Here we go again...

handl1983
handl1983 Member Posts: 37
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi everyone!

Well, the last time I wrote in, I was delighted because the Dr's had "cleared" my husband of stage iv squammous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil. We even celebrated with a vacation to Florida. A week after we got home, Herb began having alot of pain in his head and neck again. After a few unanswered calls to the Dr. we brought him to see his radiation team. They had him admitted and did another CT scan. They have now found a mass in his neck, exactly where it was when we started all of the treatment. We were dumbfounded to say the least. Today we have to meet with his team and see what sort of plan they can come up with to treat him. He is very weak and thin, and I dont see how he will be able to handle Chemo and Surgery again....Any thoughts???

Lori

Comments

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #2
    So sorry
    Lori,

    So sorry to hear your bad news. Is there any chance that this mass might be scar tissue left from the previous treatment? Please keep us informed about your husband's progress.

    Deb
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #3
    D Lewis said:

    So sorry
    Lori,

    So sorry to hear your bad news. Is there any chance that this mass might be scar tissue left from the previous treatment? Please keep us informed about your husband's progress.

    Deb

    Lori
    Yes- very sorry to hear this news, and hope it's scar tissue, and the pain was the typical nerve damage thing- rather than a return of C. And I echo Deb's request for you to keep us updated on what happens going forward.

    kcass
  • handl1983
    handl1983 Member Posts: 37
    #4
    Kent Cass said:

    Lori
    Yes- very sorry to hear this news, and hope it's scar tissue, and the pain was the typical nerve damage thing- rather than a return of C. And I echo Deb's request for you to keep us updated on what happens going forward.

    kcass

    No such luck....It's back.
    No such luck....It's back. They are starting Chemo tomorrow. I just hope he is strong enough to get through it again. Possible surgery within 2 weeks to remove it, depending on how well the Chemo goes. They are keeping him hospitalized for it. Will keep you posted! Thanks for caring!!!

    Lori
  • davidgskinner
    davidgskinner Member Posts: 81
    #5
    handl1983 said:

    No such luck....It's back.
    No such luck....It's back. They are starting Chemo tomorrow. I just hope he is strong enough to get through it again. Possible surgery within 2 weeks to remove it, depending on how well the Chemo goes. They are keeping him hospitalized for it. Will keep you posted! Thanks for caring!!!

    Lori

    Very sorry
    Will keep you both in good thoughts and prayers. Be kind to yourself...
    David
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    Hi Lori

    I too am sorry to hear the bad news, but don’t give up hope I been there three times too and know the feeling of being told its back again, you both can get through it.

    God bless and be with both of you
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #7
    handl1983 said:

    No such luck....It's back.
    No such luck....It's back. They are starting Chemo tomorrow. I just hope he is strong enough to get through it again. Possible surgery within 2 weeks to remove it, depending on how well the Chemo goes. They are keeping him hospitalized for it. Will keep you posted! Thanks for caring!!!

    Lori

    Never give up...
    Lori, I'm so sorry to hear that his cancer is back but please try to stay positive. I have read of many people here who have gone through cancer 2 and 3 times and are still going strong. Please stay strong and have faith.

    Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.
    Glenna
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #8
    Hondo said:

    Hi Lori

    I too am sorry to hear the bad news, but don’t give up hope I been there three times too and know the feeling of being told its back again, you both can get through it.

    God bless and be with both of you

    Healing energy...
    There is the fight and then there is the harder fight. You have an army of people here who will pray, and send good and healing energy as part of that fight. Tell your husband to mentally and physically allow all this power in to his being to help in his fight. In the words of Scam: HIS BODY IS STRONG; HIS MIND IS STRONG.
    We are with you,
    Kim
  • handl1983
    handl1983 Member Posts: 37
    #9
    Kimba1505 said:

    Healing energy...
    There is the fight and then there is the harder fight. You have an army of people here who will pray, and send good and healing energy as part of that fight. Tell your husband to mentally and physically allow all this power in to his being to help in his fight. In the words of Scam: HIS BODY IS STRONG; HIS MIND IS STRONG.
    We are with you,
    Kim

    Heartfelt thank you!
    Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone- you have no idea how much it helps! As I sit at my computer,pondering why all of you have to go through this, it soothes my soul to know that complete strangers are praying and sending good thoughts to us! I will do the same for all of you!!

    God Bless!!

    Lori
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #10
    handl1983 said:

    Heartfelt thank you!
    Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone- you have no idea how much it helps! As I sit at my computer,pondering why all of you have to go through this, it soothes my soul to know that complete strangers are praying and sending good thoughts to us! I will do the same for all of you!!

    God Bless!!

    Lori

    The Kitchen sink !
    Hi Lori,

    I am very sorry to hear of your husbands predicament. After going through the treatment once must be crushing.

    My view on this disease is to hit the beast every which way you can - including the conventional treatments. While there is no 100% sure way to treat this disease, having your immune system working well, I believe is integral to our survival.

    My own study, observing treatments of all types, and consulting with qualified Naturopaths is how I have reached my line of treatment. I had surgery, IMRT and Chemo (Erbitux) last year for SCC to the tonsil. I consulted both sides of the health profession - almost immediately changed my diet and I have taken supplements and vitamins of all sorts to repair and boost my immune system and vital organ function - liver, kidneys, digestion among them.

    I think our diet is extremely important so I have taken the path of pretty much vegan for now and have eliminated all processed foods including sugars, fried food and pretty much everything we should be putting into our body.

    While there is still vigorous debate whether diet is important, my research has lead me to believe it does play a vital role. I am not sure if you are able to look at this path in addition to whatever your Doctors recommend, but I feel it is worth while. I don't believe in a magic bullet, but there is abundant evidence that diet and nutrition play a critical role in our health.

