Viet-nam Vet Diagnosed With Scc on 10-23-05

I am halfway through chemo and radiation for throat and lymph gland cancer...it has been rough after I got a bunch of all kinds of mouth sores and got to where I couldn't eat or drink anything...I just had a feeding tube put into my stomach and am now able to take in nourishment and hope that as stregth comes back I will do better....3 weeks of radiation to go! Doc says about 85% chance of curing it this way..radiation alone is not as sure of a fix. I reccommend the feeding tube...I thought I would be tough enough not to need it, but I was wrong...I got dehydrated and was a mess for a week or so...hope this helps in some way.

Just wondering how you are doing. You are probably getting pretty weak from the radiation. One thing I thought I could tell you. It takes a long time to heal from the readiation. I finishe the radiation (36 treatments) last June and the Chemo in Sept. 2006 and I am still healing. Little by little each month it gets better. My mouth and throat are still hurt, but I can eat food as long as I have water and no spices and take it slow. I still have trouble swallowing but the doctor said give it 6 more months.

I have a dear friend who has been battling throat cancer now since 11/05--First treatment was radiation for 6 or so weeks...July 06' cancer was still there,the VA removed half his voice box....Sept 8th: cancer has returned and is spreding.The VA in Phx sent him to LA VA to see a"specialist".He got there and they refused to see him because of money(between the to VA"s)
The surgeon in PHX refuses to treat him any further..He has no other insurance or s/s...What is he to do?

Go to social security and try to get medicare help immediately. Go to a great hospital and ask for help. I don`t think they will turn him away. Try anything to get help at a good hospital.

Go to the local newspaper and ask for help by way of a story printed in the paper.

If he is a veteran go to the local American Legion, VFW ALSO AND ASK FOR HELP. That is what their for.

Please let me know his status.

Ron