Dad 3 weeks post treatment

CherieLW
CherieLW Member Posts: 472
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hey everyone

I have been MIA the past week and a half or so, just wanted to pop in and check on everyone and wish you all well... it's been crazy trying to balance school, help dad, getting my parents ready to move, work, and now my brother in law fell from a ladder last Friday breaking his rib and banging himself up pretty badly.  My favorite aunt is in the hospital with what they think is congestive heart failure- hopefully can be treated with diuretics.  So yeah, please continue keeping us in your prayers! I know I requested a prayer for a friend who was suffering from breast cancer who was going to be on chemo for the rest of her life, she is now in the hospital with liver complications.  Please keep her in prayers too!

Dad is still about the same.  He has had a little more energy- but I think he's pushing himself to stay active. Minimal drinking by mouth, still feeding through his PEG. I've seen him smile a little more lately, stopped by last nite and we watched tv and laughed some.  Can't wait til he can get the PEG out, but I think its still going to be awhile :( I know youall said it would take time to heal, but I keep expecting him to do it quicker.  Doc says blood and everything looks good so I'm glad for that! Thank God! What makes me leary though is after his next scan, his oncologist said if he feels it is necessary he may decide to give dad 2 more chemo treatments w/ a different type of med (not cistiplan).  WHy would he even say that right now? It worries me... Still praying that dad recovers soon and things start looking up.  My family has had way too much going on right now. 

On the other hand, I hope everyone is doing well and hearing good news! I did read posts, but didn't have time to reply.  I wanted to reply on T's post about health anxiety bc I suffer from gen. anxiety and panic attacks, maybe thought I could put some of it into perspective.  Hope to reply on that one soon!

Prayers and love,

Cherie

p.s. I graduate with my bachelors this November! I can't wait- sorry I had to add this. I've just worked way too hard. :)

Comments

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
    cherie. so glad to hear from

    cherie, so glad to hear from you.  was getting worried cause u hadn't been on.  sorry to hear about all the bad stuff going on.  your family needs a break.  i can't imagine why the doc would say that about 2 more treatments but i'd certainly find out exactly why he is considering it.  thats a pretty serious consideration.  will b praying all goes well with next scan.  will also say a prayer 4 ur aunt, brother-in-law and friend.  u really do have a lot going on right now.

    its great that u graduate in november!!  something positive to look forward to.  a bright spot in all this sadness.  u should b proud of urself!

    keep us posted when u find time.

    dj

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #3
    Dad

     

     Cherie,

    Busy, busy life, that is good.

    As your Dad heals (provided all systems are a go) he may need to push himself to do more, whether it is walking around the house or making his own PEG concoction. My first trips around the block were monumental, but they felt good and were good for me.

    I did not instantly start to feel better; I had to work at it (eating, drinking, sleeping, exercise, etc).  He has to heal his mind, his spirit and his body.

    Good luck,

    Matt

     

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #4
    debbiejeanne said:

    cherie. so glad to hear from

    cherie, so glad to hear from you.  was getting worried cause u hadn't been on.  sorry to hear about all the bad stuff going on.  your family needs a break.  i can't imagine why the doc would say that about 2 more treatments but i'd certainly find out exactly why he is considering it.  thats a pretty serious consideration.  will b praying all goes well with next scan.  will also say a prayer 4 ur aunt, brother-in-law and friend.  u really do have a lot going on right now.

    its great that u graduate in november!!  something positive to look forward to.  a bright spot in all this sadness.  u should b proud of urself!

    keep us posted when u find time.

    dj

    Aww thanks Debbie!  i

    Aww thanks Debbie!  i appreciate all the prayers we can get right now!  It's been crazy!  The doctor said that if he felt it was needed he may consider 2 other doses of chemo.  Has me worried though.  :(  Hope you are doing great!

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #5
    CivilMatt said:

    Dad

     

     Cherie,

    Busy, busy life, that is good.

    As your Dad heals (provided all systems are a go) he may need to push himself to do more, whether it is walking around the house or making his own PEG concoction. My first trips around the block were monumental, but they felt good and were good for me.

    I did not instantly start to feel better; I had to work at it (eating, drinking, sleeping, exercise, etc).  He has to heal his mind, his spirit and his body.

    Good luck,

    Matt

     

    He's been going out each day

    He's been going out each day and doing little things like mowing, working on new house, but still just not eating/drinking like I think he should be.  I know its at his pace though.  I gotta learn to be more paitent! :(

    Thanks!

