4-8-10 - Day 19 of Radiation, Meeting with Chemotherapist

Yesterday was somewhat of a downtrodden, disappointing dad for my dad so I hardly felt like posting anything. I think he had a reality check that all hits us at different times, in different ways.

...Today sounds more promising, post-Dr. Shambaugh (chemotherapist) meeting. Although he told me he had a list of questions ready (ah-hem, Dad!), I guess he did not so I am thankful Staci and Dion did! The doctor explained why it was important to continue chemotherapy because of his aggressive tumor and the fact that the chemotherapy and radiation work well together. This is because with radiation, there’s only a certain amount of tissue that can be killed (his radiation = highest dose possible, thus low-dose of chemotherapy to balance things out ).

The reality check (according to Shambaugh): if he were to quit everything (the chemo and radiation) today, he would have perhaps 6-8 months to live. On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the worst), he is a 7 or 8. Although, there is hope for change. Shambaugh said we wouldn’t be having this conversation if he were a 9 or 10. If he doesn’t have the treatment or the cancer comes back after treatment, it may go external. Although there’s not as much pain involved in such a scenario, because of the many blood vessels in the head, throat, & neck the tumor could burst a blood vessel and cause death.

Our "perfect world" goal is to reduce this cancer to a remission stage (it would be magical if it went away completely). In remission, his tongue will be thickened but possibly able to function. His trach tube might be able to come out but it depends. So, in attempt to achieve this goal, my father agreed to try chemo again. His next 5-hour appointment is on Monday, April 12.

So overall, this meeting had a positive result; conversely, it delivered plenty of negatives and unknowns. It is amazing the comfort one can feel from simple communication. Although the triad "pow-wow" between the three doctors that we envisioned doesn't exactly work that way, Dr. Shambaugh said he has spoken with both Trang and Gorla. I am also accompanying my dad to his appointment with Dr. Trang this coming Wednesday, April 14. To me, there is comfort in knowing, even sometimes if it is hard to hear.

In terms of blood results and status, my dad is slightly anemic, which is definitely contributing to his fatigue, so they prescribed Procrit to help. As for feeding/nutrition, the calorie count was increased and Dr. Shambaugh encouraged adding other things as well (protein drinks, etc.). He has some minimal hair loss - just thinning from the outside corners of his mouth. The doctor informed him, to his surprise, that this has nothing to do with the chemo - it is from radiation; and it is only expected to be minimal. *fingers crossed*