Hi People,

My father is taking electron beam radaition and chemotheraphy now. Please let me know about side-eefects and nutrition care I need to take?

Also, I was not sure what does skin metastasis nodule mean? Does it mean that it has affected skin or metastasis is in skin but origin is somewhere else?

My father has his tongue swollen. He told doctor about it but doctor did not do anything except saying that after chemotheraphy that will heal on its own. Do we need to take another opinion for it?

Your responses are highly appreciated. Waiting to hear from you.

THanks for your time.

Krishna

Krishna, if your father has good nurses in the radiation department and chemo department, you should be able to get a list of most important things to do for him day by day.[and things to watch out for] Put that information in writing so you will have it close to you when you need it. I would say the MOST important things are to keep liquids and nutrition in him and to watch for signs of fever. Here are things I check daily and write down: John's blood pressure 2x a day, and temperature, especially if he feels a little warm. We record all his fluids, food intake and medications on a daily chart. That way you have a record if you need to ask the Docs about something new that is bothering him. Keeping good daily records is important and he won't feel like doing it, so someone else needs to. If you could get him to write a little every day about how he is feeling, that would be helpful too [as a reference] Try to get a direct phone # for someone -Dr. or nurse- that you can call in case of an emergency. You can always post questions here for help in making him more comfortable and ways to relieve your stress. Best wishes to you. Amy

Hello Guys,

I have just been to India to see my father. He has completed Electron Beam Radiations second time along with 60mg of taxol weekly once. His conditon after radiation has not improved and he is in lot of pain.

I met doctors and they are not giving us hope. They say that extensive chemo at this stage would have more disadvantages than benefits. Instead they are recommending Immunotheraphy. They suggested drug named Biomab (By Biocon Company which is equivalent of Erbitux (Mon-clone Antibody). Have anyone heard about this drug Biomab or taking it?

They say that this is a very advanced stage and since it recurred within 6 months, it is extensively spreading and may be terminal. THis is shocking for us. Is this it? IS there no treatment avialable now? What should we do to fight this horrible diesease?

Anybody who is having similar issue like skin nodules after treatment, please let me know what shd we do now?

Someone told me about Johnwayne hospitals clinical trial. Is there any alternative medicine that ppl are using that helped? Kindly pour in your opinions and thoughts.

Thanks,

Krishna

Brain,

Shd my thread be in currently under treatment section. I do not get many replies here. Please reply.

Thanks.

Krishna

Krishna
I suspect that the minimal replies are due to there not being a great deal anyone here may be able to offer you in any sort of positive way. Your Dad's Doctors are the only ones with a true picture of what is happening with your Dad.

Clinical trials are occuring in a number of different places, for a number of different drugs. I understand and empathize the desperation and grasping for any positive things, and I enourage you to keep positive thoughts, but the logistics involved in getting your Father from India, into the U.S. and then onto a clinical trial would be complex and time consuming. It may simply be time that he does not have.

You and your Dad are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish I had a more positive message for you
Wayne

Krishna, I am sorry to read about your Dad, but know you and he are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Carol

Krishna, I can share that my husband is on Erbitux and it did shrink a large tumor on his face, [after athe regular chemo failed to do anything]. If Biomab is indeed the same, iat might give him some relief for awhile-note: Erbitux does not kill the tumores-just slows them down- and there are side effects to deal with. Youar family is in a very tough situation right now and I'm sorry. Amy

Thanks Amy, Gary and others for your replies.

Amy, Till now Biomab had not shown any visual response like shringking of tumor. Side effects were difficulty in breathing due to sticky mucus. Broncospasm (strider) was the term. So doctors gave him some antiboitics for it. Next does of Biomab was halted because of this.

Still he has a PEG tube through which we are giving liquid diet. Main problems for him at present are tongue hitting teeth (due to tumor), Pain in neck region (due to nodules) and sleeplessness (due to mucus and diffculty in breathing). Anything u suggest to reduce these pains, you be highly appreciated.

Also, for your husband, how is WBC and platelet count after Erbitux dose? For my father it increased beyonf normal range, so kind of worried.

Thanks everybody who spend their valuable time replying to my post. Your replies help a lot.

Krishna, My husband has been on Erbitux [weekly injection] since July of this year, with the exception of 3 weeks before and after an outpatient surgery. He has had little trouble with WBC, but does get Procrit on occasion. Is his pain medication at the max? It does seem like they could make him more comfortable. Can he get a bedside suction machine ? It helps alot with the mucous. I know you wish you could be there. This must be very hard for you and your family. Amy

Hi Friends,

My fahter is having a lot of difficulty in breathing since past one week. Due to this he is not able to sleep at all. Doctors say that it is "Bronchospasm" strider. He is given some antiboitics right now, but in case of emergency doctors say that treachetomy will be needed.

Please advice me wheat this means? Anybody who went through similar problem please help.

Krishna