DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Derdens girlfriend cancer update.

So, I have been at the Cleveland Clinic since thursday, staying with my gf, as she just had a preemptive surgery.

I couldn't find my last post on here, so I'll just fill everyone in on what's going on so far. My gf is 36, we've been together going on 4 years. And over the summer she began complaining of a sore throat. After a month of no improvement she went to the er, where they gave her a pharyngitis diagnosis. A couple months later, with no improvement, she returned to the same er, where they once again said she had a viral infection and pretty much dismissed her concerns.

After another couple months she went back and the finally did some investigative scans, only to discover a mass in her purified sinus, which they said, looked a lot like cancer. Then they took her immediately to Hillcrest, and scheduled a biopsy, after the biopsy came back the diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma, stage 4, which basically means that it's a large tumor, though they said throat cancer is a bit different in that stage 4 isn't a death sentence, instead stage 4 is then divide into a,b,c,and d. A, being the most treatable, and D, untreatable.

So, upon her last visit to the dr they found that the tumor was so big they were worried that it may block her airway, and so Thurs, they performed a tracheostomy to secure her airway as we move forward with treatment.

And treatment-wise, they were recommending surgery, and removing the tumor, and voicebox, followed by radiation and chemo--they said this would provide nearly 100% shot at curing this for good.

My gf though, being 36, has her mind made up that she is going to do everything in her power to keep her voice--even if that takes her possible cure rate from 100%, down to 50%-60%.

And so that's where we are, she got the trach to secure her breathing through chemo and radiation, and we are praying that she can beat this thing through non-invasive ways, because she is dead set against the surgical alternative which would involve losing her vocal chords and speaking through a stoma for the remainder of her life.

The thing that scares me right now though, is after seeing the tumor using the scope, it is obviously, causing serious swelling to the right false vocal chord, though the swelling is not certain to be cancerous, but it's scary none the less bc, if it is cancerous, then the next 6 weeks of treatment wouldn't be totally effective. And that would mean surgery after the 6 weeks of treatment, followed by another 6 weeks of treatment.

Basically, my gf has elected to take a serious gamble with her life, all based on her fear of losing her voicebox. Though I Accept That Its Her Life, And Her decision.

So any prayers out there, we'd appreciate any thoughts and prayers for us moving forward.

thank you all..

Derden.

And just to add, as we've been dealing with this for the past few months, tragedy also struck next door, as my neighbor was abducted from his home and murdered. As if things weren't bad enough. And in the spirit of things happening in 3's, I was in a terrible car accident the 22nd, and totalled my vehicle. The universe certainly seems against us right now.

But I guess there's no where to go but up from here.

Hang in there.

I wish your GF all the best. it's times like these that test you. Hang in there....

prayers for her and you. good to hear that you are there supporting her.

Derd:

I urge you to investigate this option before she makes any irreversible decisions regarding her long-term health:


http://www.ted.com/talks/rupal_patel_synthetic_voices_as_unique_as_fingerprints?language=en#t-55035

http://www.ted.com/speakers/rupal_patel

I heard about this a year ago. I'm seriously considering volunteering my own sounds to this noble effort:

https://www.vocalid.co/


Tyler: I hope you and Yours will give this option serious consideration. If her future health chances could be doubled by taking the recommended treatment, this could provide a viable option that she may actually want, when all the facts are weighed. I'm not sure, but it may even be possible for her to enter the program, AND BANK HER OWN VOICE to be used after surgery.

I could offer prayers, well-wishes, and positive energy your way, but I choose to support you with a real-world option that may help immediately.

PLEASE check this out... and if you feel it's right, I implore you to share it with You Lady

all my very best,
Clem


p.s. Inbox is always open, as you know.

It's tough when those you love take such risks. My moms kidneys were failing and she was just in such bad health in general, that she chose not to have dialysis. She said she was tired of living in such bad health and fighting all the time. It made it very hard to support her decision knowing it would extend her life.

But that's what we must do for the ones we love. My prayers go out to both of you.

Tyler, prayers and well wishes on the way.

I have been praying for both Heather and you since you since you originally posted about her situation. I will continue to do pray for both of you.

Please let her know that we are praying for her. (and know that we are praying for you as well)

Prayers are on the way for her and for you Tyler.

