A medical question. Chemotherapy
Discussion
And the effects. Back in may and after many months of medical examination,my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As some may know. Along with lung cancer there is no cure. But managing and prolonging life can be achieved through Chemo.
A course was layed out where my father was to recieve 14 weeks of chemo. With each session lasting 35 minutes. I knew it would be hard on him. But didnt expect it to be this bad. The first seven he sailed through. But he has now finished his 10th course and he his a shadow of his former self. To all intents and purposes. He is a broken man.He his very emotional. Something my father never was. He was always a strong charachter. The sort of person that you went to for help and advice. Not the way it is now. Where it is me and my mother trying to give him the strenth and courage to fight on.
Recently he has been complaining of short term memory loss. And is more unsteady on his feet.
What i would like to know is. Could theses be the affects of the chemo??. I know to an extent it is a poison. But other than effects lined out from the staff at the hospital.Me and my father are unsure of the deeper affects. Can it cause short term memory loss??
Its now got to the stage that he doesnt want to carry on with the renaining four sessions due to what he believes are the effects its having on his nervous system.
Any thoughts and comments would be most appreciated.
A course was layed out where my father was to recieve 14 weeks of chemo. With each session lasting 35 minutes. I knew it would be hard on him. But didnt expect it to be this bad. The first seven he sailed through. But he has now finished his 10th course and he his a shadow of his former self. To all intents and purposes. He is a broken man.He his very emotional. Something my father never was. He was always a strong charachter. The sort of person that you went to for help and advice. Not the way it is now. Where it is me and my mother trying to give him the strenth and courage to fight on.
Recently he has been complaining of short term memory loss. And is more unsteady on his feet.
What i would like to know is. Could theses be the affects of the chemo??. I know to an extent it is a poison. But other than effects lined out from the staff at the hospital.Me and my father are unsure of the deeper affects. Can it cause short term memory loss??
Its now got to the stage that he doesnt want to carry on with the renaining four sessions due to what he believes are the effects its having on his nervous system.
Any thoughts and comments would be most appreciated.
Sorry I can only offer this link for a bit of practical information on the effects of the drugs... might help put minds at rest? This page has links to information about the side effects of individual cancer drugs and chemotherapy combinations
I'm sure someone more helpful will be along in a bit.
I'm sure someone more helpful will be along in a bit.
As a cancer nurse once said to me, "This hospital offers the best cancer therapies in the country, but even they have terrible side effects." (Or words to that effect.)
Chemo can seriously f
k you up. I've been told you can feel like you've got a really, really bad hangover mixed with serious flu (not manflu).
When people talk about enjoying life and not being worried about death, I just facepalm because they forget that you don't just die, game over, start at level 1 again. The death process can be painful emotionally and physically, and can also be upsetting to those who love you and care about you.
All the best to you and your dad.
Edit: almost forgot... http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx?gclid=CKrH3O...
Chemo can seriously f
k you up. I've been told you can feel like you've got a really, really bad hangover mixed with serious flu (not manflu).When people talk about enjoying life and not being worried about death, I just facepalm because they forget that you don't just die, game over, start at level 1 again. The death process can be painful emotionally and physically, and can also be upsetting to those who love you and care about you.
All the best to you and your dad.
Edit: almost forgot... http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx?gclid=CKrH3O...
Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 14th October 20:02
So it is about making the most of the time he has and enjoying himself, I guess. Has he considered visiting his local cancer centre? Many of them offer various complementary therapies which can help to put patients in a lighter mood. I volunteer at one and the patients always leave looking happier.
ShadownINja said:
So it is about making the most of the time he has and enjoying himself, I guess. Has he considered visiting his local cancer centre? Many of them offer various complementary therapies which can help to put patients in a lighter mood. I volunteer at one and the patients always leave looking happier.
The macmillan nurse has suggested things along the same lines. But my mum has put the block on it.Fearing that a visit there.he wont return.Today he is feeling a lot better and has decided that he no longer wants to continue with the Chemo.His fear and mine. That the stress and anxiety from the chemo would kill him before the cancer did.
Just an up-date on this old thread. We finally lost my dad with his battle against pancreatic cancer on thursday morning. He died peacefully in St Christophers Hospice. Somewhere,where he didnt want to go from the start. But towards the end he accepted with open arms.
One good thing was during his fourteen month battle he didnt suffer any pain. And me and my family cant thank the hospice staff enough for there help and devotion to my father in his final days.
Reg Burley 10-1-1929 - 24-6-2010.
R.I.P pops...x
One good thing was during his fourteen month battle he didnt suffer any pain. And me and my family cant thank the hospice staff enough for there help and devotion to my father in his final days.
Reg Burley 10-1-1929 - 24-6-2010.
R.I.P pops...x
big hugs Mark, sorry to hear about your dad...RIP 
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