UGH!!! I think the radiation is finally hitting

MCKMNL
MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
my dad. It makes me so sad to see him so weak, and tired, and pissy crotchety, man is he crotchety. He said the last 2 days have been hard on him, I've stayed away do to running a fever, and body ache ( felt ok enough to go see him tonight for a bit ).. He is having radiation done on his back, and hip. He said he feels so tired, I know he has thrown up a couple times, but the thing is he came down with a bout of bronchitis about 3 days into his radiation ( which he got treatment for ), but he is now saying it feels like his lungs are filling up, and it gets hard for him to breathe. he said if he gets up and walks around he can breath fine, but if he falls asleep or takes a nap he gets up stuggling to beathe. He does breathing treatments, so we are hoping to get him through the weekend, then get him to the doc on monday. we just are not sure which doc to get him to. His radiologist, or regular physician..I told him to call if he thought he needed to go to the ER before then. Plus i should add, they removed a good size tumor from his spine,and alot of his muscles in the general chest/ lower stomach area may have permanent nerve damage, only time will tell if they wake up for him. It has only been 5 weeks since his surgey, so he really is going through alot at once. God it felt good to get this off my chest.. an i just say... My name is Missy, and CANCER has tsught me to LIVE IN THE MOMENT!!!!!!

Missy

Comments

  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40
    DrMary said:

    Possible blood clots
    I'd urge him to go to the ER right away to check for blood clots in his lungs. This is not an unusual side effect to cancer treatment. If possible, he should go where he gets his radiation done, so if they have to admit him, he can still get radiation done.

    Clots are easily treated - they'll start the drugs and then just watch him, but they can be serious if not treated. To check, they'd do a quick scan of his chest.

    It's an easy thing to rule out - unless his insurance doesn't pay for ER visits, urge him to go; if they don't, urge him to call his radiologist or regular doctor - whoever is more reachable - and describe his symptoms, as they would likely admit him to be safe.

    We waited and we were lucky - no lasting damage. Afterwards, we did the head smack - we'd even been warned about those exact symptoms and ignored them for a week.

    Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    MCKMNL said:

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..

    Many causes for blood clots
    They mostly blame it on chemo, but surgery and inactivity are prime causes also. They didn't worry about my husband's symptoms at first, as it was not within the right time frame to have been caused by chemo - I suspect it was more the inactivity, as he was really decked for a while and had been a serious jock before.

    However, my understanding is that a healing wound site (especially ones that involve bones) can nucleate a clot months afterward. Either way, it's easy to check - he should be recovering from the bronchitis by now, so they should either be looking for clots or a relapse of the infection - neither one should go untreated.

    Keep us posted and hang in there.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    MCKMNL said:

    OMG, why did I not think abouth this
    when we took him to the ER for the bout of bronchitus, that scan for blood clots/ blood work had been done on him there, as he was like 3 wks post op from his back surgery. I am going to call my parents right now see how he is doing. I cannot believe i did not think of this, i had no idea radiation could DO THAT, cause blood clots. TY Dr Mary so much..

    Welcome
    Hello Mckmnl
    Welcome to you your dad and your family to our caregivers discussion board. Sorry you and your dad are having a rough time. Sorry your last post posted so many times!! What in the world causes that to happen? :) smile! I was thinking also that he might be developing fluid in his lungs, either from the bronchitis or some other respitorty infection. This recently happened to my mom after bypass surgery. Hope this helps and finds your dad in better shape and spirits! Stay in touch.
    Tina in Va
  • MCKMNL
    MCKMNL Member Posts: 40

    Welcome
    Hello Mckmnl
    Welcome to you your dad and your family to our caregivers discussion board. Sorry you and your dad are having a rough time. Sorry your last post posted so many times!! What in the world causes that to happen? :) smile! I was thinking also that he might be developing fluid in his lungs, either from the bronchitis or some other respitorty infection. This recently happened to my mom after bypass surgery. Hope this helps and finds your dad in better shape and spirits! Stay in touch.
    Tina in Va

    I have no idea what happened
    or why it posted so many times, I was going to check and see if I could of deleted them all, just never got around to it.

    My dad is doing much better, he is going to see our reg doc tomorow,Dr K's nurse, my dads radiologist thinks it is his bronchitis hanging around, so we will see what doc R says on that. So far he is holding his own. I am in the process of researching good nutrition for him, his nurse told him to make sure he is getting alot of protien, which I have been pushing on him since he DX.

    Missy
  • skipper85
    skipper85 Member Posts: 229
    MCKMNL said:

    I have no idea what happened
    or why it posted so many times, I was going to check and see if I could of deleted them all, just never got around to it.

    My dad is doing much better, he is going to see our reg doc tomorow,Dr K's nurse, my dads radiologist thinks it is his bronchitis hanging around, so we will see what doc R says on that. So far he is holding his own. I am in the process of researching good nutrition for him, his nurse told him to make sure he is getting alot of protien, which I have been pushing on him since he DX.

    Missy

    A Suggestion

    Missy:

    My husband had emphysema and lung tumors. It helped him breathe better to be propped up with pillows in bed so he was almost sitting up.

    Let us know how your dad makes out.

    Skipper