A couple questions

[MelOtt]

I think this is the right forum

I'm a first-time poster.............
I have a question or two about my situation.
Maybe someone can help me understand.
I have Squamous Cell Carcinoma.First diagnosed
in Febuary of 2007. I'm a 69 year old male.
The Cancer started in left Lymph Node in my neck..
The Doctors did Radiation and Chemotherapy.
That made me free of the cancer for about 6 months.
Then the CT Scan showed 4 spots on my Lungs.
They put me back on Chemotherapy and started
with Taxotere. After the Taxotere I was given Erbitux.
No break between treatments. Then it was on to
Gemzar, again no break between.
My last scan showed the cancer traveled to the brain.
(That is REALLY scary. I don;t want to be a walking
talking vegetable.)
They did full brain radiation.
The Doctors assure me that the cancer nodes are
eliminated. BUT it wll be back.

My questions are ..........
Will the cancer go back to the brain because the
nodes on my lungs haven't been completely removed .
With the last treatment the origonal nodes shrunk but
four new ones showed up.

I had an honest discussion with the doctor and was
told to get my affairs in order. I was told I have about
6 months to a year.
This makes no sense to me.
If the nodes on my lungs are small as they say.
(They are telling me the lungs can take alot and
still function.) They check my body oxygen content
all the time and with some minor exercise stays at
an excepted level
The time they gave me doesn't make sense.
If the nodes on the brain are really gone and the lungs
are still working well enough, why such a short time ?
Thanks in advance for any help.

Mel

[melkissa]

Forgive me, I don't usually post in this forum.
I can't be positive, but based on your history of the cancer recurring more quickly each time it seems that they believe the same thing will happen again. Most likely, they are thinking the cancer will return soon and be more aggressive than before. That is the only thing I can think of?
Cancer, no matter what kind, is quite a roller coaster and you never know what to expect. It truly has a mind of it's own. Your health can change and start declining so quickly. On that same token, your health could stay steady and you could remain cancer free or the cancer progresses very slowly and you could live for a few more years. You never really know for sure.
My advice would be to sit down with your doctor and ask him your list of questions. Also get your affairs in order, just in case. What would it hurt? Spend as much time as you can with your family & friends and make the most of your time left, however long that may be. I am so sorry for your situation. Many hugs and positive thoughts going your way. I can't imagine your position. Please stick around and vent anytime you need to.

[brainman]

Hi MelOtt, your hunch was right... you did not post in the correct forum . Do not worry or be embarrassed by this... many people do it... especially in the beginning. Since squamous cell cancers are one type of skin cancer, I moved you post to the correct forum.

I really do not know much about squamous cell carcinomas, their treatment, or the prognosis. However, I have one suggestion. In addition to getting your "affairs in order" you might want to spend some time thinking about what you would still like to do with whatever time you have left.

MelOtt, you are in my thoughts and prayers.