Mesothelioma

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie Girl
Just wanted
Hi Cookie Girl

Just wanted to give you an update.

Tomorrow Dad starts with his 1st Radiation treatment. They are giving him the highest level of radiation a person can get. He has to have 25 treatments. They said that they will evaluate him everyday to see how he is doing. They said if it gets to be to much for him they would stop but really would like him to have all treatments. One day at a time! He is still very strong!

Please keep him in your prayers.

How are you feeling? I pray for you as well and always remember your kind words of encouragement to me at this difficult time.

Thank You again for listening.

Hi Onemore
How are you
Hi Onemore

How are you doing? how is your dad doing with radiation, and the length of time it takes?

I found it a little frustrating that everyone going in for radiation was out within about 10 to 15 minutes and mine was about 30 minutes long for each but got used to it. At first I was ok but started to get tired about a week later. I was suppose to have 25 treatments as well but missed my last two treatments.

Tell him the cream that they are going to give him or ask for it to use it this way he won't get too burned. Also, when he starts to have trouble swallowing to tell his nurse. Any side effects he gets to inform his nurse right away as these nurses are wonderful. They really take care of you, it is amazing, I know they were amazing for me.

I am doing pretty good, just have to be careful of any colds around me as it just knocks me right out. Still can't run and do too much but I am getting better.

Remember to take care of yourself as well as being there for him that will make him feel good.

onemore

cookie_girl said:

Hi Onemore
How are you
Hi Onemore

How are you doing? how is your dad doing with radiation, and the length of time it takes?

I found it a little frustrating that everyone going in for radiation was out within about 10 to 15 minutes and mine was about 30 minutes long for each but got used to it. At first I was ok but started to get tired about a week later. I was suppose to have 25 treatments as well but missed my last two treatments.

Tell him the cream that they are going to give him or ask for it to use it this way he won't get too burned. Also, when he starts to have trouble swallowing to tell his nurse. Any side effects he gets to inform his nurse right away as these nurses are wonderful. They really take care of you, it is amazing, I know they were amazing for me.

I am doing pretty good, just have to be careful of any colds around me as it just knocks me right out. Still can't run and do too much but I am getting better.

Remember to take care of yourself as well as being there for him that will make him feel good.

Hi Cookie Girl
It was so
Hi Cookie Girl

It was so nice to hear from you!

Dad is not doing to great. Today was his 6th radiation treatment. He is having alot of trouble breathing and a sharp pain. He gets winded very fast. He can not do anything that he used to be able to do. We don't know if this is because of the treatments or the cancer itself.

He had his 1st check up with the radiation doctor yesterday to see how he was feeling. They told him to take it one day at time and that the kind of cancer that he has is deadly. The type he has is Peritoneal Mesothelioma. I think when the doctor performed surgery she sampled some of the tissue and tested that. He did have a pet and kat scan about 2 weeks ago and it did not travel anywhere else but is in a large area of the left side of the lung.

The treatment takes about 25 minutes.

They also gave him a pneumonia shot before he started radiation treatments.

It is so nice to speak with you as you know what we are going through at this difficult time.

So glad to hear that you are doing well!

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie Girl
It was so
Hi Cookie Girl

It was so nice to hear from you!

Dad is not doing to great. Today was his 6th radiation treatment. He is having alot of trouble breathing and a sharp pain. He gets winded very fast. He can not do anything that he used to be able to do. We don't know if this is because of the treatments or the cancer itself.

He had his 1st check up with the radiation doctor yesterday to see how he was feeling. They told him to take it one day at time and that the kind of cancer that he has is deadly. The type he has is Peritoneal Mesothelioma. I think when the doctor performed surgery she sampled some of the tissue and tested that. He did have a pet and kat scan about 2 weeks ago and it did not travel anywhere else but is in a large area of the left side of the lung.

The treatment takes about 25 minutes.

They also gave him a pneumonia shot before he started radiation treatments.

It is so nice to speak with you as you know what we are going through at this difficult time.

