...but in our case, we did! We were resolved to accept whatever happened but the doctors agree that 5 1/2 half weeks of radiation will be sufficient to cure the cancer in Ernie's throat as well as in his lymph nodes!!!! We didn't realize until today that they could select different durations for different tumors.
At least 95% and perhaps all of the tumor in his throat is gone. There is something small remaining on the left side but it could be scar tissue and not tumor. The doctors claim Ernie had a remarkable response to the treatment as his tumor was very large when he was diagnosed--it extended from his throat to his tonsils to his upper palate, which was very red. To have it "melt away" like and leave his throat looking so normal is what they hope for.
Even if they could determine that all of the tumor was gone, he would still need to undergo radiation to insure that it does not return--a concern for this type of cancer. So on October 3, Ernie will begin his new regime of radiation 5 days per week combined with chemotherapy (one drug only) 1 day per week. He also sees his radiologist for a consult one day per week. So three days a week we will be at the hospital for one hour and the other two days, two to three hours. We get to choose from the available time slots when Ernie goes for his first treatment.
Our last decision concerns whether or not to have a feeding tube inserted. This is standard protocol here but they are giving Ernie the chance to opt out based on his schleroderma. Schleroderma can cause the body to create excessive scar tissue in response to injury. We have to let them know by Thursday. Stay tuned.
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