    Please feel free to PM me any time.

    Wishing you find the right way through this.

    Scambuster
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #11
    Scambuster said:

    The Kitchen sink !
    Hi Lori,

    I am very sorry to hear of your husbands predicament. After going through the treatment once must be crushing.

    My view on this disease is to hit the beast every which way you can - including the conventional treatments. While there is no 100% sure way to treat this disease, having your immune system working well, I believe is integral to our survival.

    My own study, observing treatments of all types, and consulting with qualified Naturopaths is how I have reached my line of treatment. I had surgery, IMRT and Chemo (Erbitux) last year for SCC to the tonsil. I consulted both sides of the health profession - almost immediately changed my diet and I have taken supplements and vitamins of all sorts to repair and boost my immune system and vital organ function - liver, kidneys, digestion among them.

    I think our diet is extremely important so I have taken the path of pretty much vegan for now and have eliminated all processed foods including sugars, fried food and pretty much everything we should be putting into our body.

    While there is still vigorous debate whether diet is important, my research has lead me to believe it does play a vital role. I am not sure if you are able to look at this path in addition to whatever your Doctors recommend, but I feel it is worth while. I don't believe in a magic bullet, but there is abundant evidence that diet and nutrition play a critical role in our health.

    Please feel free to PM me any time.

    Wishing you find the right way through this.

    Scambuster

    Lori
    Lori,
    So sorry to hear that, but neither of you should give up. Too many examples right here on this board of people fighting it off a second time. Hoping everything works out right for you two. Postive thoughts coming your way!
    Greg
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #12
    Greg53 said:

    Lori
    Lori,
    So sorry to hear that, but neither of you should give up. Too many examples right here on this board of people fighting it off a second time. Hoping everything works out right for you two. Postive thoughts coming your way!
    Greg

    Herb
    Does sound like your Med team is, finally, being aggressive with this development. And that's good. This, Lori, is something we all live with- the possibility of a return-bout, like Hondo's lived, and survived. As with Herb's first battle, I know you'll do your best to keep him in the Positive. Reckon we all got an idea how down he could get in these days. Remind him he's been here before, and dealt with the battle. And he can do it again. Please keep us updated on how he's doing, Lori, and know that every one of us is concerned, and cares. Times like this-

    A BECKON CALL TO ALL- Prayers for Herb.

    Believe

    kcass
  • dogsrule
    dogsrule Member Posts: 96
    #13
    Kent Cass said:

    Herb
    Does sound like your Med team is, finally, being aggressive with this development. And that's good. This, Lori, is something we all live with- the possibility of a return-bout, like Hondo's lived, and survived. As with Herb's first battle, I know you'll do your best to keep him in the Positive. Reckon we all got an idea how down he could get in these days. Remind him he's been here before, and dealt with the battle. And he can do it again. Please keep us updated on how he's doing, Lori, and know that every one of us is concerned, and cares. Times like this-

    A BECKON CALL TO ALL- Prayers for Herb.

    Believe

    kcass

    Prayers
    Sending prayers for your husband and you. Please stay strong.
  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #14
    handl1983 said:

    No such luck....It's back.
    No such luck....It's back. They are starting Chemo tomorrow. I just hope he is strong enough to get through it again. Possible surgery within 2 weeks to remove it, depending on how well the Chemo goes. They are keeping him hospitalized for it. Will keep you posted! Thanks for caring!!!

    Lori

    Lori, I'm so very sorry that
    Lori, I'm so very sorry that your husband has to fight another battle. I am literally in tears just thinking about it. Like the others said, we will be praying and sending positive thoughts his way so he'll have no choice but to get better, we demand it...lol Please remember to take care of yourself as you help your husband fight this battle because you will need to be healthy to help him. We are all pulling for you and please keep us posted on his progress. Also, please know that many here have survived this battles more than once themselves. There is always hope!!
    God Bless You Friend,
    debbie
  • handl1983
    handl1983 Member Posts: 37
    #15
    dogsrule said:

    Prayers
    Sending prayers for your husband and you. Please stay strong.

    long day yesterday...
    Hi everyone!
    spent 17 hrs. at the hospital yesterday for Herb's Chemo... it was supposed to begin at 9am but didn't end up starting til 4pm. So far he has tolerated it. He ended up in ICU the last time he had it,but I think this is a different form that they are using this time.
    He finally ended up having a wonderful nurse last night who seemed to know his stuff. I have had to question the other nurses because there are so many inconsistancies in information on what he is being given, when they are feeding him, etc. Seems kind of scary if you ask me.

    Thank you all for your prayers!! I will keep you posted!! Please let me know if any of you need specific prayers, we have many church members that will pray also!!!

    Lori
  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #16
    handl1983 said:

    long day yesterday...
    Hi everyone!
    spent 17 hrs. at the hospital yesterday for Herb's Chemo... it was supposed to begin at 9am but didn't end up starting til 4pm. So far he has tolerated it. He ended up in ICU the last time he had it,but I think this is a different form that they are using this time.
    He finally ended up having a wonderful nurse last night who seemed to know his stuff. I have had to question the other nurses because there are so many inconsistancies in information on what he is being given, when they are feeding him, etc. Seems kind of scary if you ask me.

    Thank you all for your prayers!! I will keep you posted!! Please let me know if any of you need specific prayers, we have many church members that will pray also!!!

    Lori

    Lori, I know that made for a
    Lori, I know that made for a long day. I'm glad the wait is over and your husband is doing ok with the new med. We will all keep you and Herb in our prayers also. Take care and we'll look forward to the updates on Herb.
    God Bless you,
    debbie

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