Today's apt. for my dad

emg09
emg09 Member Posts: 228
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
My dad is going in for a CT scan today to see if this chemo is doing anything for him. The CT scan is today, but he's also going in to discuss having a feeding tube put in. He really needs the extra help and I'm happy he's admitting to that. Please everyone say an extra prayer for him. I'm afraid if this chemo isn't working he'll give up. He's only using 1 chemo right now too. I have my mom asking why only 1 chemo. Anyway, can I please ask for prayers for him.

Thanks!!
Erika

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    #3
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    update
    the news is not good. The new chemo he was on, Taxotere, did absolutely nothing for him. There are new spots on the liver and the original hasn't grown. The Dr. is going to switch his chemo to 5-FU and another one that my mom couldn't remember at the moment. They will start this one on the 11th. I'm starting to feel the God just isn't going to answer my prayers and has forgotten about my dad. This is just the most awful feeling to have at this point. I don't know how much more suffering my poor dad can handle. My heart is so broken and just empty right now. I hope this feeling will pass while I sleep and I can feel more positive in the morning. The esophagus stent has fallen into the stomach. It will be removed at the time of the feeding tube placement. The Dr. is insisting the G tube is the best route for him. It will be placed lower than normal. She had my parents speak with the attending nurse. She explained that there are less leakage problems with the G tube. Not sure when that will take place. I will hopefully muster up the strength to continue being their rock. My mom is very disappointed, but she said my father was fine with all the new changes coming his way. His 71st bday is on 2/23, maybe this will be his lucky month and things will change for the positive.

    Erika
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #4
    emg09 said:

    update
    the news is not good. The new chemo he was on, Taxotere, did absolutely nothing for him. There are new spots on the liver and the original hasn't grown. The Dr. is going to switch his chemo to 5-FU and another one that my mom couldn't remember at the moment. They will start this one on the 11th. I'm starting to feel the God just isn't going to answer my prayers and has forgotten about my dad. This is just the most awful feeling to have at this point. I don't know how much more suffering my poor dad can handle. My heart is so broken and just empty right now. I hope this feeling will pass while I sleep and I can feel more positive in the morning. The esophagus stent has fallen into the stomach. It will be removed at the time of the feeding tube placement. The Dr. is insisting the G tube is the best route for him. It will be placed lower than normal. She had my parents speak with the attending nurse. She explained that there are less leakage problems with the G tube. Not sure when that will take place. I will hopefully muster up the strength to continue being their rock. My mom is very disappointed, but she said my father was fine with all the new changes coming his way. His 71st bday is on 2/23, maybe this will be his lucky month and things will change for the positive.

    Erika

    My heart is breaking for you!!
    Hi,

    Can't really talk. I e-mailed you. Things aren't looking very good on our end either.
    Love, HUGs and Prayers
    Kath
  • JaneE2366
    JaneE2366 Member Posts: 289 Member
    #5
    emg09 said:

    update
    the news is not good. The new chemo he was on, Taxotere, did absolutely nothing for him. There are new spots on the liver and the original hasn't grown. The Dr. is going to switch his chemo to 5-FU and another one that my mom couldn't remember at the moment. They will start this one on the 11th. I'm starting to feel the God just isn't going to answer my prayers and has forgotten about my dad. This is just the most awful feeling to have at this point. I don't know how much more suffering my poor dad can handle. My heart is so broken and just empty right now. I hope this feeling will pass while I sleep and I can feel more positive in the morning. The esophagus stent has fallen into the stomach. It will be removed at the time of the feeding tube placement. The Dr. is insisting the G tube is the best route for him. It will be placed lower than normal. She had my parents speak with the attending nurse. She explained that there are less leakage problems with the G tube. Not sure when that will take place. I will hopefully muster up the strength to continue being their rock. My mom is very disappointed, but she said my father was fine with all the new changes coming his way. His 71st bday is on 2/23, maybe this will be his lucky month and things will change for the positive.

