Subject: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 08/30/2007
I posted last week that my fathers scans showed no growth or spreading. My father had an endoscopy last week in which they were able to open up his esophagus 15cm. At his appointment today, they are stopping Chemo, and trying radiation on the upper part of the esophagus, and stomach. We were told chemo and radiation cannot be done at the same time. They want to do radiation to help get the stomach "working" again. Does anyone have any experience with this AT ALL? I am sitting here at work, sobbing, and just dont know what to do anymore. He was diagnosed in March of this year. Please help me.
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 08/30/2007
On 8/30/2007 Kristennyc wrote: I posted last week that my fathers scans showed no growth or spreading. My father had an endoscopy last week in which they were able to open up his esophagus 15cm. At his appointment today, they are stopping Chemo, and trying radiation on the upper part of the esophagus, and stomach. We were told chemo and radiation cannot be done at the same time. They want to do radiation to help get the stomach "working" again. Does anyone have any experience with this AT ALL? I am sitting here at work, sobbing, and just dont know what to do anymore. He was diagnosed in March of this year. Please help me.
Hi, My name is Charlene and from your post i am not sure what type of cancer your father has (because I am new here) but I am here to help however I can. My husband John has colon cancer w/ mets to the liver. Have you done any research online for your Dads cancer? I use google and I have found ALL types of info on Johns options for treatment. Please use this tool. Also ask your Dr. Questions. Write them down so you won't forget. Ask him everything!!!! Do your research on possible treatments and tell the Drs. about everyone you've found. Make them explain why they won't do each one. Ask about clinical trials, drive them crazy until you get answers.. lol You have to be the aggresive one or the Drs. tend to just blow you off. Our first Dr. was amazed that I knew so much about Johns cancer and asked where I got it all. On the internet!!!! I know it is SOOOOO hard when this enters your life but you just have to pull yourself together and help him fight this. Actually with no growth or spreading that is a pretty good thing. At least he is somewhat stable. keep fighting until the last breath. Never give up!!! My mother died of cervical cancer so I do know what you're going through. I send you all my hopes and hugs ((((((())))). Keep in touch, Charlene
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 08/30/2007
You are an angel, thank you so much for responding. My father has Stomach Cancer. No mets to any organs, and no spreading. He just sounds so tired and weak. It bothers me, because he continues to gain weight, and looks terrific, but chemo did not shrink anything. :(
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 08/30/2007
Please don't despair! Call someone who can you talk to right now, even just to cry on their shoulder. You are not alone and you can get through this. Everyone is praying for you! You are lucky to have doctors who have a plan and share that plan with you. Just think of all the reports of 'we are waiting for them to decide what to do'. 3 years ago I had to stop chemo when I had radiation to my brain. Apparently, the chemo does not 'play well' with the radiation. I think it is easier on your body to deal with one thing at a time. I had 2 weeks of radiation and then started right back up again with my chemo treatmens. They are likely choosing this time as the chemo has been doing its job - the great news is that nothing is spreading and they've been able to open his esophagus - 15 cm is 6 inches! Just think how much more comfortable he will be with that added functionality! Focus on the positives - your docs are using all their tools to help your father feel better. Radiation can make him very tired, so he sleeps more. It can burn the skin so he uses special creams and gels. I know how scared and tired and hopeless you are feeling. give into it for a bit and then go back and talk to the drs and ask them any questions you have. Write them down first. Use a recorder to get their answers. Get in touch with the social worker at the hospital and get support there. Even if you are not religious, talk to a minister, priest, rabbi or that of a friend. You need the emotional support to get through this. I don't know where you are but most hospitals have support groups. And come back here - you are not alone! Carol
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 08/30/2007
I called my father's oncologist, because I was unable to go with them for the appointment today, and I usually go to all of them. I asked him what the next step was, he said radiation to make him more comfortable, so he can swallow more. He also dropped a bomb on me. I asked him how he thought my father was doing, and his answer was, "Your father is very, very sick, and getting worse, worse than he was three months ago".
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 09/04/2007
On 8/30/2007 Kristennyc wrote: I called my father's oncologist, because I was unable to go with them for the appointment today, and I usually go to all of them. I asked him what the next step was, he said radiation to make him more comfortable, so he can swallow more. He also dropped a bomb on me. I asked him how he thought my father was doing, and his answer was, "Your father is very, very sick, and getting worse, worse than he was three months ago".
I am so sorry about the bomb that was dropped on you! It is very hard to hear anything bad about someone you love so much. But sometimes the truth helps to get you through it too. My Father-In-Law has stage IV stomach cancer with METS to multiple organs, and we are thinking it has reached his brain, as he is starting to get a little confused at times. He has hospice coming in 1-2 x a week right now, and because they come, he does not see his oncologist anymore, and that makes it hard sometimes, because the hospice nurses are usually very vague with what is going on, while his doctor was more upfront and honest with us. I guess knowing the truth differs for everyone, for us, it helps prepare us, and doesn't leave us guessing. I have a medical background, so i know what questions to ask, and then translate it to my husband and his brothers, and they always felt better, there were no surprises for them. But now, I feel as if it is a guessing game every day! Again I am sorry, and while your dad seems to be doing well with his appetite and that, You know he is getting worse, so don't waste anytime, and fill every moment with as much love and laughter while you can. Good luch to you and your father...........I wish many happy and love filled days ahead for the two of you!
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 09/06/2007
Kristen, I can tell you that chemo and radiation can be done at the same time because I am being treated with both right now. I started in January with three rounds of chemo, then an Ivor-Lewis surgery (transhiatal gastrectomy) and now radiation and chemo. They plan on more chemo for me after the radiation/chemo combo is completed in a few weeks. My cancer was stage IV when I was diagnosed, with involvement of several lymph nodes. I am sure treatment varies depending on the extent of the cancer and ability of the patient to tolerate treatments. Tom On 8/30/2007 Kristennyc wrote: I posted last week that my fathers scans showed no growth or spreading. My father had an endoscopy last week in which they were able to open up his esophagus 15cm. At his appointment today, they are stopping Chemo, and trying radiation on the upper part of the esophagus, and stomach. We were told chemo and radiation cannot be done at the same time. They want to do radiation to help get the stomach "working" again. Does anyone have any experience with this AT ALL? I am sitting here at work, sobbing, and just dont know what to do anymore. He was diagnosed in March of this year. Please help me.
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 09/25/2007
My brother-in-law was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer and received his first chemo today, he also has a spot on the lung, we have not been told what stage or any other info, I recently received chemo and radiation for lymphoma, last July surgery for oral cancer and 17 years ago breast cancer, mastectomy and 6 mo's of chemo. My husband had a prostate cancer surgery about 4 years ago. Too much cancer and it is affecting so many people.
Subject: RE: Someone please respond, I have nobody left to turn to
Date: 09/27/2007
I am sorry to hear about your Dad. Cancer and the mixed information you get can be very frustrating. What I can tell you is that chemo and radiation can be given at the same time. My mom has stage 4 stomach cancer and was treated back in may/june with radiation 5 days a week for 45 days and also received chemo every third week for 5 days straight. She is 76 and was able to tolerate this very well. She recently had some test done and the tumor and cancer in her stomach has shrunk to nothing. If you are not getting the results you want from your dads current oncologist, you can alway seek a second opinion.
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