So glad to hear that you are doing well!

hi Onemore
They are correct,
hi Onemore

They are correct, he has to take one day at a time and the hardest part is thinking positive when the treatments gets you down but he must think positive.

I found that the radiation treatment did more to me then the chemo, it got me really tired, winded, and my esophagus shrinks, so had to be really careful with swallowing anything. I have learned to eat my food differently but have adjusted to it. I am hoping that he will be able to get as many treatments as possible to slow it down. It is a very deadly cancer as my surgeon also mentioned and not many people knows about this cancer.

That is really good that they gave him the pneumonia shot as it will help, what about B12 shots? I was getting those shots every 9 weeks and I could tell it helped me a little bit.

Tell him to rest when his mind or body tells him as he needs it. I tried to stay awake to visit but ended up getting into trouble and ended up in the hospital a few times. If his body or mind needs rest take it. Visitors will understand

Try to keep up the positive thinking and don't forget to smile

Take care

onemore

cookie_girl said:

hi Onemore
They are correct,
hi Onemore

They are correct, he has to take one day at a time and the hardest part is thinking positive when the treatments gets you down but he must think positive.

I found that the radiation treatment did more to me then the chemo, it got me really tired, winded, and my esophagus shrinks, so had to be really careful with swallowing anything. I have learned to eat my food differently but have adjusted to it. I am hoping that he will be able to get as many treatments as possible to slow it down. It is a very deadly cancer as my surgeon also mentioned and not many people knows about this cancer.

That is really good that they gave him the pneumonia shot as it will help, what about B12 shots? I was getting those shots every 9 weeks and I could tell it helped me a little bit.

Tell him to rest when his mind or body tells him as he needs it. I tried to stay awake to visit but ended up getting into trouble and ended up in the hospital a few times. If his body or mind needs rest take it. Visitors will understand

Try to keep up the positive thinking and don't forget to smile

Take care

Hi Cookie
I will ask him
Hi Cookie

I will ask him about the B-12. If I recall he had one about 2-3 months ago.


We are all trying to stay strong and positive.

Thanks again for communicating with me as it really helps me mentally.

Talk to you soon.

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie
I will ask him
Hi Cookie

I will ask him about the B-12. If I recall he had one about 2-3 months ago.


We are all trying to stay strong and positive.

Thanks again for communicating with me as it really helps me mentally.

Talk to you soon.

Anytime, I will check every
Anytime, I will check every couple of days

Take care

onemore

cookie_girl said:

Anytime, I will check every
Anytime, I will check every couple of days

Take care

Hi Cookie
Thank you so much!
Hi Cookie

Thank you so much! You are very sweet!

Today I took my dad for his treatment. He is having a very hard time breathing - very winded. It is so painful to see him this way. Do you think that it is the radiation doing this to him? He is coughing alot and it is painful as well. He is taking tylenol for the pain. He is eating but it is alittle less. One day at a time. It is so hard to see him this way.

I do not know if I mentioned this before but he did have a B-12 shot before he started chemo.

Talk to you soon.

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie
Thank you so much!
Hi Cookie

Thank you so much! You are very sweet!

Today I took my dad for his treatment. He is having a very hard time breathing - very winded. It is so painful to see him this way. Do you think that it is the radiation doing this to him? He is coughing alot and it is painful as well. He is taking tylenol for the pain. He is eating but it is alittle less. One day at a time. It is so hard to see him this way.

I do not know if I mentioned this before but he did have a B-12 shot before he started chemo.

Talk to you soon.

Hi Onemore
How is your dad
Hi Onemore

How is your dad doing and how about you? I have caught a cold so I am a little bit under the weather and get very winded, and tired easily but getting better. Thinking positive helps!

It is probably due to the radiation that he may be winded as well as the coughing. When you cough a lot the side of the chest tends to get really sore, so my doc gave me tylenol 3 to take and I was actually shocked that it did help the pain but I had to learn to take it when the pain was not to the point that it would take forever to work. After over a year I am still taking tylenol 3's when I need it.

As well my radiation oncologist warned me that the radiation might make me very winded and may end up being on oxygen for a while or forever, depending on how the treatment would react to my body. She was very open on giving me all the information couple of weeks before I started my treatment. she was so good and honest with all the information, there was a lot of reaction that could happen, and boy I had most of them.

