Hello All,
I am really frustrated and at a loss for what needs to be done. Let me give you a brief summary an update on my dad. He was dx 12/2007 with Stage IV EC with mets to the lung. It was determined after 4 chemo treatments that the mass in the lung was NOT ec, but a residual mass containing air brochiograms. -Extremely wonderful news! He was upgraded to Stage III with no mets. Radiation was recommended and started 3/11. He has had 7 radiation treatments as of today.
This past Friday Daddy started with shortness of breath and chest pains. He knew the chest pains were from the tumor, not the heart. He was admitted Sunday because of these symptoms and is still in there now. A CT scan, EKG, echocardiogram, and several breathing tests were done. Rad. onc said its too early for radiation to the cause, pulmonary/respiratory said the breathing tests show no problems and they believe the amount of radiation should be cut down. They did detect a fibrilation in his heartrate. However, after being straped to a tilimetry (sp) device it was found that the irratic heartbeat did not appeared to be connected to any pain or other symptoms. The dr. increased his lopressor to control the heart rate. Daddy's reactions to treatments, meds, etc. has never been typical. He is more sick on days 5-6 of chemo than 2-3 although they insist we give him the emend on day 3 instead of when he really needs it on day 6, etc. I could go on and on...
Throughout all of this he had continued with nausea, vomiting, and dry heaves. He can not sleep for any length of time because nothing can go down the esophagus. He wakes up because he has to cough up mucus and saliva. Sometimes the secretions are very thick and its harder for him to cough them up. He coughs, which enduces vomiting that leads to dry heaves that causes him to be in pain all over. He has been given nausea and pain meds and meds to dry up and/or thin out secretions. These give minimal help.
I am frustrated because I see no end in sight. Until he is able to swallow, I don't see these problems getting any better at all. I am at a loss as to what to do. We were in hopes that he would at least be able to swallow water by now but he can't. The only option I can think of is a stent. But, can radiation be done on an area that contains a stent? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
At what point during radiation did symptoms begin for some of you? When did you get any relief? Daddy's tumor was originally 5 cms but was 4cm after 4 chemo treatments. According to the med. onc. this is a large tumor and I guess the larger it is the more time it takes.
I just want him to have one good day. He hasn't had a good day since he was dx in December. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!