    Erika

    God has not forgotten
    Erika,
    My heart is breaking for you and your family...but don't give up or start to doubt. Only God knows what his plan is. Try to think positive and hopefully the new chemo will help. Saying prayers it will.
    Jane
  • K_ann1015
    K_ann1015 Member Posts: 500
    #6
    emg09 said:

    update
    the news is not good. The new chemo he was on, Taxotere, did absolutely nothing for him. There are new spots on the liver and the original hasn't grown. The Dr. is going to switch his chemo to 5-FU and another one that my mom couldn't remember at the moment. They will start this one on the 11th. I'm starting to feel the God just isn't going to answer my prayers and has forgotten about my dad. This is just the most awful feeling to have at this point. I don't know how much more suffering my poor dad can handle. My heart is so broken and just empty right now. I hope this feeling will pass while I sleep and I can feel more positive in the morning. The esophagus stent has fallen into the stomach. It will be removed at the time of the feeding tube placement. The Dr. is insisting the G tube is the best route for him. It will be placed lower than normal. She had my parents speak with the attending nurse. She explained that there are less leakage problems with the G tube. Not sure when that will take place. I will hopefully muster up the strength to continue being their rock. My mom is very disappointed, but she said my father was fine with all the new changes coming his way. His 71st bday is on 2/23, maybe this will be his lucky month and things will change for the positive.

    Erika

    prayers are with you...
    Erika
    I haven't posted in a while---but so saddened by the apparently scary news... I just think that having you nearby is a great positive for him---he and your mom are not going through this alone---you are tackling it together---(as JAne said--with God's help). I pray for God's wisdom, guidanceN comfort and peace for you. Let it cover you like a blanket... know that we are all here---actually suffering because of your fear and pain... things CAN be change for the positive!!! so hang in there csn friend!
    Kim
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    emg09 said:

    update
    the news is not good. The new chemo he was on, Taxotere, did absolutely nothing for him. There are new spots on the liver and the original hasn't grown. The Dr. is going to switch his chemo to 5-FU and another one that my mom couldn't remember at the moment. They will start this one on the 11th. I'm starting to feel the God just isn't going to answer my prayers and has forgotten about my dad. This is just the most awful feeling to have at this point. I don't know how much more suffering my poor dad can handle. My heart is so broken and just empty right now. I hope this feeling will pass while I sleep and I can feel more positive in the morning. The esophagus stent has fallen into the stomach. It will be removed at the time of the feeding tube placement. The Dr. is insisting the G tube is the best route for him. It will be placed lower than normal. She had my parents speak with the attending nurse. She explained that there are less leakage problems with the G tube. Not sure when that will take place. I will hopefully muster up the strength to continue being their rock. My mom is very disappointed, but she said my father was fine with all the new changes coming his way. His 71st bday is on 2/23, maybe this will be his lucky month and things will change for the positive.

    Erika

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #8
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Do Not Give Up on Yourself or God!
    Hi Erika,
    This is just another hurdle you all must conquer. You know that this EC road is a rough one! I am so happy that he will be getting the feeding tube. I know that once that is in place, and he is able to get more nutrients, he will feel 100% better. He will be much stronger. Not all chemos work the first time, that is why there are so many more to try.
    This new chemo and the feeding tube will be the answer. February will prove to be a great month for all of you. Prayers continue to be said for all of you daily. Love and hugs to you, dad, and mom!
    Tina
  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    #9
    Tina Blondek said:

    Do Not Give Up on Yourself or God!
    Hi Erika,
    This is just another hurdle you all must conquer. You know that this EC road is a rough one! I am so happy that he will be getting the feeding tube. I know that once that is in place, and he is able to get more nutrients, he will feel 100% better. He will be much stronger. Not all chemos work the first time, that is why there are so many more to try.
    This new chemo and the feeding tube will be the answer. February will prove to be a great month for all of you. Prayers continue to be said for all of you daily. Love and hugs to you, dad, and mom!
    Tina

    Thank you all!!
    I'm feeling a little better after a good night sleep. I won't give up my prayers. My dad is feeling good and ready for the fight. He's so strong willed. I'm ready for him to start his new chemo so we can start tackling this horrible beast again. Thanks for picking me up when I was so down. It's good to have all you here!!