Wow Derden.

That sucks.

Please let your girlfriend know some stranger in Connecticut (that would be me) is thinking about her.

^^^ Bump. Please keep Derden and his girlfriend in your prayers.

My thoughts are with you two.

Thank you...she is outta the hospital for now...after spending 6 days there following the tracheostomy. We are home now, and it's tough on her having to worry about cleaning the trach out everyday. And since she just got the trach, part of the conditions with her coming home, she can't be left alone, we always need someone here with her, so I'm with her all the time, except when I work. ..then her parents come and stay with her....

it's been hard on her so far. ...and Monday we have to be at the Cleveland clinic at 730am to begin her chemo and radiation. ..so, I guess that's the next step in this battle....

Thank you all for the kind words. ..

It sounds like things are progressing, so that's great.

I'll continue praying for her. (and for you as well)

So just giving another update here. We are into the second week of treatment, and after commuting the first week, we went ahead and got ourselves a room at the hope lodge, which, for those who don't know, is a hotel type place available for free to cancer patients at the Cleveland clinic, or UH.

It's a pretty decent setup here. Kind of like a dorm or group home in that you share some common rooms, kitchens, laundry; with some unique perks like a free food pantry, workout equipment, free meals from area restaurants (little italy/ university circle), and private rooms and bathrooms...so it's alright.

It's not the Hilton, but it's quiet, comfortable, has a private shuttle bus that will cart you back and forth to the clinic at nearly any time of day...

And so staying here beats the hour long commute from portage county everyday. .

Ok, so that's enough from the Hope Lodge brochure. In regards to our lives, this is the beginning of week two.

We are in week two, and the gf is loaded up on P-killers and anti-nausea pills to combat the side effects of radiation and chemo.

They just added some fentanyl patches today to pair with the 1000 ml of liquid oxycodone they give her to cope with the pain, and a fifth pill to throw into the anti - nausea circus.

Something else I learned so far, is that in my girl's case at least, chemotherapy is a six hour ordeal each treatment.

First, 2 hours of hydration through an IV, then 2 hours of chemo drugs administered through an IV, and finally, another 2 hours of hydration through an IV.

In other news though.....we actually got some GREAT NEWS today. Today, the doctors met with us to describe to us how the tumor is melting away. In fact, the tumor has nearly been reduced in size by half in just 8-9 days of treatment.

The drs are so impressed with the progress that they are making with the radiation, that this Thursday they are all meeting to discuss how they need to change the treatment, and shrink the radiation area to conform with the smaller area that's malignant.

The drs were all literally giddy this morning with the success they are showing so far...they couldn't wait to tell us the good news....

So thank everyone for the prayers and keep them coming. ..

Thank you all,

Derden & his miss bb...

prayers continue

Wow! Great news. Hang in there. She is fortunate to have you by her side. God Bless! Lifting you both up in prayer.

Hang in there Tyler. My father-in-law is sitting it out right now at Cancer Treatment Centers here in Tulsa. Keep fighting, you can win.

That's great news!

Hey man............I avoided opening this thread because of what I might find. That was cowardly on my part.

You probably don't know this, but I had a tumor [the size of a softball] removed from my carotid artery last May. In case you aren't familiar, the carotid artery is in your throat and it supplies blood and oxygen to your brain. Right by the aorta.

I kept things quiet on here and didn't confide w/too many people. One night I got drunk and spilled the beans on a Gordon thread. Wish I wouldn't have done that.

Anyway.........I can empathize w/what you and your loved ones are going through. You can PM me and I'll give you my phone number. Please do NOT share that number w/anyone...no matter what. But, I wanna help you guys. I got through it. There are some things I learned that may help. There are things to consider in case the worst happens.

I'm here for you both. Always will be. I'd rather keep it just between us, though.

The good news is rolling in....

I couldn't be happier for you both. It's great that she has you by her side... and you've always got us in your corner, as well.

I know that the focus should rightly be on your lady, but don't forget about yourself, as well. This sort of thing takes a toll on everyone who loves her.

If needed, you know my inbox address. It's in the same place that it's always been.


Deep Support,
Clem

I am so happy for this news. Always open threads like this with a smudge of dread but what great news!
Prayers go on!

