More Radiation Recommended

Hello,

As most of you know my dad went in for a 2nd surgery to remove the regrowth of his GBM tumor. He is recovering but things are definitely slower than the first time. He is not a very happy person at the moment and he can't communicate which is frustrating for him.

Anyhow, the doctors are recommending that my dad do radiation again. I just spoke to the radiation oncologist and he said because my dad had a 2nd surgery, he feels he was given a second chance and that he CAN do more radiation, not as potent as the first round, and not as long...but he thinks it will help my dad get some more months out of this disease. He then proceeded to say it may or may not work, nobody knows for sure...there are some risks...but he really recommends that we do it. He says it's better than doing nothing. I know my dad will do the radiation, it's the chemo he doesn't like to do. We meet w/the chemo doc on Tuesday and we'll find out what they are suggesting. I know they like to do these together. I have a gut feeling my dad will say no to the chemo, so I wanted to ask the radiation doctor if only doing 1 is worth it. He said yes!

I just want to make sure my dad gets the quality life that he longs for. Right now his state of mind is not good...not quality for him. And I want to make sure we help him make the right decision. I have thoughts of telling my dad that maybe he should just be done w/all these treatments and let it take it's course, but now today..after talking to the rad doctor..my thoughts are give a try and see if it helps? "I don't Know?"...seems to be the phrase we use often since dealing with the re-growth.

Cancer SUCKS!!! I know everyone agrees with me on that.

It's interesting how the same disease is treated so differently all over the world.

Thanks,

Jill

Well I learned something new today. I am 11 mos into a GBMIV Dx. Had craniotomy June 2007 and a 2nd one Nov 2007. Surently on Avastin. Made it thru radiation last summer but the temodar kicked my butt and I havd to stop it.

 

I had no clue one could do radiation for more than the initial 6 weeks. Live and learn.

 

I hope your Dad can tolerate the 2nd round of rads OK. I remember how it knocked me out. Now the Avastin is doing a number on me. But I am still kicking dirt in its face.

Hey,

My father just had his first recurrance since his operation in July last week.
We were told that more radiation would do more damage than good.
Perhaps because of the location of the tumor? Im not sure.
Just thought I would let you know that the docs here have refused radiation as an option this time for my father.

Perhaps look into it a bit more, or get a second opinion. I know how much my father hated having radiation before.... and I know how much it wore him out.

Best of luck to you,
-Kara

We were told that my husband could only have one cycle of radiation. And then they had to do chemo. Our doctors have told us more than once that my husbands quality of life is the most important thing. My husband also told me that when "it was time to pull the plug" or stop everything he would let us know. I guess what I am saying is that it should be your Dad's decission. As hard as it might be for you.

I just hope that I don't have to deal with this for a long time.

Eulah

Thanks for the messages. My dad tolerated the first round of radiation with no problems, exept for an occassional nap. In Feb. when we started w/the reoccurance, the radiation doctor said that it was too soon to do more radiation from the first cycele..he finished in September. However, now that he had more surgery...he said he can do about 10 or 15 more treatments. Not as potent as the first time, but definitely worth it. The risks outweight the benefit. We were also told that it may or may not work...but we are hopeful it will slow the process down of the regrowth.

I'm not sure why my Dad is a candidate and so many other doctors are not. I don't feel we need a 2nd opinion because we absolutley trust this doctor. The radiation oncologist has been our best doctor thru this entire process (except for the wonderful surgeon who has now successfully removed 2 tumors with ease). They did not get all visible tumor this 2nd time around, but enough to try and give my dad some more quality months.

For some reason, my dad loves to take the radiation...so he has no problems with this decision. He WANTS to do it. It's the chemo they recommend taking along with it. He declined the first time and is declining again.

The Radiation Onc said doing these treatments is definitely better than doing nothing. He feels my dad is very strong and can handle this. I know my dad's first tumor was small in size, it's located in the left temporal lobe...maybe because they didn't do full brain radiation he is able to tolerate more.

Time will tell. He goes for the simulation on Friday and we'll know how many treatments he'll be getting after that.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks,

Jill