Still looking for someone with issues of frailty and dementia who is undergoing or has undergone rad

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Little Red
Little Red Member Posts: 4
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
posted last week that my husband is due to start radiation therapy for throat/lymph node cancer. He is frail and has mild dementia. What can we expect? What about issues of swelling of throat, aspiration, eating, etc. Really would like some input. Thanks.

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  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #2
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    I have little to offer.
    Hi, Little Red,

    I don't know of anyone who has posted here over the last year and a half or so who has offered any comment on dementia. Many folks here are/were frail, and there are a number of things that the doctor can do to help - such as recommending installation of a feeding tube.

    When I underwent my daily radiation treatments, I was scheduled after an elderly man who exhibited symptoms of dementia. His radiation sessions lasted much longer than the norm, as he was unable to hold his hands still while under the mask. Raising one's hands is typically a signal of distress, and the radiation technicians respond accordingly by stopping the treatment and entering the room to attend the patient. I would hear that machine stop and start again at least ten times during his session. The technicians were always kind and supportive, and would ask him to remain still, but they had to respond to his every movement.

    Deb
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
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    D Lewis said:

    I have little to offer.
    Hi, Little Red,

    I don't know of anyone who has posted here over the last year and a half or so who has offered any comment on dementia. Many folks here are/were frail, and there are a number of things that the doctor can do to help - such as recommending installation of a feeding tube.

    When I underwent my daily radiation treatments, I was scheduled after an elderly man who exhibited symptoms of dementia. His radiation sessions lasted much longer than the norm, as he was unable to hold his hands still while under the mask. Raising one's hands is typically a signal of distress, and the radiation technicians respond accordingly by stopping the treatment and entering the room to attend the patient. I would hear that machine stop and start again at least ten times during his session. The technicians were always kind and supportive, and would ask him to remain still, but they had to respond to his every movement.

    Deb

    tough question
    "posted last week that my husband is due to start radiation therapy for throat/lymph node cancer. He is frail and has mild dementia. What can we expect? What about issues of swelling of throat, aspiration, eating, etc. Really would like some input. Thanks. "

    Swelling of the throat? It will depend on his individual reaction to treatment
    Aspiration???? It will depend on him, stay away from salad.
    Eating ?????????? More than likely will be difficult for him as he is already frail and nutrition plays such a crucial part in this treatement, will he have a feeding tube?
    Dementia????I could speculate but so could you and I don't live with him on a daily basis? You obviously are confident he will get through the physical part or mechanics of treatment.

    My biggest concern is nutrition and his frailty. You must be very viglant here and do well to plan ahead!
  • Little Red
    Little Red Member Posts: 4
    #4
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    D Lewis said:

    I have little to offer.
    Hi, Little Red,

    I don't know of anyone who has posted here over the last year and a half or so who has offered any comment on dementia. Many folks here are/were frail, and there are a number of things that the doctor can do to help - such as recommending installation of a feeding tube.

    When I underwent my daily radiation treatments, I was scheduled after an elderly man who exhibited symptoms of dementia. His radiation sessions lasted much longer than the norm, as he was unable to hold his hands still while under the mask. Raising one's hands is typically a signal of distress, and the radiation technicians respond accordingly by stopping the treatment and entering the room to attend the patient. I would hear that machine stop and start again at least ten times during his session. The technicians were always kind and supportive, and would ask him to remain still, but they had to respond to his every movement.

    Deb

    Throat cancer
    Thank you for your response. My husband will be taking Xanax before he undergoes each treatment. Fortunately? his dementia is not severe yet and I believe he will be able to handle the treatments without interruption. He is having a feeding tube placed tomorrow afternoon. Your thoughts are appreciated.
  • Little Red
    Little Red Member Posts: 4
    #5
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    ratface said:

    tough question
    "posted last week that my husband is due to start radiation therapy for throat/lymph node cancer. He is frail and has mild dementia. What can we expect? What about issues of swelling of throat, aspiration, eating, etc. Really would like some input. Thanks. "

    Swelling of the throat? It will depend on his individual reaction to treatment
    Aspiration???? It will depend on him, stay away from salad.
    Eating ?????????? More than likely will be difficult for him as he is already frail and nutrition plays such a crucial part in this treatement, will he have a feeding tube?
    Dementia????I could speculate but so could you and I don't live with him on a daily basis? You obviously are confident he will get through the physical part or mechanics of treatment.

    My biggest concern is nutrition and his frailty. You must be very viglant here and do well to plan ahead!

    Throat cancer
    Hi Ratface. (When my husband worked as a carpentry superintendent for over 35 years, he was referred to as "The Rat." Maybe we have a good connection.) Thank you for your reply. He is scheduled to have an endoscopy tomorrow with possible dilation of his throat if needed. He will have his feeding tube placed tomorrow also and then treatment will begin next week. I have thankful that his dementia is not severe at this point and that he will be able to handle what lays ahead. We are pushing calories now although he looks so thin now I can't (and don't want to) imagine him thinner. I am trying to find out all I can. We just settled into our retirement home at the end of February and this hit us right between the eyes. Trying to plan for any eventuality.

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