    Cherie

  • sin9775
    sin9775 Member Posts: 199 Member
    #6
    Hi Cherie.  Last night I was

    Hi Cherie.  Last night I was just about to ask if anyone has heard from you lately.  It was great to hear from you again.  I have also been MIA.  I just got back from a visit with my brother and was wondering how your dad was doing.  It sounds like they are on the same course.  I will be posting something about my visit next.

    I wish your dad well.  Yes, recovery is slow, but they have to take it at their own pace, not ours.  That can be very frustrating, for sure. 

    Congratulations on your upcoming graduation.  It could not have been easy to concentrate on your studies while all of this has been going on.  I am quite certain your dad is besides himself with pride!

    ~Shawn~

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
    First...congrats on your BA....

    I'll bet your parents are very proud of you for working hard to get it.

    Your dad is only three weeks out, so yes...patience is the key.  I've never eaten as much since treatment ended as I did before....it's just not as much fun....at our ages keeping our weight down is easier than for other golden oldies who never faced HNC.  At this stage of the game, I'll look at that as a plus Laughing.

    As for the adjuvent chemo...there must be a reason the Dr.'s are thinking about it....I had it....3 Cisplatin/5FU infusions after radiation was over.....I figured it was a mop-up to make sure every single one of those nasty cancer cells was dead and gone.  It's easier when you're not doing rads along with the chemo's.  There are others here who had the adjuvent chemo, also.

    p

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #8
    sin9775 said:

    Hi Cherie.  Last night I was

    Hi Cherie.  Last night I was just about to ask if anyone has heard from you lately.  It was great to hear from you again.  I have also been MIA.  I just got back from a visit with my brother and was wondering how your dad was doing.  It sounds like they are on the same course.  I will be posting something about my visit next.

    I wish your dad well.  Yes, recovery is slow, but they have to take it at their own pace, not ours.  That can be very frustrating, for sure. 

    Congratulations on your upcoming graduation.  It could not have been easy to concentrate on your studies while all of this has been going on.  I am quite certain your dad is besides himself with pride!

    ~Shawn~

    Shawn,  
    Good to hear from

    Shawn,  

    Good to hear from you too!  Everyone's been in my thoughts! !  I saw you posted in the forum,  I will reply as well there :)  Thx for the congrats 

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #9
    phrannie51 said:

    First...congrats on your BA....

    I'll bet your parents are very proud of you for working hard to get it.

    Your dad is only three weeks out, so yes...patience is the key.  I've never eaten as much since treatment ended as I did before....it's just not as much fun....at our ages keeping our weight down is easier than for other golden oldies who never faced HNC.  At this stage of the game, I'll look at that as a plus Laughing.

    As for the adjuvent chemo...there must be a reason the Dr.'s are thinking about it....I had it....3 Cisplatin/5FU infusions after radiation was over.....I figured it was a mop-up to make sure every single one of those nasty cancer cells was dead and gone.  It's easier when you're not doing rads along with the chemo's.  There are others here who had the adjuvent chemo, also.

    p

    Thanks Phrannie, I'm ready as

    Thanks Phrannie, I'm ready as it had been difficult to focus on classes lately. I wondered about the extra chemo...  thx for your input.  I think he mentioned if needed as a clean up type thing too.

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #10
    CherieLW said:

    He's been going out each day

    He's been going out each day and doing little things like mowing, working on new house, but still just not eating/drinking like I think he should be.  I know its at his pace though.  I gotta learn to be more paitent! :(

    Thanks!

    Cherie

    Patience for sure

    Cherie,

    As your Dad heals and as his taste returns, his appetite will as well. As P said, just don't expect him to eat like he did pre-cancer. At almost 4 months post Tx, I'm enjoying pretty much anything within reason but I just can't pack it away like I used to. It's a long road back to abi-normal for sure. Patience, love and encouragement is the best medicine.

    "T"

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #11
    Hi Cherie

    Glad to hear dad is doing fine. It never goes as fast as we want but he will progress. Sorry to hear about you Aunt and her battle.

    Congrats on the bachelors degree. I had a bachelors degree once untill I turned 29 and lost it when I got married the first time. No big deal, I found my Katie got married and now I have a Masters.

          Jeff

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #12
    Duggie88 said:

    Hi Cherie

    Glad to hear dad is doing fine. It never goes as fast as we want but he will progress. Sorry to hear about you Aunt and her battle.

    Congrats on the bachelors degree. I had a bachelors degree once untill I turned 29 and lost it when I got married the first time. No big deal, I found my Katie got married and now I have a Masters.

