.  But thought I would as my mother had treatment at 82.  She had hypopharangeal stage II.  They do not usually do Chemotherapy at this age, she had debulking of the tumor and 35 radiation sessions.  She survived the treatments like a trooper and is still cancer free after 1.5 years.  The side effects have been devistating though. She cannot swallow anything and aspirates her syliva into her lungs.  She now has MRSA(bacterial pneumonia) and getting weaker.  The hypopharangeal cancer is in the worst location, it is the area that protects the lungs when we swallow, so where the cancer is and the staging is very important. 

A therapist strongly told us before hand to stop the radiation before 35 sessions as to not do so much damage.  We did discuss this with the dr.s but they all said 35 sessions was the treatment and she is still cancer free.  Had she stopped it earlier we may not be cancer free, but her quality life may have been better.

As others have told you there is no reason your mother should be in pain, talk to the dr.'s, let them know all her symptoms and they should help. 

Best of luck to you and your sweet mother.

Amy

 

 

amy, i'm sorry your mom is so sick and fighting so much.  i am putting you both in my prayers.  praying for your mom to get stronger and for the mrsa and aspiration to get better.

God bless you both.

dj

dnvy said:

My 80 Year Old Mom and SCC

Hi Folks,

We learned on Monday, July 14th, that Mom's cancer is Stage IV. It was explained by the doctors that anytime the cancer spreads to a lymph node it is staged as a IV.  The team of doctors at Sitemen Cancer Center in St. Louis stated on 07/14 that Mom's cancer was operable and they believe will be successful. She's scheduled to have a partical glosectomy and neck resection on Friday, 7/25; doctors anticpate that she'll be in the hospital for 4-5 days. All of this is tentative because we're awaiting the PET results from this past Friday.

Based on the blogs and articles that I've read, our Mom is getting ready for the fight of her life and to endure pain unlike anything she's ever faced. How do we encourage her to keep going? Has anyone been a patient or have a loved one at the Siteman Center for this type of cancer? How long did it take to recover from the surgery? Did you have a feeding tube and tracheostomy, too? Was speach therapy required? 

One more thing; Mom is in constant pain and I'm told they can't give her anything more unless it's morphine. She's on the highest dosage of Oxycontin and she has a mouthwash to help numb, but it's not doing anything for her.

Thank you to all you folks who've responded to my 1st post! Your input is greatly appreciated!!!

 

dnvy, all you can do is be there for your mom and no matter what, stay positive for her.  as for the pain, there are many out there, i'd try different ones until i find one that works for her.  i'm sorry she is in so much pain.  saying prayers for the pain to go away and for surgery and tx to go well for your mom.  please let us know how surgery goes.  will be thinking of you on friday.

God bless you and your mom,

dj

debbiejeanne said:

dnvy, all you can do is be

dnvy, all you can do is be there for your mom and no matter what, stay positive for her.  as for the pain, there are many out there, i'd try different ones until i find one that works for her.  i'm sorry she is in so much pain.  saying prayers for the pain to go away and for surgery and tx to go well for your mom.  please let us know how surgery goes.  will be thinking of you on friday.

God bless you and your mom,

dj

sorry to hear about your bestie friend...your mum. It's worse for loved ones who have to sit on the side lines and watch someone we feel for..love.. In pain. My daughter took a break from work so she could be with me while I went through treatment. I had back of tongue cancer and 3 cancerous node. I had a neck dissection and radiotherapy. The op I don't remember much about at all not till the final week I was in hospital...2 weeks... I can't remember if I had pain. My neck was numb so no pain there. I vaguely remember being told to press this button if I felt pain it was a morphine dispenser thingy. My grown up kids came in to visit at one time I woke up to see them all around the bed staring at me. I thought this is it they have been summoned here for the last time. It wasn't that at all they just decided to give me a surprise as they live in different parts of the UK. They gave me a shock. Even my little great granddaughter visited, I was allowed to drag my feeding machine and other things around the grounds and take her for a walk,  it was summer a bit like today hot and sunny. The 2 weeks went quickly and I was fine when I came home. No pain. After a 6 week break I did 6 weeks of radiotherapy. Rads are painless but some get side affects I didn't get sores in my mouth or bad burns to my neck. I had slight burns but nothing that worried me. I did get a complete blockage in my throat and now have a PEG tube. That's not the norm thing. I hope your mum goes through her treatment like me.