Make sure he tells his nurse and doc any side effect that he may start having as they will give him meds to help out. I know he is probably sick of meds but it does help. I had a lot of medication to take as my stomach is very sensitive and i get nausea and vomit very easily, I sure don't miss hugging the toilet or pail anymore, LOL

Take care

cookie_girl

cookie_girl said:

Hi Onemore
How is your dad
Hi Onemore

How is your dad doing and how about you? I have caught a cold so I am a little bit under the weather and get very winded, and tired easily but getting better. Thinking positive helps!

It is probably due to the radiation that he may be winded as well as the coughing. When you cough a lot the side of the chest tends to get really sore, so my doc gave me tylenol 3 to take and I was actually shocked that it did help the pain but I had to learn to take it when the pain was not to the point that it would take forever to work. After over a year I am still taking tylenol 3's when I need it.

As well my radiation oncologist warned me that the radiation might make me very winded and may end up being on oxygen for a while or forever, depending on how the treatment would react to my body. She was very open on giving me all the information couple of weeks before I started my treatment. she was so good and honest with all the information, there was a lot of reaction that could happen, and boy I had most of them.

Make sure he tells his nurse and doc any side effect that he may start having as they will give him meds to help out. I know he is probably sick of meds but it does help. I had a lot of medication to take as my stomach is very sensitive and i get nausea and vomit very easily, I sure don't miss hugging the toilet or pail anymore, LOL

Take care

Hi Onemore
Have not heard from you for a while and a little worried on how your dad is doing. I hope he is doing well with radiation and hoping that you are handling everything well, let me know how you are both doing?

onemore

cookie_girl said:

Hi Onemore
Have not heard from you for a while and a little worried on how your dad is doing. I hope he is doing well with radiation and hoping that you are handling everything well, let me know how you are both doing?

Hi Cookie
My dad is doing
Hi Cookie

My dad is doing ok. He is very tired and winded. He has 7 more radiation treatments left. He did loose some weight. He is eating but in smaller portions. I am hanging in there as well. I believe about 1 or 2 months after radiation is over he will go for a kat scan to see how things look. We are all hoping and praying that the radiation is keeping it at bay.

How are you feeling?

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie
My dad is doing
Hi Cookie

My dad is doing ok. He is very tired and winded. He has 7 more radiation treatments left. He did loose some weight. He is eating but in smaller portions. I am hanging in there as well. I believe about 1 or 2 months after radiation is over he will go for a kat scan to see how things look. We are all hoping and praying that the radiation is keeping it at bay.

How are you feeling?

Hi Onemore
It is good to hear from you. That is great that your dad is doing pretty good, only 7 more treatments and its done. He won't miss having to go to his treatments everyday that is for sure. I am hoping that it gets better for both of you. I will keep you both in my prayers and thoughts.

I caught a cold which exhaust me, they put me on antibiotics just in case. Other then that I think I am feeling better.

Take care

onemore

cookie_girl said:

Hi Onemore
It is good to hear from you. That is great that your dad is doing pretty good, only 7 more treatments and its done. He won't miss having to go to his treatments everyday that is for sure. I am hoping that it gets better for both of you. I will keep you both in my prayers and thoughts.

I caught a cold which exhaust me, they put me on antibiotics just in case. Other then that I think I am feeling better.

Take care

Hi Cookie
Thank you so
Hi Cookie

Thank you so much!! We need all the prayers we can get.

One thing I did not mention is that his stomach is hurting him alot. He is taking all of his meds. Guess it is the radiation burning him inside. On Monday he will see the doctor before his treatment and I will make sure we mention it to him.

Did this happen to you?

Onemore

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie
Thank you so
Hi Cookie

Thank you so much!! We need all the prayers we can get.

One thing I did not mention is that his stomach is hurting him alot. He is taking all of his meds. Guess it is the radiation burning him inside. On Monday he will see the doctor before his treatment and I will make sure we mention it to him.

Did this happen to you?

