radiation current and long term effects?

smile2003
smile2003 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Rare and Other Cancers #1
My Dad is currently undergoing radiation to his pancreatic region of his abdomen. He was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma a month ago and did very well with the whipple sx. Now like I previously stated he had radiation 5 days a week for six weeks with chemo using a pump for 48 hrs at home. He is haveing alot of abdominal pain from the radiation, requireing him to take vicodin every 4 hours around the clock. My dad wouldn't even take a tylenol. How long can this last and how bad can it get. I feel helpless.

Comments

  • nancyj_pa
    nancyj_pa Member Posts: 20
    #2
    chemo/radiation
    My husband recently finished his chemo/radiation and had a lot of discomfort, mainly diarrhea constantly. They cut his treatment short after four weeks. The chemo oncologist said it was the radiation, and vice versa. He lost a lot more weight, and it took about a month for him to get back to normal. Now he is on once a week Gemzar (9 treatments). Nancy
  • Alysha23
    Alysha23 Member Posts: 11
    #3
    Hold strong
    My heart goes out to you and your family. I am 36 and was dx'ed with anal cancer this June and finished my chemo/rad treatments in August. They did the radiation over my whole pelvic area. I was some what like your father, I disliked taking too much of anything. My family (mainly my mother) kept pushing my pain meds. They made me sick too my stomach and woozy. I have a one year old and I didn't want to be doped up all day. The doctor's got on me and upped my pain med and gave me a pain patch. I still would not use them. I took the pain for as long as I could tolerate. Then ended up in the hospital and they controlled it for me. Lesson learned.
    Just know that its hard to deal with all of the emotions. The one thing I would advise you to do is too say strong infront of your father. When the tears start to come go off and let them out. Then come back and continue to be there for him.
    I had too be strong for me, my husband, and my family. I've always been the one that everyone leans on and they exspect me to still be that superwomen.
    No matter what he will or won't do. Just keep praying and be supportive. The last day of treatment will come.

    And this too shall pass.

    God Bless
  • smile2003
    smile2003 Member Posts: 5
    #4
    Alysha23 said:

    Hold strong
    My heart goes out to you and your family. I am 36 and was dx'ed with anal cancer this June and finished my chemo/rad treatments in August. They did the radiation over my whole pelvic area. I was some what like your father, I disliked taking too much of anything. My family (mainly my mother) kept pushing my pain meds. They made me sick too my stomach and woozy. I have a one year old and I didn't want to be doped up all day. The doctor's got on me and upped my pain med and gave me a pain patch. I still would not use them. I took the pain for as long as I could tolerate. Then ended up in the hospital and they controlled it for me. Lesson learned.
    Just know that its hard to deal with all of the emotions. The one thing I would advise you to do is too say strong infront of your father. When the tears start to come go off and let them out. Then come back and continue to be there for him.
    I had too be strong for me, my husband, and my family. I've always been the one that everyone leans on and they exspect me to still be that superwomen.
    No matter what he will or won't do. Just keep praying and be supportive. The last day of treatment will come.

    And this too shall pass.

    God Bless

    Thanks
    Thank You so much for the support and encouraging words. Sometimes I feel like strangers are the only ones I can let my guard down and cry. I also have always been the SUPERWOMEN for my mom, sister, husband and kids. With my life I don't have much time to biuld strong friendships. I know I have to be strong. My dad gave me that gift. I know he is strong. I always try to reassure him that it is ok also to show me emotion and that he is scared. I know he will get through this I just don't know what is lurking behind the next door. Last November he had just finished his last chemo from a dianosis of colon ca in 2007. All of this is so new to all of us. My mother, father, my sister, myself or my family has been very healthy with no life threatening medical problems. My grandparents also was diagnosed with a form of cancer but very late in their lives and within their last year ( ill from resp illness). I am haveing myself and my children tested for the cancerous gene and take preventive measures now. SORRY I ramble. thanks again and good luck to you and your family. Your child(son) is adorable.

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