Squamous Cell Carcinoma -Survivor

On 10/6/2008 ShellyE wrote:

 

On 8/2/2008 Jenny92 wrote:

 

On 4/16/2008 HeidiTony wrote:

i really need your help. my husband (who is also a generally healthy man) was diagnosed on tuesday with squamous cell in his tonsils.

how do i give him support and tell him to be positive KNOWING that he is soon going to be in HELL? i just recovered from cancer myself and i just dont know how to be strong for him. he is only 46 and i am only 33. this is everyone nightmare and i dont know how to be strong for him. i am reading in this message board that he is really in for it. what do i do?

 

Hello,

   I am new to this web site.  I found it as I was browsing the internet for info on SCC.  My parents and I  just found out my dad who is 61 basically healthy has squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil.   I am very close to my dad and this is just a nightmare!!!!  We are new to  cancer  and in major shock!!   About 2 months ago a lump came up on the left side of his neck.  He went to his primary Dr. where they treated him with antibiotics for possible infection.  After about 3 wks mass was still there .  Went to ENT Dr .  and scheduled to remove mass.  The mass along with the lymph node and a cyst was removed.  That was last week and since then our lives have been turned upside down!  Results came back cancer....went straight to cancer center in Kingwood Tx ,Dr. Sethi.  Blood work was done and pet scan scheduled .   Pet scan showed cancer in the left tonsil.  We were hit with ...Radiation and Chemo!  Dr says removing the tonsil is not an option!   We are really scared of the side effects from chemo and radiation.....but what else do we do?  Will he be able to continue to work?  He  has to keep his job for the Insurance.  If any one can give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,

Jen 

 

 

have you checked into any alternative medicine? Like the high dose

vitamin C infusions.  My sister has Squamous Cell Cancer and

we are looking at those options since Chemo and Radiation are

only helping temporarily.  I really believe in hollistic medicine.  Her

oncologist is going to work with her Dr in alternative medicine to find

the right protocol for her.

Please consider evidence based medicine. It is a tragedy that people become disillusioned by standard medical care and turn to superstitious beliefs such as the commenter posted here about vitamins and other sCAM medicine.

 Is the medical community perfect? No. Can they cure everything? No. But what is the alternative? Magical thinking and scam artists taking advantage of the most vulnerable desperate people.

Look for evidence based medicine. The best cancer experts in the world are keeping people alive longer and longer. The medical community has been tremendously successful. What has the sCAM community accomplished? Nothing but tragedy and ripoffs.

There are a number of sources on the Internet that can help people navigate the scientific realm without any connection to profit making whatsoever. Myself and thousands of others are just interested in promoting rational thinking. In this age of information and science, that people still turn to magical thinking and nonsense is so unfortunate.

My Mom has cSCC and after 3 surgeries (tumors recurred in very short time) she has now 2 new tumors. I have come looking for a reliable prognosis. She is 82.  The Internet sources all discuss prognosis for cancers when they first occur. I am having trouble finding sources for prognosis when a person's cancer is growing so rapidly that treatment seems to be constantly behind the race. She will begin radiation therapy next week. I and my siblings want to make the best decision for her. She cannot make the decisions for herself though her quality of life is worth preserving if it is reasonably feasible.

 We have decided to try the radiation and see how she tolerates it. For those of you that have tried and lost loved ones, did you feel the discomfort the person experienced from treatment was worth it or not?  I assume my Mom will also be in discomfort from the cancer so I'm wondering if the radiation is the lesser of 2 evils or if it will just make her last days more miserable.

Any personal stories are welcome.

Hi all,

 I realize this thread is rather old but I am hopeful people are still available to respond.

 My name is Renee I am signed in under my husbands account. I am 38 non-smoker, occasional drinker (3-4 times a year).  I was diagnosed Nov 14 2008 with Stage IV T2N2bM0 Tonsillar Cancer. I have yet to start treatment. I had my first opinion at University of Chicago with Dr. Vokes which I understand is one of the best for Head and neck cancers. My second opinion has been at CTCA in Zion Illinois.

I feel really confused about the choice I have to make. Please HELP!

The treatment team at UC recommends a course pretty different from CTCA however CTCA offers everything UC does not....travel accomodations, a family atmosphere, moral support, wholistic medicine, naturopaths....plus medical expertise.. 

UC:   5 days inpatient 9 days outpatient-for 5 cycles

Chemo- 1) Hydroxyurea by mouth every 12 hours for 5 days  2) 5-FU given continuously for 5 days 3) Docetaxel- IV over 1hour on Mondays. Radiation twice a day to tumor site. (all during  5 day inpatient) 

CTCA-

Chemo- 1) Hydroxyurea by mouth every day 2) Cisplatin bolus every 3 weeks. Radiation once a day M-F. For 2 months.

Two very different approaches? My doctor at CTCA says he will follow UC's protocol if that is what i want but that there is no documentation that proves this aggressive approach improves cure rate or reduces reoccurence rate he says it is all still very much in trial phase. However being that head and neck cancers are such a small percentage of all cancer.....I am concerned that even a place as amazing as CTCA may not have the expertise that a place that specializes in head and neck cancer might have. I wish to stay at CTCA but do not wish to make it complicated by wanting a treatment plan they are not used to giving ....plus I have no real clue which is better? Truly I do not know what to do? If I went to UC I loose everything else that is important?  If I went to UC I would lose everthing else that  i believe is important to me.

I am currently scheduled to start treatment at CTCA on 1/13/2009.

All feedback appreciated. I am so tired of trying to make sense of it all...

 God Bless and Thanks

Renee

We are arriving on sept 8th for my dad to see the drs for the same cancer tounge then to his lungs now in his neck  .

Go to md anderson if you can!!!!!!!

My husband went through this about 4 years ago and he finally had to give in and have a feeding tube placed temporarily.

My husband had stage 4 squamous cell in the tonsil and the base of his tongue, almost 4 years ago.  In the past year, he has had 40% of his colon removed, half of his left lung, and three surgeries to remove lymph nodes that were positive for small tumors. He has had radiation twice and is on his third Chemo.  This is a relentless disease and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.