Only a few months

[Jenniferwang]

Had radiation twice and it still coming back. We are at the end of radiation. If we do another round of radiation it will his last. But will have higher risk of damaging the nerve and muscle on the neck and right arm. Going to ask cancer doctor next week what other options do we have. Not going to lose without a fight. 

[looker_labs]

How many rounds of chemo?

It would be better if the radiation was interspersed with the chemo

especially if radiation is showing any improvement in t or b cells.

Typically chemo is less damaging to the tissues than radiation.

There will be some damage from agressive radiation, but this can and

should be administered in multiple locations (perhaps 5) with less

in the areas showing atrophy.

THERE IS NO REASON TO STOP AT 3 RAD. TREATMENTS

[Jenniferwang]

Doctor had tried 4 different types of chemo over the past year and a half. Killed most of his cancer apart from his neck, under his armpit and in his head. Consider all chemo failed. Hence we tried radiation with immune therapy. Radiation on the neck and under his armpit. It worked for a few months but the neck came back. Had another round of radiation this january at the neck but it came back again now. Seen the radiation doctor in late may and he said if we do another round of radiation at the neck it will be his last and his risk of damaging the throat, neck muscle and nerve to his neck and right arm will be 20%. May lose his ability to turn his neck and use his right arm. We heard this we decided to put on hold and let his cancer specialists find another trial drug to test on him. We are now waiting on news.

As to why only 3 rounds is max that is what doctor said. We asked and his explanation was the tissue and nerve in that area neck is thin compared to other parts of body. Hence max is 3 rounds. 

[CaptainAustrali]

It's a tricky balance.  I've had only 1 round of radiation for head and neck cancer, and if the cancer returned, I would (apparently) be refused more radiation.

Why ?  Because the treatments are all evidence based, and they have data that continued saturation with the radiation will cross over a tipping point where rather than killing the cancer & killing you slowly, it will just kill you quickly.  

Immunotherapy is a great and fascinating direction for the science, the gene & immuno stuff has the potential to make the current orthodox treatments look like ignorant torture chambers in comparison.  Imagine wearing a patch over the compromised organ where a biotic gel is then released slowly into the tissue, and it genetically interferes with the cancer mutation and slowly reverses it ?

Hopefully that stuff helps your husband.  But yeah, I think if a doctor refuses radiation, the only way you'd get access to continued treatment is money (bribe and blackmail) or fraud (change his name and say he's never had radiation before).  If the alternative were certain death, I supppose I'd find a way to do it .. but if there were alternative treatments available, they're no doubt less dangerous (and hopefully more effective!) than continued chemoradiation.

[Mani]

Hi Jennifer

I was diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoma ten years ago.  I had both Hodgkin and Non-Hodgekin, an unusual case doctors said.  I had a Bon Marrow Transplant in 2012 and I have enjoed the seven years since then.  Before cancer I had my own lucrative Professional Practice, but with cancer and betrayl of my business partners I had to wind that up.  For about 18 months I went through deep depression.  But, looking back now I have lived long enough to see my two children complete school, one is almost completing university and other in the first year.

With positve attitude and a fighting sprit one can fight the cancer and keep the death away.  Now, about two months ago, I was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia (a side effect of intensive chmo I had in 2012).  I am told untreated my life expectancy is 1.6 years.  Treatment is highly risky.  

FIGHT ON AGAIN.  I WANT TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE MY CHILDREN EMPLOYED, MARRIED AND HAVE CHILDREN.

[Kris1]

Jennifer 

you are a brave lady. My husband’s diagnosis was 20 days ago. Stage 4 esophageal cancer with metastasis to liver and adrenal glands. He’s 59, never smoked and we are facing terrible odds. The big comprehensive cancer center we tried offered only palative chemo. We came back to be treated by more rural docs, but some with fighting spirit. We start Tuesday. It is so hard to see him in such discomfort and not be able to fix this. It’s so hard to know that I may not have him in 90 days. I try to stay focused and make sure I do everything I can to help him each day with research, appointments , nutrition and basic care. Doing that allows me to sleep at night. Doing everything possible and then handing the rest to God. That’s all I can offer and I’m not sure it’s gonna be enough, because I feel more abandoned by God now even though I know it’s not true, I just feel that because this seems so very unfair.

one ray of hope I’ve found is use of keytrudia in trials, super promising and worth asking about. I’m also a big believer in nutrition to starve the disease. You may not be able to kill it, but you can slow it down. Everyday you keep him here is a day closer to the promise of a cure. Your family is in my prayers 

[Jenniferwang]

Hi Kris1,

Sorry to hear about your husband. It is a very tough journey for love ones of a cancer patient. I always say life is unfair and also keep asking why this happen to my husband. But my friend told me, life is fair just for some it is more fair than others and things always happen for a reason just sometimes we cannot understand the reason. 

2 years on and unfortunately my husband lost the battle and passed on 12th August 2019. He was only 42 years old. It was never easy dealing with this when he was fighthing for his life but it is harder now without him around. I lost my soul mate, my best freind and the love of my life. 

Now it's still raw but i wake up everyday telling myself i made a promise to him and i will try  to be happy after he passed. I am greatful he gave me these last 2 years to be with him and take care of him. He always try to make me smile whenever he gets the strength and he always tell me he loves me every morning and every night. I am grateful.

Please take care of yourself and all the best to you both

[Budgie]

Hi Jenniferwang, 

My deepest sympathies for your loss.  Please don't forget that we are here for you still.  Take care & look after yourself .

Budgie