Onemore

hi Onemore
If I remember I don't think I had major stomach pains, but do remember that my stomach did not feel good most of the time due to being very nauseated due to the radiation and the medication that was trying to help my nausea. I was so dehydrated and the nausea was so bad that I was admitted in hospital a few times.

Even after my radiation was done about 2 or 3 weeks after, was extremely dehydrated and on top of it because I was on so many nausea pills specifically this one type which I can't remember what it was called, the side effect would make me have this feeling of not being able to stay still at all. One minute I would be sitting and the next minute had to get up and that would go on all day. It was unbearable, could barely sleep or do anything. Called my oncologist and she admitted me to hospital for almost a month to get all the nausea medication out of my system as I was on them from September to February, especially this one type of medication. It worked and have not had to side effect again.

I hope everything will be ok, good luck today!

onemore

cookie_girl said:

hi Onemore
If I remember I don't think I had major stomach pains, but do remember that my stomach did not feel good most of the time due to being very nauseated due to the radiation and the medication that was trying to help my nausea. I was so dehydrated and the nausea was so bad that I was admitted in hospital a few times.

Even after my radiation was done about 2 or 3 weeks after, was extremely dehydrated and on top of it because I was on so many nausea pills specifically this one type which I can't remember what it was called, the side effect would make me have this feeling of not being able to stay still at all. One minute I would be sitting and the next minute had to get up and that would go on all day. It was unbearable, could barely sleep or do anything. Called my oncologist and she admitted me to hospital for almost a month to get all the nausea medication out of my system as I was on them from September to February, especially this one type of medication. It worked and have not had to side effect again.

I hope everything will be ok, good luck today!

Hi Cookie
Thanks!
Today we
Hi Cookie

Thanks!

Today we met with the oncologist and he said that everything that he is feeling is normal - all side effects from the radiation. He said that if his fever goes over 100.5 they want to know. When we where there today it was 99.

He was not taking the nausea med. on a regular basis. I believe it is compazine. Was this the med. you where on? He is going to start taking it now. He has 6 more treatments left. He is exhausted and can't wait for his treatments to end.

I will tell him to keep drinking so he does not get dehydrated.

I don't know if this is to personal but where do you think you where exposed to the asbestos?

My dad was exposed in the war and worked all his life with brakes, cluthes, etc.

Talk to you soon.

Regards

One

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie
Thanks!
Today we
Hi Cookie

Thanks!

Today we met with the oncologist and he said that everything that he is feeling is normal - all side effects from the radiation. He said that if his fever goes over 100.5 they want to know. When we where there today it was 99.

He was not taking the nausea med. on a regular basis. I believe it is compazine. Was this the med. you where on? He is going to start taking it now. He has 6 more treatments left. He is exhausted and can't wait for his treatments to end.

I will tell him to keep drinking so he does not get dehydrated.

I don't know if this is to personal but where do you think you where exposed to the asbestos?

My dad was exposed in the war and worked all his life with brakes, cluthes, etc.

Talk to you soon.

Regards

One

Hi Onemore
That is so good to hear that it is only the radiation, nothing else. That is great news. I can't remember what meds they were it wasn't compazine, but I was taking 3 or 4 different ones as my stomach gets upset very easily. Only 6 treatments left and all done, he will be so relieved when it is done.

We don't know where I was exposed to it, as I am now 48 years old and usually takes 20 to 40 years for it to appear in the body. The only thing we can think of is where I grew up when I was little, maybe the schools or just an area, don't know at all.

Take it easy and only 6 more to go

onemore

cookie_girl said:

Hi Onemore
That is so good to hear that it is only the radiation, nothing else. That is great news. I can't remember what meds they were it wasn't compazine, but I was taking 3 or 4 different ones as my stomach gets upset very easily. Only 6 treatments left and all done, he will be so relieved when it is done.

We don't know where I was exposed to it, as I am now 48 years old and usually takes 20 to 40 years for it to appear in the body. The only thing we can think of is where I grew up when I was little, maybe the schools or just an area, don't know at all.

