Side effects from whole brain radiation

Get a second opinion at a teaching hospital.  Its possible that he needs to be oN a higher dose of steroids.  

lebar said:

Side effects of radiation??

Thank you so much for your response.  Recent MRI showed no sign of swelling or other tumors.  We have been told that it is result of radiation.  Today he could not figure out how to use the remote on TV. Just at a loss and do not know where to turn.  I do not want to think I am not doing everything possible. I need the truth.  What does it mean when doctors say patient is on Pallative Chemo treatment.  I can not seem to get a straight answer.  I understand that my husband's cancer can not be cured or that surgery is not a possiblity. Will the chemo treatments slow progression of the cancer or what? Side effects of radiation are nearly overwhelming.

 

At stage 4 all therapy is palliative.  That means its done to relieve the pain and prevent the cancer from growing or spreading.   Sometimes a patient will have a complete response to treatment and it will destroy all of the tumor and its mets.  That's what happened to me.  I had been told I could expect 10-15 months with treatment.  That was in October '10.  

 My mom also had problems eatting and using technology.  This is not rare.  My mom had comorbidities which prevented her from having chemo or using Tarceva.  She never had a chance to recover from WBR.  Talk to her oncologist about an Rx for Marinol or Megace both are appetite enhancers that can help with meals.  

lebar said:

Thanks for the reply

So very sorry about your mother.  Some days are better than others as you well know.  Guess my next question is if my husband only has 2 more treatments scheduled What determines that and I see him getting weaker and weaker and on Wed. of last week his left heel started hurting is that a symptom of met to bone?

The numbers of treatment and dosage is based on results of clinical trials done years ago. As new information comes in they have tweaked it a bit.  There are standards of practice the drs must follow.  you might want to talk to the radiation oncologist and see if they can reduce the dosage a bit though.