My father a veteran of 22 years just got diagnosed with stage [...]

Posted by danielletc @danielletc, Feb 9, 2016

My father a veteran of 22 years just got diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. Today the biopsy confirmed it. We live in the Houston area. My mother and I are doing everything we can to support him. His medical coverage wont cover MD Anderson any longer. I just feel as though his medical team may not be competent enough. No one knows what the others doing. I'm scared for whats to come. I font want him to die.

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Seth | @ponderit | Feb 11, 2016

Hi Danielle,
I also had stage 4a throat cancer (tonsil). There are plenty of competent doctors to help your dad. At first I did not go to a big cancer clinic. I thought I would be more comfortable in my own home. Did 7 Cisplatin and 37 radiation treatments and at the end of it with the next cat scan I was shown NED. No evidence of disease. Do some searches on the doctor's and then when you find one you might want to have that doctor recommend another. All doctors except if they are doing a research trials have to follow what they call standard of care. If you do a search on standard of care for throat cancer you will see they have certain options for your dad/ Personally I did pretty ok with the treatment. Have him eat whatever he wants now as he will be losing some weight throughout treatment. You are probably going to want a peg and feeding tube for your dad. The port is for the chemo infusions and the feeding tube is there do if he cant eat through his mouth he wll be able to eat through the tube.> i could go on and on but if you have any more questions please feel free to contact me...I think my personal email is attached to this post...good luck. Just know that even at later stages like a stage 4 it is more easily cured than it used to be.Do you know if he was HPV 16+. If he is, that would also be a good thing as far as this cancer is concerned.

Bernice Reese | @bernicereese1 | Feb 11, 2016

My brother law had throat cancer. He went to cancer America in Pennsylvania. They specialize in this type cancer. He is now cancer free for 12 years. Just keep fighting you can beat this 
 
Bernice Reese

Ellie | @Elliem | Feb 11, 2016

The scariest part of this journey is right at the beginning. Don't play the "what if " game. Slow down and take one day at a time. Don't give up hope. If, you are not confident with your Doctors, tell them what you are feeling. Give it some time, you can always change doctors later. It's important to find out how your dad feels about his doctors. 
I have stage 4 colon cancer with lung tumors. I've been there. I am two and half years out and still in treatment every other week. Never give up hope. God has loved and protected me every step of the way. May God bless you family and keep you and grant you peace. You are in my prayers

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