Take it easy and only 6 more to go

Hi Cookie
4 more to go!!!
Hi Cookie

4 more to go!!!

One

Forevermore

onemore said:

Hi There
I am just curious -
Hi There

I am just curious - which Mesothelioma did your husband have? Epithelioid or Sarcomatoid?

My Dad was just diagnosed with Epithelioid Mesothelioma and they want to remove the whole left lung, lining of the lung and part of the diaphram.

This is all new to me.

Regards

Mesothelioma

My brother has Epithelioid Mesothelioma and is scheduled for surgery on the 4th of Nov.
They are removing his right lung the lining of lung, an area around the heart and part of the diaphram. They will replace the diaphram with synthetics.
If they are suggesting surgery for your dad they must think he has a good chance. Only 15% of patients that have Meso are able to have the surgery that will prolong their life.
If not, I suppose you know the odds on the other treatments.
Is your dad fairly young, healthy, active and without other health problems ?
If not, I have seen the odds on the surgery fatalities with patients that aren't good candidates.....Where is you dad being treated ? How long has he had symtoms ?
Get back to me....

onemore

Forevermore said:

Mesothelioma

My brother has Epithelioid Mesothelioma and is scheduled for surgery on the 4th of Nov.
They are removing his right lung the lining of lung, an area around the heart and part of the diaphram. They will replace the diaphram with synthetics.
If they are suggesting surgery for your dad they must think he has a good chance. Only 15% of patients that have Meso are able to have the surgery that will prolong their life.
If not, I suppose you know the odds on the other treatments.
Is your dad fairly young, healthy, active and without other health problems ?
If not, I have seen the odds on the surgery fatalities with patients that aren't good candidates.....Where is you dad being treated ? How long has he had symtoms ?
Get back to me....

Hi Forevermore
Was your post
Hi Forevermore

Was your post for me (onemore)?

I wasn't sure.

Regards,

Onemore

Forevermore

Forevermore said:

Mesothelioma

My brother has Epithelioid Mesothelioma and is scheduled for surgery on the 4th of Nov.
They are removing his right lung the lining of lung, an area around the heart and part of the diaphram. They will replace the diaphram with synthetics.
If they are suggesting surgery for your dad they must think he has a good chance. Only 15% of patients that have Meso are able to have the surgery that will prolong their life.
If not, I suppose you know the odds on the other treatments.
Is your dad fairly young, healthy, active and without other health problems ?
If not, I have seen the odds on the surgery fatalities with patients that aren't good candidates.....Where is you dad being treated ? How long has he had symtoms ?
Get back to me....

onemore

Yes,the post of 10/25 was for you, I was just wondering how similar your dad's case is to my brothers....

Was your dad "talced" it can cement to your ribs too. we are afraid that they will get in there and only get some of the cancer.
Thanks

onemore

Forevermore said:

onemore

Yes,the post of 10/25 was for you, I was just wondering how similar your dad's case is to my brothers....

Was your dad "talced" it can cement to your ribs too. we are afraid that they will get in there and only get some of the cancer.
Thanks

Hi Forevermore
Yes my dad's
Hi Forevermore

Yes my dad's cancer (tumor) is plastered to his ribs and intertwined. Surgeon did not expect it to be as bad as it was. She told us she was disappointed. My family is devastated.

I saddens me so much that they where not able to remove his lung. All he wants is his health back!

He did finish all 25 radiation treatments. He is not feeling well at all right now and we are hoping that it is the side effects from the treatments. He is coughing alot, freezing, has a lot nausea feeling in his stomach, his esophagus is hurting and extremely tired.

It is so sad to see him like this.

How old is your brother? My dad is 65. He was exposed to asbestos through his early years in the navy and his line of work.

The end of November my dad will go for a Kat scan to see if the radiation has slowed the growth down. At this point he and all of us need some good news.

I will pray for your brother that all goes well with the surgery and please update me.

Regards,

Onemore

cookie_girl

onemore said:

Hi Cookie
4 more to go!!!
Hi Cookie

4 more to go!!!

One

Hi Onemore
I was wondering how is your dad doing, now that he is done with radiation