Question about not digesting certain food & meds

ShootingStar
ShootingStar Member Posts: 15
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Just a brief description about my StepDad...Stave IV with mets to lungs, lymphnodes and brain. Received chemo (not sure of names) one day for about 7 hours then what I called "chemo to go" for 5 days ( a fanny pac with chemo). He was supposed to get this every 21 days, but after an MRI the DR was not happy with results and stopped the chemo. Day before he started Clinical Trial he started having droopy right eye and double vision with pain in his eye. MRI revealed mets to brain had spread, more tumors and the big one affecting his eye. So, he was dropped from Clinical Trial and started whole brain radiation, 10 treatments. Now he is back on a different chemo, 2 hours every 2 weeks.

Ok, so my question is that he is having a hard time digesting certain foods and his extended release Oxicontin, not the quick acting Oxicontin. He recently threw up food he had eaten a week prior. Mom said it smelled VERY sour. She found a total of 6 Oxicontins, the first ones he threw up were hard to tell but you could tell, then the next time he threw up there was an Oxi that had not digested at all???? How does that work? He throws up the less digested pill last? The foods he can't digest are corn, skin of bell peppers, and one time mushrooms. Yes he does not continue to eat those foods and I suggested to Mom to check into pain patches or liquid pain meds. She's asking the DR on Monday. His DR suggested an Upper GI scope, but he doesn't want to. He is angry but tries to keep positive. Mom got him a juicer and he has been drinking protein shakes to help keep up his strength.

It is so awful watching him suffer through all of this. He is wilting away. My heart breaks for my Mom. They both completed each other. I know to appreciate the times we had and continue to have. His brothers and sisters want to come visit, but they said it would be more convenient for them to meet at his sister's house in Georgia. He is in Missouri, very sick, very weak and they want him to drive to Georgia?? Am I wrong here or is that absolutely selfish? His youngest daughter (18 years old) shuddered when she saw him a couple of weeks ago saying "ewwww you don't have any hair!" I want to tell both his daughters how I feel about how they are treating him, but now is not the time.

I've turned it all over to God, but I am still so sad, heartbroken, angry and tired.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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  • sammy123
    sammy123 Member Posts: 65
    #3
    Dear "Shooting Star".
    Dear "Shooting Star". I'm so glad that you made that suggestion to your Mom about the patches. There are many new patches on the market that take the edge off of the pain and discomfort that can now allow some nutrition to get in. Being an nurse I can tell you that all that you are doing makes a great loving difference and your Dad (and Mom)can feel it in every way and sounds like they can also "count on you to be there as well'. Keep the Faith and keep hope alive and well. Be there for your Mom and continue to support her. You say your Dad is angry but keeps positive, that is a good thing. His feelings are tried and true and appropriate. Its okay to be down right angry and if you can't tell your family who can we tell, right? Suggest to family members that they make this as easy on Dad and Mom as possible and do the visiting. There is no place like home sweet home for your Dad. Stay in touch with us all, we are here for you as much as you are there for your Dad.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
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  • ShootingStar
    ShootingStar Member Posts: 15
    #5
    unknown said:

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    Update on Dad
    Well yesterday he didn't get out of bed but one time and he got sick then. His breathing became very shallow and raspy. He started crying that he was in so much pain. I knew he was dehydrated for sure. We called 911, they got him some fluids going and gave him some pain meds (Morphine). He is at SLU now waiting on the DRs. They want to do a GI Scope, so hopefully that will be done today. We were so scared, he kept crying saying he felt like he was dying!! The fluids and pains meds definitely helped, but he is still not well. Will keep you all updated as I know more.

    Thank you for your kind words "sammy". It truely means a lot.

    William, you amaze me with your wealth of knowledge, compassion and you are a true inspiration.

    Much love,
    Jen
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
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  • ShootingStar
    ShootingStar Member Posts: 15
    #7
    unknown said:

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    You Called It!!!!
    We got him into the hospital ASAP! He already felt better in the ambulance, he was so dehydrated and of course the morphine helped. They did a GI Scope and it was the Sphincter. It opened a little with the scope so the DR got a larger one and she said it looks great now. He got new meds to help with digestions. He looks GREAT, feels lots better and Mom said his palsy of his eye is greatly improving!!

    I agree he should be on Hospice, but they are both adimant about not stopping chemo. The DR keeps asking for them to change his status as a DNR (Do Not Rescusitate) and to stop chemo. He won't stop, he wants to keep fighting. Such tough choices they must make.

    Thank you for the advice, I will talk to Mom more about it today. Also thank you all for listening and responding. This is my only way to vent honestly. God Bless you all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Jen
  • ShootingStar
    ShootingStar Member Posts: 15
    #8
    ShootingStar said:

    You Called It!!!!
    We got him into the hospital ASAP! He already felt better in the ambulance, he was so dehydrated and of course the morphine helped. They did a GI Scope and it was the Sphincter. It opened a little with the scope so the DR got a larger one and she said it looks great now. He got new meds to help with digestions. He looks GREAT, feels lots better and Mom said his palsy of his eye is greatly improving!!

    I agree he should be on Hospice, but they are both adimant about not stopping chemo. The DR keeps asking for them to change his status as a DNR (Do Not Rescusitate) and to stop chemo. He won't stop, he wants to keep fighting. Such tough choices they must make.

    Thank you for the advice, I will talk to Mom more about it today. Also thank you all for listening and responding. This is my only way to vent honestly. God Bless you all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Jen

    Forgot to mention, he came
    Forgot to mention, he came home from the hospital last evening!!

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