Rare Cancer Support Forum

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS I WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO ANSWER RE: MY PROCEDURE

My sister is currently undergoing chemo.radiaiton treatments for sqaumous cell - nasal cavity that has spread mid face and to the skull base, The doctos here in one of the best cancer hospitals in the world here in Houston are saying she needs a "miracle." She came from Australia wheere her doctors back in April were offered palliative care and were going to remover her eye but not offering a cure. Since she has been here she has had all her teeth extracted (they were in bad shape) and has since started treatment but is has spread very fast and they don't think they can cure it. I feel like I bought here and she would have a chance and I am so devastated I don't know what to think. The doctors here are amazed this this has grown so fast... nobody expected this.

Thanks for any advice4

Scweet,

I am visiting my son in Houston right now. If you are at MD Anderson, then I have to assume that they have done a thorough workup and a second pathology check on her tumor. There are surgeons in the US that could do the surgery, close to the brain. I know, because I have had it done for another medical condition that I have. But, if it is spreading aggressively, then they may not feel that the surgery would slow the growth rate. Curative means that all of the tumor can be removed and the growth rate of any residual cancer cells can be totally stopped.

If nothing can be done that is curative, then your sister needs you now more than she has ever needed you in her life. She needs you to hold her hand and give her love and support and reassurance that her children will grow up to be healthy, happy, adults. If you sit back, hold her hand, and listen to her; you will find out exactly what she needs from you right now. But, you cannot do that if you are feeling heavily laden with your own guilt. Let it go. It does not help you or your sister. Love her, hug her, listen to her......

Patricia posted that in 2005. She is no longer a member of the forums. Not sure what happened to her, sadly.