Congrats!! It's a ....TONSIL

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bpell0402
bpell0402 Member Posts: 61
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Moms primary was discovered in right tonsil after tonsillectomy. We got the news today and are very happy! Mom was more upset that we missed Michael Douglas by 5 minutes today haha

Radiation will start in about 4 weeks ...and chemotherapy? Apparently it's up to us!! I'm pretty sure my mom is going to refuse it but she was open to me making another appointment with the oncologist to discuss it again.

Doc said she does not believe in pre-treatment feeding tube... But after reading posts on here and speaking to other people I KNOW my mom would benefit from it. Not only is she 104 lbs soaking wet but she never has an appetite and gets full with 5 bites ( wish I inherited that from her!!) she's also stubborn

I think I'm gonna have to bring it up again .. AndN maybe insist

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    primary
    Glad to hear the good news that they found the primary and glad to hear Mom is doing well

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
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    Same
    I'd go for the PEG also at that weight, makes you wonder what some of these MD's are thinking....

    I often wonder how many times it seems to always be the right tonsil? I know there are a few lefties, but seems more like the right to me...(myself included).

    Thoughts and Prayers,
    John
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #4
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    Tonsil
    Glad to read they found it. Time now to get rid of it. If you're gonna insist on anything; the PEG would be the thing. Not sure why the doc doesn't believe in pre-treatment tube. Mine insisted as did my 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions; Stanford, UCSF, MD Anderson. During treatment would have been a nightmare and post-treatment is just a day late and a dollar short. Tell her Michael Douglas has one. (Haven't read that he did but he might?)

    Bob
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #5
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    adventurebob said:

    Tonsil
    Glad to read they found it. Time now to get rid of it. If you're gonna insist on anything; the PEG would be the thing. Not sure why the doc doesn't believe in pre-treatment tube. Mine insisted as did my 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions; Stanford, UCSF, MD Anderson. During treatment would have been a nightmare and post-treatment is just a day late and a dollar short. Tell her Michael Douglas has one. (Haven't read that he did but he might?)

    Bob

    Mom
    Hopes and Prayers are with her. PEG cannot hurt, and very possibly will make the kinda Positive difference that she'll love you all the more for insisting on her getting it. If one gets a PEG, then pre-treatment is the best time. Hope the known Primary makes it bigtime easier for her, physically.

    kcass
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #6
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    My husband has had his PEG
    My husband has had his PEG for 3 weeks and his treatment just started yesterday. So glad "she" was put in early and he is getting used to her being around. I have the feeling they will become very good friends!
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
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    KareGiver said:

    My husband has had his PEG
    My husband has had his PEG for 3 weeks and his treatment just started yesterday. So glad "she" was put in early and he is getting used to her being around. I have the feeling they will become very good friends!

    At 104 lbs, and with her
    At 104 lbs, and with her eating history that you said, I think a Peg is needed for sure. There's no room for error at 104. My BMI is finally 'normal' and not underweight after almost two years. I think not recommending one for some one that tiny is irresponsible. JMO

    I read that Michael Douglas did NOT have a peg tube.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #8
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    wow - 104 pounds
    I think I would surelyhave the feeding tube talk with the doc again. I understand the argurment that if you don't have the feeding tube, you'll try harder to keep swallowing - makes sense. But, I lost 29% of my body weight during treatment (mine did include induction chemo, not all was lost during the seven weeks of rads). And if she's never had much of an appetite, and gets full on tiny amounts? Wow - it'll be work to keep her weight on - you'll have to schedule in MANY eating sessions a day. Hope it goes well, whatever you choose.
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #9
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    PEG
    Very happy for you and your mom that they found her primary and her tonsils were removed.

    Like so many others have posted, I'm also in shock that her doctor doesn't believe in pre-treatment PEG placement. Like your mother I am tiny and my oncologist told me I was getting a PEG tube, end of discussion. Even with the tube I lost 22 pounds and I swear my bones rattled when I walked :) I had the tube for about 4 months until I could finally eat everything by mouth and maintain my current weight. Eighteen months post treatment and I am doing fine but still have problems keeping any weight on, I've only regained 6 of the lost 22 pounds.

    Please TELL your mother's doctors that you feel it best if she has the tube put in now instead of during treatment when she may already be feeling lousy. Just my opinion :)

    Wishing you and your mom the best,
    Glenna
  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    #10
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Same
    I'd go for the PEG also at that weight, makes you wonder what some of these MD's are thinking....

    I often wonder how many times it seems to always be the right tonsil? I know there are a few lefties, but seems more like the right to me...(myself included).

    Thoughts and Prayers,
    John

    Tonsil
    My tumor was on the left one........guess that's why I'm a Democrat. :)

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