          Jeff

    Cherie

    Sounds like your Dad is doing ok on the recovery road. Encourage that little extra push each day to work toward ridding himself of the PEG. You certainly have plenty on your plate right now but have your priorities straight in knowing it is the people in your life that really matter and be proud of your education.  Don't be intimidated by any doctor, ask why they said that about additional chemo. I am off to Mayo again in a few hours. Meeting with radiologist today (got to come home for the weekend) and tomorrow have a CT guided biopsy (scared, yes). Able to stay at hotel while up there and not in the hospital. The surgeon, who ruled out surgery, reminded me of Sheldon on The Big Bang Therory.

    Continued good wishes and prayers for you and yours.

    Candi 

     

     

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #13
    fishmanpa said:

    Patience for sure

    Cherie,

    As your Dad heals and as his taste returns, his appetite will as well. As P said, just don't expect him to eat like he did pre-cancer. At almost 4 months post Tx, I'm enjoying pretty much anything within reason but I just can't pack it away like I used to. It's a long road back to abi-normal for sure. Patience, love and encouragement is the best medicine.

    "T"

    Thanks T,
    I know I get a

    Thanks T,

    I know I get a little impatient from time to time.  I try to think...it took dad 7 weeks to get to the point of where he is, I'm sure it will take at least 7 more to make improvements.  Just want to see him well :(  Trying to keep some patience!  He was able to taste the salt and fruit punch this weekend which made me smile...although the fruit punch was too acidic.

    Hoping you continue to feel better each day also! I pray for you all every nite!

    Cherie

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #14
    Duggie88 said:

    Hi Cherie

    Glad to hear dad is doing fine. It never goes as fast as we want but he will progress. Sorry to hear about you Aunt and her battle.

    Congrats on the bachelors degree. I had a bachelors degree once untill I turned 29 and lost it when I got married the first time. No big deal, I found my Katie got married and now I have a Masters.

          Jeff

    Thanks Jeff!  Thank Goodness,

    Thanks Jeff!  Thank Goodness, they found out my Aunt was only suffering from blood pressure problems, not congestive heart failure.  *sigh*

    Thanks for the congrats also, I've worked hard and I admit, it has been hard at times to keep up with everything goin on.  Yay for your masters! Who knows, maybe one day I'll work towards that also :)

    Cherie

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #15
    hwt said:

    Cherie

    Sounds like your Dad is doing ok on the recovery road. Encourage that little extra push each day to work toward ridding himself of the PEG. You certainly have plenty on your plate right now but have your priorities straight in knowing it is the people in your life that really matter and be proud of your education.  Don't be intimidated by any doctor, ask why they said that about additional chemo. I am off to Mayo again in a few hours. Meeting with radiologist today (got to come home for the weekend) and tomorrow have a CT guided biopsy (scared, yes). Able to stay at hotel while up there and not in the hospital. The surgeon, who ruled out surgery, reminded me of Sheldon on The Big Bang Therory.

    Continued good wishes and prayers for you and yours.

    Candi 

     

     

    Thanks Candi,
    I'll keep you

    Thanks Candi,

    I'll keep you in mind today (and in my prayers) as you visit the Mayo clinic and for your biopsy tomorrow.  I know that has to be scary to anticipate these sort of things :( 

    I'm def going to work on ridding dad of that PEG! I can't wait for him to enjoy food again..

    Cherie

     

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #16
    YAY!!

    Congrats on getting your schoolwork done while your dad was going through his fight.  You're one tough lady!!  That's a huge accomplishment and you should be proud!  

     

    Glad your dad is getting there...it's slow, but he'll be good as new eventually.  (Maybe not exactly the same, but I tell people it was God making improvements and that's what my "differences" are now!)  Give him a hug from us!

     

    I'm sorry about all that is going on in your famiy.  You need a vacation!!!!  I'm still praying for you and will extend those to include your entire family.  

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #17
    TracyLynn72 said:

    YAY!!

    Congrats on getting your schoolwork done while your dad was going through his fight.  You're one tough lady!!  That's a huge accomplishment and you should be proud!  

     

    Glad your dad is getting there...it's slow, but he'll be good as new eventually.  (Maybe not exactly the same, but I tell people it was God making improvements and that's what my "differences" are now!)  Give him a hug from us!

     

    I'm sorry about all that is going on in your famiy.  You need a vacation!!!!  I'm still praying for you and will extend those to include your entire family.  

    Thanks Tracy for all the

    Thanks Tracy for all the prayers!  I sure do appreciate it.  I hope you are improving quickly as well! Prayers to you!

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #18
    Thoughts & Prayers

    Coming your way....

    Congrats on the degree...., I finshed my BS, 26 years after I received my AA, LOL... I know how great it feels to finish it up...

    JG

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