Are these still long term effects of chemo?? Paleness, swollen?

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Daddyslittlegirl
Daddyslittlegirl Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Rare and Other Cancers #1
My 88 yr old father was diagnosed with Bile Duct cancer in August of last year. He has undergone chemo Gazmar (?) and 36 consecutive days of radiation. His last radiation treatment was in January. Thankfully here he is still today fighting. He broke out in a horrible skin rash all over his body that has him scratching uncontrollably. I've taken him to 2 different dermatologist and each say it's a case of Eczema. He has received 2 cortizone shots and is no better than before. Today I noticed that his hands and his forearms are very pale and a bit swollen. His dr won't be able to see him until next week and he begs me not to take him to the ER. I just don't know what to do?! Has anyone come across this and what could it possibly be? I did a few searches online and ran into kidney failure which scares the heck out of me. He says he isnt in any pain though??

I would appreciate any feedback on possible similar situations.

Thank you!

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  • Oneshot
    Oneshot Member Posts: 153 Member
    #2
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    Scratching uncontrollably
    Dear D.L.G.,

    I had the same thing happen to me in 2008. I started out itching like a mad man for several days. To the point I had to put socks on my hands. Then overnight I turned yellow, with jaundice.
    If he will not go to the ER. Call his oncologist A.S.A.P. and tell them. While battling my cancer, my bile duct was blocked and they had to put a stint in. (if my memory serves me right!) Sorry I'm a little sketchy on the details. My life was in a tail spin at that point and time.

    Will keep you and your family in my prayers!

    Oneshot
  • Daddyslittlegirl
    Daddyslittlegirl Member Posts: 11
    #3
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    Oneshot said:

    Scratching uncontrollably
    Dear D.L.G.,

    I had the same thing happen to me in 2008. I started out itching like a mad man for several days. To the point I had to put socks on my hands. Then overnight I turned yellow, with jaundice.
    If he will not go to the ER. Call his oncologist A.S.A.P. and tell them. While battling my cancer, my bile duct was blocked and they had to put a stint in. (if my memory serves me right!) Sorry I'm a little sketchy on the details. My life was in a tail spin at that point and time.

    Will keep you and your family in my prayers!

    Oneshot

    Oneshot,
    My dad has a
    Oneshot,

    My dad has a 'permanent stent' placed in. He doesn't look yellow but his hands and forearms look very white (pale). I was able to get him in to this Oncologist today and he took some blood work. He didn't seem too concerned and said to keep getting the cortizone shots done every 2 weeks. I hope we get the blood results back tomorrow to rule out anything wrong with his liver/kidneys.

    I sometimes feel as though the drs see my dad as being 88 and not even putting the effort into avoiding any additional complications. I know that's not the case with all doctors but most. I had a dr once tell me to just let my dad live out his time at peace! I told the dr that it was my father who wanted to fight for his life and noone has the right to give up on him if he still wants to fight this thing.

    Its been such a long hard fight but I'm sure you know.

    PS..I hope that you are doing good.

    Thank you for your prayers...very much needed!

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