We spent several hours this morning getting ready for Raymond to go to his consultation with the radiation doctor, then going with him to that appointment. LeRoy and Raymond’s cousin, Phyllis Mosher, arrived yesterday and was here for the doctor visit. It really wore him out, but they were able to make the mask and mark the tattoos for radiation. Seven weeks of radiation, five days a week will begin on June 11. We have been instructed about what he can and cannot do during radiation, but some of the things are not applicable since he is fed and hydrated by tubes. He gets nothing by mouth except small amounts of ice chips.
One bit of information that just slipped out as though we already knew: he has MRSA, apparently in his trach! You’d think someone would have told us that rather pertinent information! Well, we know now, and will take all the precautions necessary.
This afternoon, LeRoy and Phyllis were in Raymond’s room when the chemotherapy doctor came. He says that the information we had on the type of cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) was only partially correct. Raymond really has spindle cell carcinoma, a highly malignant variant of squamous cell that makes up 2% to 3% of all laryngeal cancers. In the coming days, we will find out about treatment for it, but they cannot treat it while he is in the hospital. It all comes down to what insurance will and will not pay. And now you know as much as I do.
We would appreciate prayers, first of all for healing so that Raymond doesn’t have to endure all of this, and secondly that his housing and treatment will be sorted out by social services from the hospital.
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