Hi All,
I'm new here. My father was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had whipple surgery last October. He started chemo every other week just before Thanksgiving. After two treatments he developed an infection and had to be hospitalized. In the two weeks before that he became very weak and lost a lot of weight. He was drinking protein shakes but could tolerate little else. He wants to switch to another chemo treatment at a different hospital that supposedly is just as effective but has less side effects. Has anyone switched chemo treatments and how did it go? Anyone have had chemo experiences and want to share how they got through it? My father is an amazing person and I would like to do anything I can to help. He was so positive going into the chemo process but after his hospitalization is understandably somewhat disillusioned. Any advice is much appreciated!
Perhaps it is time to reconsider treatment that is making him miserable without any benefit.
You have not filled out much information in your profile. How old is Dad, does he have any co-morbidities etc?
Have you talked to his medical team about outcomes?
What does dad's doctor have to say about prognosis? Is chemo only going to extend his life for the duration of the treatments, or, is there any chance he can go into long term remission afterwards? Is there any hope for him long term by taking these chemo treatments?
Sometimes chemo can become a bigger problem than the cancer it's trying to kill. Is your dad sure he wants to continue with any form of chemo? It's a tough decision, I know, but one that requires careful consideration, especially if he's going to have adverse reactions to it. My cousin is 48 years old and has stage 4 brain cancer. The chemo has been SO hard for him to bear that he's refused further treatments. He's allowing nature to take its course and enjoying his life to the fullest now instead of trying to recuperate from each chemo treatment. Extending his life via such means offers him such a poor quality of life that he's decided it's not worth it. I think that's the decision your dad has to make for himself. He can try the other form of chemo to see how it goes, but if he has adverse side effects, then it's time to reconsider the whole plan.
My ex husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 61; he moved in with my son for the duration of his chemo treatments which were changed mid-stream, if I recall. He was unable to care for himself for about a year due to neuropathy in his hands/legs/feet from the chemo, along with weight loss and appetite loss, and a few other not-so-wonderful side effects. I will say that he's cancer free now, 5 years in March, which is pretty amazing and rare for anyone with stage 4 colon cancer. He's a medical miracle.
Again, I'm so sorry you're both faced with such hard decisions at this time in your lives. Wishing you the best of luck moving forward & sending you a hug and a prayer for peace.