Dad with throat cancer

[sheribee]

Hi all, my dad aged 60, has just been diagnosed with throat cancer, it is in his voice box.
The doc says its a very agressive form, and has only just started to spread, a small growth to the back of his throat.
He has to wait 5 weeks to start radiotherapy, and have a special face mask made, and have traetment 5 days a wk for 4 wks.
My question really is, will waiting 5 weeks make much difference ( they said its the quickest they can fit him in) And what are the survival rates for cancer of the voice box?
He feels very ill, and is of course terrified he will die and i feel at a loss to know what to say to him. xx many thanks to u all xxxx

[Sachs]

Hi sheribee!
I have no personal experience, but a work friends husband was just given the all clear today from cancer of the voice box! Went through the same procedure as you have given. So, I would say, never give up hope eh? xxx

[countrykid]

Hi Sheribee, Like Sachs, I have no experience of this, though my Dad had bowel cancer, so I can share the way you are currently feeling. All I would say is on your Dad's behalf, push for him to start his treatment sooner than 5 weeks - make a fuss. I'm sure there is a waiting list, but as with most things in life, those that shout loudest etc. I wouldn't normally advocate this approach, but with something such as this, I think it is worth fighting over. My thought are with you. Take care xx

[smudge]

Hi sheribee, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad & at such a young age too.

My brother-in-law had exactly the same thing & went through lots of medical procedures before he could return home & back to as normal a life as possible.

It's heartbreaking watching a loved one suffer, but hope your dad will get through this & be well again soon.

Take care. -xx-

[Schutzengel]

Sheribee. Following on our previous conversations about your ferrets. This message is just to let you know that I am thinking of you, your Dad and your step-mum at this scary and difficult time. My husband had 32 treatments of radiotherapy for prostate cancer, 1 treatment on each of 5 days in each week, and thankfully is now very well, and only on 6 monthly check-ups. He said to tell your Dad that the radiotherapy treatments only last for a few minutes each, and it doesn't hurt at all. Keep thinking positive. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love Schutz.

[Mamyalynne]

what a shock to all of your family my heart is with you i dont know anything about this particular cancer but my husband had to have a mask made for his radio too. I also asked why the wait and they said it would make no difference but push for sooner if you can.

Heartfelt wishes
Mamya xx

[tigerlelly]

5 weeks is a long time particularly with an aggressive cancer. He should start his treatment now. Make a fuss, who cares if it upsets the Drs if it saves or prolongs your Dad's life.
This advice is from a friend who is a GP and whose own father died of throat cancer.

[Hazel104]

Hi Sheribee
I have no experience with this exactly but my mum has recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer so I understand how your feeling and the blow it all is.

A good website I have used is http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lary nx
Lots of info on there and you can call them for advise as well.

I would also speak to the consultant looking after your dad, I am sure they will be happy to talk to you and help reassure you.

Take care and good luck to you and your family, be strong. xxx

[sheribee]

Thanks everyone, unfortunately i live 140 miles away from them, so i am not able to contact the docs.
But i did tell my step mum that she should push things and she will give it a go. But apparently the docs have given him the quickest possible appointment as it is so urgent, 5 weeks seems such a long time!
To make it worse, his neighbour died of throat cancer last year xx

[Naomicorlett]

I paid for first appt privately for my dad and the specialist was so horrifed by the advice and the treatment dad had been given that he saw him on NHS for the rest of his treatment. I really dont approve of the way I did things but it made a huge difference to dad and was worth doing. Ask your step-mum to push hard it's difficult because the carer wants to be liked ( we all think we get better care if we are nice) but sometimes we have to be very strong to get our loved ones seen fast.

[Nannyjillx2]

I'm with Naomi on this. A good friend of my dads had throat cancer and was told she'd have to wait. She paid for an initial private appointment and Mount Vernon took her in and treated her as an in patient for radiotherapy and( then later I believe chemo )as the prof was so appalled at the aggresive nature of the cancer. I think they did take a while to make the mask as I recall

She died aged 90 last year but she might have lived longer had she been prepared to give up smoking.