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Termyn8or -> RE: Armchair doctors, get in your armchair (12/5/2008 9:19:56 PM)
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The update is in and it is not pretty. They highly suspect cancer of the larynx and want to operate. They wanted him to go have his remaining teeth pulled because they might take part of his jaw. They were talking feeding tubes and all this and he pretty much nixed that. He has no problem with his jaw, but some figure if you're in there to get cancer, get all the cancer. However he will not live like that. Neither would I.
He will never let them cut him up like that, and I agree. As hard as it is for him to talk now, the cure is clearly worse than the disease to him, as it is to me. He is due to see them again next week, and will have many questions.
First of all do they have any evidence that it is cancer and not an infection or some other irritation ? second of all, why is it surgery all of the sudden ? Isn't it usually chemo or radio first when it comes to things like this ? And last but not not least, what is the prognosis if treatment is simply refused ? In other words how long until he chokes to death in the middle of the night ?
There are many other questions. Why the jaw, it is not causing any problems. Even if they did a laryngectomy he could form words and use one of those buzz boxes. You can't do that with a breathing and feeding tubes in you and half of your jaw missing. To not be able to talk would kill him anyway. Leave the jaw alone and he might go for it. He would give radiotherapy a try he says, but not chemotherapy. He is actually being as realist because in his state now, pretty much delapidated and out of energy, anything worse might not be worth living. He cares not about losing his hair and all that, but he does not want to be sick all the time.
I want him to bring me in, to the doctor with him for a consultation, I want to know how the jaw is involved, a feeding tube in not an option, period. This Man loves to cook and eat, teeth or not (most of them are gone but he gets it done). I want to hear the whole story because even though I am not as fast on my feet, I can think and absorb fast, and respond. He is slowing down. This massive surgery is not an option, what are the other options ? I could probably glean alot more information, especially since this hit him like a brick in the head.
More info mid next week. I will mention going with him, taking a day off work, which he will not like, but priorities changes sometimes.
T
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