Well after 8 wks of cistplatin chemo and 6 wks radiotherapy in the summer things seemed to be shrinking nicely up until a month ago.

Sadly cancer is now on my husbands lungs and several nodes have come up on his neck. It is inoperable and although he has requested not to know the Macmillan nurse has made me aware that there is no chance of cure now. (although I'm sure he must be aware of this really)

He is about to embark on 6 3wkly cycles of Taxotere in the hopes that this will slow things down. Having read up on this here and elsewhere it seems to be suggested for use with other chemo, rather than as a stand alone treatment.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Sorry not to have posted for a while, I hope all those undergoing treatment are looking at more positive outcomes.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Jane

Hi Jane, Sorry no answers for you but just to say so sorry to hear your news and that I am thinking of you.

Hi jane

I think Taxotere is used on its own following unsuccessful previous chemotherapy.It is only used in conjunction with other drugs as a first line treatment so dont worry.

love liz

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cookey,

Angiebaby, thank you.

So kind of you. Unfortunately my husband was diagnosed too late to save him. We have 3 children under four years old. I feel very strongly about the need for early diagnosis and the role dentists should play in this. If anyone could point me in the direction of useful groups / websites I would be grateful.

Thank again Angiebaby, I hope you are well

Jane

Thank you Cookey

The consultants have said that the taxotere is purely a palliative 'symptom control' treatment ( as I'm sure you knew but were too discreet to say). We have had a long consultation today and know that my husband is not expected to survive long. 6 - 18 months, best guesstimate.

Thank you again for your reassurance; it did help

Jane

Gees Jane, so dreadful. You make my count my blessings. My husband has lived to see his childred grow up and I hope he will live to see his granschildren grown up. If you read some of Liz's postings, she seems to be getting to grips with late diagnosis.

So very sorry, however will you manage?

Hi Jane
When Rob was given his prognosis (Weeks not months) we couldn't speak to each other for a couple of hours.I dropped Rob off at home and drove off alone with the dog,to try and get myself together.I didnt know what to say to him .I couldn't begin to imagine how it feels to be told your life is over when it has hardly begun.

The lung mets were a terrible shock,but were not really a factor as his neck tumour was so rampant,but i think for me the most profound thing Rob said to me was "I knew i wasnt going to make it,i just thought i would have a bit longer,like maybe six months or so" That broke my heart, but in the end it was just 21 days from the day he was told he was terminal.

Sometimes i think even that time was too long for any one to suffer the way he did,and most of the time i just wanted him to stay at any price,but that was for me not him.

Time is just a number,i have a good friend on the OCF who was diagnosed as terminal 5 months ago,and was treated with palliative chemo.At this moment she is in California saying goodbye to her daughter.She doesnt regret one moment of the treatment she has had, as it has reduced her lung tumour by fifty percent and given her the opportunity to make that important journey,and when she comes home on Monday and has her strength back ,i am going to meet her at Beverly Christmas Fair.

Bottom line Jane use the time whatever it may be,the best way you can.Treat every day as if it may be the last,never leave anything unsaid ,Start to build up your future memories do things you may have put off and most of all love if you need an ear i am here for you.

What you are facing is the hardest thing you will ever have to do, and unfortunately it will not end when it is over,for you that will be the beginning of something you cant even begin to imagine.

My thoughts are with you, and i know from somewhere you will find the strength that you need.

love liz