Treatment side effects

My father has diffuse large B cell lymphoma which is located on the left side of the face and according to the doctors on involving the trismus and nodes IB and IIB.
After three cycles of chemotherapy with CEOP his disease condition was characterized as a stable disease. Since then the doctor suggested Radiation therapy.
We started with IMRT of which 10 sessions are over. During this period he has been feeling very weak and seems to have lost all interests in interacting with family and friends. his tongue is all swollen and so is there heavy inflamation of the interior of the mouth. Due this he says that he is unable to speak properly and interact. His food intake too is reduced and he gets very irritable when ever asked to have food which is mostly semisolid or liquid.
As a caregiver i am very worried about his condition and i feel very bad for him. i would like my friends here to let me know how to cope with such a situation.
thanks,
Regards

 

On 9/30/2009 somak wrote:

My father has diffuse large B cell lymphoma which is located on the left side of the face and according to the doctors on involving the trismus and nodes IB and IIB.
After three cycles of chemotherapy with CEOP his disease condition was characterized as a stable disease. Since then the doctor suggested Radiation therapy.
We started with IMRT of which 10 sessions are over. During this period he has been feeling very weak and seems to have lost all interests in interacting with family and friends. his tongue is all swollen and so is there heavy inflamation of the interior of the mouth. Due this he says that he is unable to speak properly and interact. His food intake too is reduced and he gets very irritable when ever asked to have food which is mostly semisolid or liquid.
As a caregiver i am very worried about his condition and i feel very bad for him. i would like my friends here to let me know how to cope with such a situation.
thanks,
Regards

My husband had diffuse large B cell non hodgkins lymphoma of the brain.  His challenges and treatments were different than your father's but he did had whole brain radiation for 33 cycles over 2 years ago.  It takes a long time to get over the fatigue and weakness.  Is he taking any kind of anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds?  These really helped my husband get through the emotional ups and downs during and after treatment.  He also had a mild pill to help with those nights he was unable to fall asleep.

Any time you have questions or concerns about your father's condition or reaction to treatment get a hold of his oncologist or primary care physician.  They might be able to help with these issues, but they cannot help if they are not aware of what is happening. 

It is possible his adrenal, pituitary, thyroid glands are not functioning as well as they should be due to treatment.  Also his testosterone levels might have been affected.  These are things which might be worth checking out.  We dealt with several of these issues after radiation treatments and with some meds his levels improved.

Being a caregiver is very difficult.  My heart goes out to you and your family.  Keep asking questions and stay strong.

husband DX 4/2006, in complete remission since 7/2007

 

 

Many thanks for your reply.... we are in the process of monitoring and conducting a complete review of his health.... his food intake now is low but then he seems to be having a number of traumatic ulcers in the mouth and heavy inflammation in the tonsils due to which swallowing is a problem...we have kept him on liquid diet... most importantly me and my mother have made peace with his outbursts and now are a little more patient than before in interacting and caring for him.... i was very happy to hear from you and would like to keep in touch....it feels great to have some one for support as you know the ordeal i look up to you as an inspiration in continuing my families fight against cancer... thank you again best wishes... Somak

sorry i forgot...he is not under any antidepressant medication....should i consult a psychiatrist and have him taken for counselling??

I really don't think it is necessary for him to see a psycharist at this time unless your doctor recommends it.   I am sure you and your family have seen enough doctors..........

My husband's primary care physician prescribed a mild anti-depressant.  He told us it was virtually impossible for a cancer patient not to be depressed.  How true that is!  It takes about 3-6 weeks for the full effects of the anti-depressant to work, but we noticed a big difference in a couple of weeks.  My husband was more calm, less fretful, and generally felt better emotionally. 

 His family doctor or oncologist can prescribe this.  I am really surprised it hasn't been discussed with you. 

Good luck and stay strong.  I will try to help you and your family with whatever I can.

I agree with caregiver. I take an antidepressant and anyone with a chronic illness should. I even had my husband start one as he was just so overwhelmed with the fact I had cancer.

Blessings,

Julie