Dad's recent diagnosis

Hi, sorry that you have this news and my wishes are with your Dad at this difficult time.

I have a few questions as my mum is going through similar but with a different course of action.

My mum has squamous, her staging was T2 ?N1 M0 (now the question mark against the N means there was one suspect lymph node but they weren't sure. 

Now my mum is on radical chemoradiotherapy with curative intent. I was just wondering why you aren't being offered that. Obviously there may be many reasons but do you have anymore information on the staging to share and how many lymph nodes etc?

My mum was told that an operation would be too severe as she is 76 and has AF (mild heart problem) but we were told that chemoradiotherapy is just as successful as an operation with this staging of squamous. 

Do you have anymore information possibly?

Regards

Chris

Thank you for replying and sorry to hear about your Mum.

My Dad just got a phone call on Thursday saying that the PET scan showed the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes and therefore he couldn't have an operation and that they would arrange an appointment with the oncologist, he wasn't told any more information than that and we don't know the staging so that is definitely something I will ask about tomorrow.

It's good to hear that your Mum was told that chemoradiotherapy is just as successful as an operation for her stage.

How is she coping with the chemoradiotherapy?

I will hopefully have more information about my Dad's tomorrow afternoon.

Regards, PJ

Ahh ok I see, yes please let me know what the diagnosis is as its always worth questioning the decisions. 

She coped remarkably well up until last week (after her final session) she's been a bit poorly all week, not eating, sickness etc. but I think things are slowly improving with nutrition drinks etc. 

Yes you will definitely get the staging I would expect so it will give you some more information, what I've learnt off here is always ask the questions to why and why not as there are many options.

Please do let me know.

All the best

Chris

Thank you for your comments Chris, I feel a bit clueless (and helpless) at the moment.

I will let you know how we get on.

Hello PJ100,

I think what would benefit both of you is to get a referral to a hospice nurse. (Either through your GP or through your liaison in hospital.)

They can give you support 24 hours a day, they also tailor a way forward for any individual. You can use their facilities if your dad needs extra care, & I mean at any time. They allow people to go home when they feel better, it's your call on how long you want to stay. You'd get a private room where visiting hours are unrestricted. And you'd get more attention as they have less patients in a hospice.

They will also visit you at home if you need anything at all.

And the best part is they are so friendly & approachable.

It's well worth looking into this, we are using them now & I'm so impressed with their support.

Best wishes to you both,

Regards,

Graeme.

Thank you Graeme, I will ask at the hospital this week (the GP isn't being very helpful).  It will be good for him to have someone at the end of the phone at anytime.

Hi Chris

We were told last week that the staging is T4 as it has metastasized to the lymph nodes.  Dad starts chemo on Wednesday for 9 weeks so will see how things go.

The Oncologist did say that if it hadn't have spread then they would have considered chemoradiotherapy instead of the surgery as the operation is major and they have just as good results with chemoradiotherapy

I hope your Mum is feeling better.

PJ

Hi, thanks for the update. Positivity is the way forward and hopefully the treatment will do it’s job. If all goes well for your Dad he will be following my mums treatment plan exactly. My Mum had one suspect lymph node but it was unconfirmed so she had two pre chemo radiation chemo sessions to treat the lymph node if it was anything sinister. 

If you have any questions please let me know and I wish your Dad all the very best.

Chris