Tell her that we are still praying for her. (and know that we are praying for you as well) Praise God that she is progressing far faster than anyone expected. That is fantastic news!

After she is fully recovered, you better make your Mrs, instead of your Miss.

Thank you for the great update!

Great news! Glad to hear it!

Knowing Portage County after hearing the pain meds she is getting , it is probably like the zombie apocalypse outside your house.

But keep fighting, sounds hopeful

With all pain and terror she's enduring at least she can find some joy because you are there.

Truly hoping for the best for you both.

Still keeping both of you in my prayers.

I've lost my Dad, my Mom, and last December my younger sister to cancer, so I have a partial appreciation of your trial. Hang in there, both of you...

Sounds great so far Tyler. Hope things continue on this path. Prayers sent as always.

That's some seriously good news! That's the sort of thing that will reinvigorate the will to fight when times are tough.

My oldest brother is currently fighting cancer, I well appreciate your struggles.

Stay strong (she needs it)!

Well. ..I'm back to sleeping in the hospital tonight.

After getting some good news last week, we went home for the weekend and Sunday she wasn't feeling to good and she took her temp, and it read 102.6...

Sunday evening it was reading the same, and our oncologist had instructed us to go to the er if her temp was ever 100.4 or higher..

So we immediately packed a bag and went to the er...after they drew what seemed like a quart of blood. .they admitted her and put her in a room with a preliminary diagnosis of pneumonia.

After a bunch of tests today, they found that she was aspirating? Which, from what I've gathered, means that she is having problems with her swallowing.

And they hooked her up to this x-ray machine with this barium solution that they gave her by the half teaspoon. And as she swallowed they recorded the process with the x-ray machine so you could actually see the fluid down her throat. This really illustrated the problem.

She is running into trouble where food and drink isn't always going down the right tube...and as they gave hera half teaspoon you could see that it didn't go down Smoothly, and when it did go down the right tube, it often took her several swallows just to get a half teaspoon down.

So they believe that her current pneumonia is the result of food particles and such getting into her lungs.

And they've taken her off of solid food while in the hospital, and all she is allowed currently is ice chips and popsicles...until tomorrow.

Tomorrow she is scheduled to get a peg tube put in...which is a tube that is inserted in your belly as a direct line to the stomach. ..a feeding tube. And this will allow her to get all her calories without the risk of imbibing her food and beverages into her lungs, and without the tediousness of having to swallow 4-5 times just to get down a half teaspoon.

They said she'll still be able to eat normally, but her selection will be extremely limited, and it will be primarily for pleasure. .like having a bit of pudding or ice cream, or a few bites of solid food, in super small bits, chewed really well. .

And the feeding tube will be used for the majority of the calories she'll be getting. ..so eating normally will be for pleasure, and the tube will be for business. ...

They stressed that she's only got another 3.5 weeks of treatment left, and these are the really tough weeks so she'll need all the nutrition that she can get..and without the constant threat of choking bc the food went down the wrong tube.,,

She is really bummed about it too....first she got the trach tube that she didn't want, and now she's got to get a feeding tube she doesn't want..

On the bright side is that they are both kinda preemptive procedures. .putting things in place to avoid serious issues down the line, and none of these things are permanent, but she still hates it...

And it really sucks from my position, cuz I hate seeing her upset like this. ..but I keep telling her, it's all a means to an end. ..

So keep us in your prayers as we keep rolling along on this journey, testing our resolve and perseverance. .

Thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes. ..

Sincerely

DERDEN AND HIS MISS BB...

Way to keep hanging in there.



Despite all that she's going through, she's still a lucky person....
...she has you by her side.


I couldn't be prouder of you. These are the things a Real Man does.

Prayers continue daily for both of you. I am certain that she will beat this, especially with your strong support.

I have not stopped praying for both of you bro. Keeping you two in my thoughts and prayers.

Stay Strong Tyler, I am pretty close to you so if you need anything dont be afraid to ask

It's awful for her.......but, it is also very tough for you. I agree w/Clem in regards to you being a real man. You are doing the right thing. It's gotta be hard, but you are a shining example of what a good man is.

Again, please pm me if you ever want to talk.

Good luck and God bless.

Quoted for TRUTH! I admire you greatly! Prayers for you both.

You and the lady are in a tough spot Tyler. I wish you the best. Stay strong...