My husband has mandibular grade 3.5 squamous cell cancer. He had surgery where they removed 3/4 of his jaw and a portion of his tongue. He cannot swallow because half goes into the stomach and half into the lungs. He has a stomach PEG. He is to have 6 cans of Peptamen each day and 7 to 8 cups of water. I'm lucky to get 4 cans in him. But he IS getting enough water.

My question for anyone out there is this: He has had 25 out of 30 radiation treatments. He does not want to go back and finish them. He has until Sept 16 to make a final decision. After that the radiation/oncology doctor says it's too late to continue treatments. He doesn't think the last 5 treatments will make a difference.

Thanks in advance for any input.

HI,

I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE TREATMENTS THEMSELVES AND CAN ONLY TELL YOU WHAT I KNOW ABOUT MY FRIENDS BATTLE WITH CANCER...SHE HAD 34 OF 37 TREATMENTS...THE DOCTORS TOLD HER SHE DID NOT NEED THE ADDITIONAL 3...IF THE DOCS FELT THAT YOUR HUSBAND DIDNT NEED THEM, THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LET IT GO...OTHERWISE, HE SHOULD GET ALL ADVISED TREATMENTS...

I AM ASSUMING A LOT OF RESEARCH, EFFORT AND TIME GO INTO FIGURING OUT WHAT WORKS BEST ON EACH CANCER ACCORDING TO LOCATION, SIZE, ETC...MY ADVICE, IF IT WERE MY HUSBAND, IS TO HAVE THE REMAINING 5 TREATMENTS ADMINISTERED...

I IMAGINE IT IS HARD AND MAKES HIM TIRED AND UNCOMFORTABLE (WATCHED MY FRIEND GO THROUGH SURGERY, CHEMO AND RAD) BUT IT IS BEST TO GO WITH THE DOCS ADVICE...IN MY OPINION.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND!
JO

Hi 47, I know just how your hubby feels the last week of radio is very hard to do as you feel so awful you can't face it. BUT you HAVE to do it! Think maybe the tumour is not quite dead it is just very very withered - finish the ba----rd off!! Hopefully for good!
Sue

Dear Friend its a hell of a choice not seeing the RT through.

I had 2/3 chemo sessions but the last one was cancelled due to not feeling well enough, counts were low etc but after 33 RT fractions and a neck dissection I asked the Doctor about missing the last session. His view was that the 1st two should of done the job.

As for missing radiotheraphy it was never on the cards the last week was hell, at one point unable to speak writing things down and struggling to drink anything apart from water it was a challenge. I counted down the days and when the last one came there was a sense of relief as I went back to ward and quietly smiled. That was one month ago today it seems like a lifetime, in fact some of the last week is now a blur but one which I know is important to my longevity on this wonderful planet.