    HUGS to everyone!!
    Erika
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member
    #10
    emg09 said:

    Thank you all!!
    I'm feeling a little better after a good night sleep. I won't give up my prayers. My dad is feeling good and ready for the fight. He's so strong willed. I'm ready for him to start his new chemo so we can start tackling this horrible beast again. Thanks for picking me up when I was so down. It's good to have all you here!!

    HUGS to everyone!!
    Erika

    i would be asking the question
    When three pronged chemos have been shown to work so well, why is he on a single chemo? Is it his inability to handle more than that? Or is it that this doc doesn't understand the three pronged advantage?

    layne's responses were with 5fu, oxaliplatin, and taxotere, so I can't tell you which one it was or if it was the combination. Hoping that the 5fu does great things! Keep us updated.
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #11
    Betty in Vegas said:

    i would be asking the question
    When three pronged chemos have been shown to work so well, why is he on a single chemo? Is it his inability to handle more than that? Or is it that this doc doesn't understand the three pronged advantage?

    layne's responses were with 5fu, oxaliplatin, and taxotere, so I can't tell you which one it was or if it was the combination. Hoping that the 5fu does great things! Keep us updated.

    Another opinion - my dad is
    Another opinion - my dad is 78 and in fairly good health (he has diabities and hearing loss). The second oncoligist we consulted was worried that a combo of three chemo drugs would be toxic to my dad he is in the Stage III with no organ involvement (his first set of doctors the surgeon wanted on chemo drug and no radiation and the oncologist wanted three chemo drugs, ratiadion and then surgery), but said that there is little reseach on the use of just one chemo drug and suggested it was more like using a sugar pill and unlikely to be effective. This stuff is scary.

    So they are going to try a 2 drug combo (even though 3 is preferred). We were cautioned there is little conclusive research on the 2 prong approach because the 3 drug therapy seems to work best. They don't want to give him the 5fu because of the hearing issues. After 1 course the Pet scan to see how it is working and then adjustment if necessary and then targeted radiation treatment and then evaluate how he is doing and perhaps on to the surgery. His first treatment was Thursday.

    Keep asking questions - it is important.
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #12
    Betty in Vegas said:

    i would be asking the question
    When three pronged chemos have been shown to work so well, why is he on a single chemo? Is it his inability to handle more than that? Or is it that this doc doesn't understand the three pronged advantage?

    layne's responses were with 5fu, oxaliplatin, and taxotere, so I can't tell you which one it was or if it was the combination. Hoping that the 5fu does great things! Keep us updated.

    Another opinion - my dad is
    Another opinion - my dad is 78 and in fairly good health (he has diabities and hearing loss). The second oncoligist we consulted was worried that a combo of three chemo drugs would be toxic to my dad he is in Stage III with no organ involvement, but said that there is little reseach on the use of just one chemo drug and suggested it was more like using a sugar pill and unlikely to be effective. This stuff is scary.

    (his first set of doctors the surgeon wanted one chemo drug and no radiation and the oncologist wanted three chemo drugs, radiadion and then surgery), no discussions about his age the results and effects of the treatment and his health complications.

    So they are going to try a 2 drug combo (even though 3 is preferred). We were cautioned there is little conclusive research on the 2 prong approach because the 3 drug therapy seems to work best. They don't want to give him the 5fu because of the hearing issues. After 1 course of chemo then the Pet scan to see how it is working and adjustments if necessary, more chemo and then targeted radiation treatment and then evaluate how he is doing and perhaps on to the surgery. His first treatment was Thursday.

    Keep asking questions - it is important.
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #13
    emg09 said:

    Thank you all!!
    I'm feeling a little better after a good night sleep. I won't give up my prayers. My dad is feeling good and ready for the fight. He's so strong willed. I'm ready for him to start his new chemo so we can start tackling this horrible beast again. Thanks for picking me up when I was so down. It's good to have all you here!!

    HUGS to everyone!!
    Erika

    update
    Erika,
    I will be praying for your Dad and hoping that the new changes esp the feeding tube will help build his strength up for this fight. So glad you are there for your Mom and Dad and that your Dad sounds like he has a great attitude and that is half the fight. Prayers for you and all who are in this fight. take care,
    Donna70

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