Hi everyone my brother has just been told he has squamous cell cancer. Grade T2N2cMO. Dont know what this means. He is going to start treatment in about 4 weeks. He is not on the net yet and i want to be as much help as i can to him.

Hi there (what's your name?)
Welcome to the greatest support group you'll find anywhere. Sorry you have a need to come on board but believe me in tough times this is the place where you will find information, comfort and a shoulder to lean on.
Where is Len's cancer? Is he having surgery? Chemo? R/t? Or a combination of the above? There will be others on the forum who have had the same, you can bet your boots on that one and you will soon be swamped with info.
T2 is the stage of the cancer ~ I think 4 is the one you don't want. N2 means two nodes are involved and M0 means that is has not spread. This is my understanding and no doubt someone will be able to give you a more technical explanation.
Keep us posted as to how you and yours are travelling and don't hesitate to seek what you need from this forum.
Sending you all the best from Down Under
Deborah

thank you for reply. My name is Alvena. Lens cancer is in his throat. he is going to have 6 1/2 weeks of r/t and chemo. He was 61 this week, he lives half of the time with my mum, (to help look after her) the other half with his girlfriend. He starts his treament begining of Nov, as he has a holiday booked at end of Oct his consultant has said it will not make much difference to wait 2 more weeks to start treatment. I think the holiday will do him and his girlfreind good before it all begins. When the treatment starts making him feel rough he may come and stay with myself and family. So i expect I will be asking for help from the forum. He is at the dentist now having his teeth checked out before treatment. He hates dentists.
All the best to you all
Alvena

Hi Alvena, it's unfortunate that anyone needs a site like this but you've definately come to the right place for help and support. Hagg.

Hi alvena
T2 indicates the size of the tumour N2c is lymph nodes involved meaning it has moved from the initial site into the glands near the primary.Its not a bad staging but these figures are just guide lines and dont necessarily mean that much.Is he only having Rads? no surgery or chemo?

liz

hi liz
he is also having chemo, and if all goes well surgery next year on his neck

alvena

hi all, my brother is in his third week of treatment. He is not feeling too great, doesnt want to eat as everything tastes like ( ). And when he does he is sick. He is trying to drink ensure, but i think it is time to use his peg. I feel so helpless got quite upset tonight talking to him. His throat sounds raw, I feel so helples dont knw what to do to help him. Love to you all

Hi Alvena
Your brother is well along in his treatment now. I hope he was able to enjoy his holiday before starting.
The symptoms you describe sound normal for where he is at, time wise in the treatment. It is very cruel and if he has a PEG then he should save himself some distress at least and use it. Why put himself through the trauma of putting something down his sore throat if he doesn't have to. His weight will probably drop anyway, so at least he will be able to get more nourishment in if he uses his PEG.
As a carer, it is a very distressing time and I'm not surprised that you have been upset. You feel so useless and there is nothing you can do but 'be there', offer as much comfort as you can and do whatever you can for him so that he can save his strength for coping with his symptoms and then his healing.
It's tough for you all. Hang in there. Honestly, it's very hard to believe this, but you will soon be looking back and saying that you can't believe 6-7 weeks have passed already. Use the forum whenever you need to, that's what we're all here for and we have all been where you are.
Thinking of you.
Deborah

Thanks Deborah, we had a scare this morning, my mum rang who he is staying with. Said his temp was up and been vomiting all night. He had chemo yesterday, this 1 has wiped him out. They spoke to the hospital, and they told him to go straight there. She couldnt go with him as she is disabled, she was very upset. I was getting my little boy ready for school, so my eldest son met him at the station. I have just spoked to him Len is on a drip to get some fluid into him, and they are going to put him on some stronger anti sickness drugs. Hopefully this will make him feel a bit better before he has his radio today. Love to you all Alvena

Tell Len if you can to keep going. What Deborah, wow what an amazing couple, has said earlier is so true, its a hard journey but it does get better, and thats just such a pleasant suprise. The recovery starts to accelerate after 2 months. To offer a factual reply,, four months after treatment and my weight exceeds 73kilo. I was 85, went to 69, the old ensure diet eh, and I can taste normally, somehow. Can't drink strong lager or eat hot curries yet, or cider. And as always Guinness has to be the most expensive pint you can order doesn't it.

Keep us posted, best wishes to you both, Nigel.