newly diagnosed thorat cancer - hypotharthnyx 2nd primary

I am absolultely devastated. I have just been diagnosed with throat cancer. I just found out with the mri that I won't be needing chem but starting Thurs. 30 radiation treatments.
Sept. 13 I was doing my 5 yr. happy dance after surviving advanced esophageal cancer. I have had my espophagus removed and consequently only weigh 90 lbs. right now. I will be getting a feeding tube inserted next week but am still terrified of the not eating and the impending weight loss. Not Fair! Even though it is the same Squamos Cell cancer it is not related to the Squamos cell esophageal cancer. It is a 2nd primary.

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Jinty

    I am sorry to hear you will have to go through this crap again but don’t give-up. I too have been through it twice, it is hard but life after is just as good. Welcome to the Head & Neck site of CSN

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    Hi Jinty
    You're in good company. I'm on my third stab at this right now. I assusme very early disease if they are not advocating chemotherapy to you. 13 years ago, when I went through my first throat cancer, chemo was reserved for only people with very advanced disease. Now it seems even stages 2's generally get the offer. This bodes well for your chances of beating this new challenge.

    Today the debate will begin regarding my own need for a PEG tube. Not afraid of it. I already have enough eating trouble that I'm not going to let things get completely out of control nutritionally before going this way.

    Be of good cheer, and be resolute. You'll make it!

    Pat
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813

    Hi Jinty
    You're in good company. I'm on my third stab at this right now. I assusme very early disease if they are not advocating chemotherapy to you. 13 years ago, when I went through my first throat cancer, chemo was reserved for only people with very advanced disease. Now it seems even stages 2's generally get the offer. This bodes well for your chances of beating this new challenge.

    Today the debate will begin regarding my own need for a PEG tube. Not afraid of it. I already have enough eating trouble that I'm not going to let things get completely out of control nutritionally before going this way.

    Be of good cheer, and be resolute. You'll make it!

    Pat

    don't fear the tube
    Hi Jinty: don't be afraid of the feeding tube... it has been my lifeline for close to a year now... you will feel a lot better if you can maintain your recommended calorie intake.. it will help you go thru radiation and if your body is stronger it will be easier for you. Good luck and you CAN do it....
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    Not Fair!
    I'm with you Jinty, it is unfair. For you, Hondo, Longterm, and lots more. Once is more than enough. As far as the tube. They do make some very calorie-loaded and rich canned stuff now. You're right, at 90 lbs., you don't want to lose. Just stay close to the dietician, and make sure you get the right stuff. The weight loss is not inevitable if you use the right stuff, and keep it flowing.

    best, Hal
  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 726 Member
    Your Right
    Hi Jinty,

    I am with you that this is quite unfair considering what you've been through already. But as you already read, you are not alone with this second occurrence. It's my belief that most of us fear going through another round with oral cancer. Once is enough.

    You will pull through this and get your life back eventually. Keep the faith.

    Welcome to the forum. I too am fairly new here and have learned a lot reading others posts.

    Tommy
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    PEG
    Sorry to hear of your new ordeal...interesting they say no chemo....

    Welcome to the forum, really sorry for the circumstance that brought you here though.

    You say you're terrified of not eating and weight loss... I would presume you shouldn't have that much difficulty with the PEG. Weight loss is probably inevitable, but I'd think could be maintained with the PEG....

    Thoughts and Prayers,
    John
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    Sorry to hear you are facing
    Sorry to hear you are facing this agsinbut glad you found this site. It has been a life saver for me.

    Debbie
  • jinty
    jinty Member Posts: 2

    Hi Jinty
    You're in good company. I'm on my third stab at this right now. I assusme very early disease if they are not advocating chemotherapy to you. 13 years ago, when I went through my first throat cancer, chemo was reserved for only people with very advanced disease. Now it seems even stages 2's generally get the offer. This bodes well for your chances of beating this new challenge.

    Today the debate will begin regarding my own need for a PEG tube. Not afraid of it. I already have enough eating trouble that I'm not going to let things get completely out of control nutritionally before going this way.

    Be of good cheer, and be resolute. You'll make it!

    Pat

    no chemo
    first of I want to thank all of you for the welcome to the web site. I will take any support I can get. :)

    The dr. tells me that the tumor is approx 4 cm. and has not gone into the lymph nodes. There is one node they are a little suspicious of but they figure the radiation will handle that. They didn't actually want to give me chemo because it would have been the same chemo that I had 5 yrs. ago Cisplatin and they said I wouldn't do well with it again.

    My first radiaion today was not too bad. I tried to do some visualization. I found the mask to be extremely tight but know it's for the greater good.

    I down 29 to go.
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    jinty said:

    no chemo
    first of I want to thank all of you for the welcome to the web site. I will take any support I can get. :)

    The dr. tells me that the tumor is approx 4 cm. and has not gone into the lymph nodes. There is one node they are a little suspicious of but they figure the radiation will handle that. They didn't actually want to give me chemo because it would have been the same chemo that I had 5 yrs. ago Cisplatin and they said I wouldn't do well with it again.

    My first radiaion today was not too bad. I tried to do some visualization. I found the mask to be extremely tight but know it's for the greater good.

    I down 29 to go.

    dang you're ahead of me
    I've been on induction chemo for three courses. One more to go, and I start rads. But that's just after XMas. Jinty, you have an excellent chance of beating this. The radiotherapy won't be a walk in the park, but it is doeable. At the same time, if you ever need chemo, there will be other options available to you. Squamous carcinoma tends to respond very well to several of the newer epithelial growth factor inhibitors, namely erbitux. So you don't need to fear you've exhausted the possibilities with respect to chemotherapeutic options.

    Keep the faith!

    Pat