Chemo -My dad's 2nd Dose of 1st round did not go well

iLiveinOH
iLiveinOH Member Posts: 4
in Kidney Cancer #1

Looking to see if this is how chemo feels like?


Background:

My dad is 59, fit for his age and has had I think 7 surgeries including 3 back operations and can take some amount of pain.


Story:
Today was his 2nd dose (last wk was 7 hrs and today was supposed to be 2 or 3) and he said it was "sheer torture". He said burning in his veins like acid and is one of the worst experiences of his life. He told the staff that unless there is a complete change that he won't proceed with chemo. I don't know off hand what type of drugs they were exactly but can find out.

Questions:
His first dose last week he said wasn't easy but got through with it (7 hours). Would it be that much worse today? Is chemo excrutiating pain that seems unbearable? Is it really this bad or maybe he was given too much of a certain drug and people react differently?

They suggested trying with a port, is the port a lot better? He says if it feels like it did through the port in his chest he will stop.

Comments

  • Manufred
    Manufred Member Posts: 241 Member
    #2
    Alternatives?

    I have no personal experience with traditional Chemo, but have had a lot of comment from the clinicians in the day-care centre about how administering immunotherapy is so much more satisfying for them as well as for the patients.  Is that not a possible alternative for your father?

    Stay strong and best wishes,

    Fred

  • a_oaklee
    a_oaklee Member Posts: 566 Member
    #3
    TCC?

    Im also not familiar with TCC and its treatment.  I believe most people here have RCC and dont receive chemotherapy.  My husband has RCC and takes targeted therapy which is a pill.  Some of which have miserable side effects.  The medicine he is on now is not bad.  Some people do receive immunotherapy which is an infusion.  Maybe you can find out the name of the drug and search the entire site looking for threads of anyone receiving it.  Or search TCC in the search function.  Another great resource is Smart Patients.  I think you will find some additional information there.  I believe your immediate help should be coming from the oncologist and their staff.  If they suggested a port, thats what I would do, especially since this is happening weekly.  Sounds like your dad is a fighter and really trying hard.  We also spoke with doctors and social workers regarding the emotional  impact of everything we were going through.  Its helpful to deal with the psychological aspects too and do whatever interventions help.  Try to find what helps your dad.  Pictures of his kids, grandchildren, videos, music, religion?   Best wishes to you and your family.

  • iLiveinOH
    iLiveinOH Member Posts: 4
    #4
    a_oaklee said:

    TCC?

    Im also not familiar with TCC and its treatment.  I believe most people here have RCC and dont receive chemotherapy.  My husband has RCC and takes targeted therapy which is a pill.  Some of which have miserable side effects.  The medicine he is on now is not bad.  Some people do receive immunotherapy which is an infusion.  Maybe you can find out the name of the drug and search the entire site looking for threads of anyone receiving it.  Or search TCC in the search function.  Another great resource is Smart Patients.  I think you will find some additional information there.  I believe your immediate help should be coming from the oncologist and their staff.  If they suggested a port, thats what I would do, especially since this is happening weekly.  Sounds like your dad is a fighter and really trying hard.  We also spoke with doctors and social workers regarding the emotional  impact of everything we were going through.  Its helpful to deal with the psychological aspects too and do whatever interventions help.  Try to find what helps your dad.  Pictures of his kids, grandchildren, videos, music, religion?   Best wishes to you and your family.

    Thanks for your reply and

    Thanks for your reply and information! I hope everything goes well for your husband!!

  • iLiveinOH
    iLiveinOH Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2019 #5
    Manufred said:

    Alternatives?

    I have no personal experience with traditional Chemo, but have had a lot of comment from the clinicians in the day-care centre about how administering immunotherapy is so much more satisfying for them as well as for the patients.  Is that not a possible alternative for your father?

    Stay strong and best wishes,

    Fred

    Thanks Fred. I'm not exactly

    Thanks Fred. I'm not exactly sure as he didn't give me all the details but do know that they are calling it aggressive and invasive and using aggressive chemo treatment. I will ask him about immunotherapy and if the oncologist mentioned that or if the chemo was the best option.

  • Deanie0916
    Deanie0916 Member Posts: 626 Member
    #6
    Chemo

    I've never had any chemo for kidney cancer but I had chemo via port for breast cancer and it never burned or was painful.I hope he'll talk to the doctors to see if it is normal.

  • Deanie0916
    Deanie0916 Member Posts: 626 Member
    #7
    Chemo

    I've never had any chemo for kidney cancer but I had chemo via port for breast cancer and it never burned or was painful.I hope he'll talk to the doctors to see if it is normal.

  • iLiveinOH
    iLiveinOH Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2019 #8
    Deanie0916 said:

    Chemo

    I've never had any chemo for kidney cancer but I had chemo via port for breast cancer and it never burned or was painful.I hope he'll talk to the doctors to see if it is normal.

    @deanie0916 thanks for the

    @deanie0916 thanks for the reply. He did just receive the port this week before the next treatment but is scared to death of being 'tortured' and going through that amount of pain. Praying maybe it leaked out of his veins and that's what caused all fo the pain and that the port won't hurt.

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