2 weeks post radiation/chemo

CarolynHarvey
CarolynHarvey Member Posts: 8
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi, My 72 year old father finished 7 weeks of radiation 2 weeks ago today. He did do weekly chemo also, but they stopped that after week 5 bc of his blood counts.  Currently he is exhausted and spending most of his time sleeping. Is this normal for this point in time? He is still choking back the boost, he doesn't have a feeding tube, they didn't want him to have one. He was in the hospital for the last week of treatment plus about 5 days with a PICC line getting TPN as he was malnourished from not drinking the boost....A home care nurse has been coming every other day to give him IV hyrdration. Just wondering from your experiences, is it normal that he is still so exhausted at this point in time? if yes, when will he perk up? He was a really strong man, lost most of his muscle. He is stubborn and determined, not the give up type....I don't know what kind of pain he is in bc he doesn't share that info. I'm so worried about him. He lives a few hours away and really doesn't want his kids to see him like this. I am getting daily updates from his wife, we get the least amount of info possible, his choice, I think? he just doesn't want his kids to worry, but essentially, this makes us worry more. He goes in November to see how the treatment worked. 

Comments

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #2
    Everyone is differnet and age

    Everyone is different and age and health prior to treatment are big factors. Personally, I think the weeks immediately following treatment can often be harder on patients than the time during treatment.

    That said, his lowered intake of calories and water is probably the biggest contributor to him feeling sick. I find that when adequate calories, water and protein are being consumed, the patient does much better.

    Is he doing regular Boost or Boost VHC? I love the VHC because you get over 500 calories in just 8 swallows! I do 4 a day plus a Premiere Protein to give me a protein bump. I too did not have a feeding tube and I'm 3 weeks out from treatment.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    edited October 2017 #3
    all systems normal

    CH,

    Two weeks post I would expect your Father to be exhausted from daily activities, especially if he finished-up in a semi-dehydrated and under nourished state.  As said by OKC, fluids and nutrition are imperative to good recovery.  Barring anything being wrong, if he stays on top of nutrition and hydration, he should turn the corner soon.  Many H&N members find 2 weeks post to be difficult.  He needs to move in small steps and improvements will happen. It is optimal if he can venture beyond the recliner (or whatever) and try to walk a little bit or go outside and breathe some fresh air.  He will get better; it takes time, more time than 2 weeks, but time it is.

    If there are bigger health issues in the way, have them checked out. If you go see him, be upbeat and positive. The obvious may be how old a person seems to be, but the unseen is the cancer is gone and he has many years to go.

    Good luck.

    Matt

  • Klingels
    Klingels Member Posts: 78
    edited October 2017 #4
    our experience

    My husband is 55 and it took 7 weeks post treatment for him to finally have a change for the better. For seven weeks, he just laid in bed. He would move from one bed to another or to a couch. After seven weeks, he was able to watch tv, concentrate on small tasks, and be interested in life around him. He has slowly been improving since then. He is now 12 weeks post treatment and due to go back to work in January.

    Debbie

  • CarolynHarvey
    CarolynHarvey Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2017 #5
    Thank you for your replies. I

    Thank you for your replies. I spoke with him tonight. He lost 25lbs, he says it was all muscle. A lot in his legs. He says he walks to the end of the driveway (it is pretty long, on a farm) and his legs get wobbly. He said "I don't know if I will ever recover from this", that is how weak he feels. So sad. And he doesn't even know if the treatment worked yet. He sees the specialist mid Nov. My heart is broken for him. He was such a strong tough guy. I hope he gets some life back.

     

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