Hello... quick history... my dad started treatment for StageIV SCC (tonsil) on September 8th. He gets chemo one day a week and was able to complete 5 weeks of radiation (out of 8). He was doing OK - with normal side effects, especially nausea. THEN last Monday I took him for chemo and the nurse took one look at him and knew there was trouble. He was hospitalized with low WBC count, very bad mouth infections, and a 102 fever. Treatment was suspended.

Finally in the last couple days things were looking better and he was suppose to be released tomorrow (Tues.) Then things took a turn for the worst...

At eleven this morning his radiation resumed... he was doing fine (a little nauseous) until about 5 PM - he could not breathe and was trembling... turns out his heartbeat was extremely high and fever spiked again (102), also his body has swelling. They have him on oxygen and have done another chest x-ray as well as blood cultures.

Has anyone else experienced this or know of someone who has? What scares me, is that the doctors and nurses seem to be at a lose as to why he is having all these problems. (We had other problems prior to this with regards drug reactions). I'm worried he will not be able to make it through the remaining 3 weeks of treatment! He just turned 68 last week and was in great health (besides the cancer dx)before this treatment started. My 28 yr. old boyfriend could not keep up with him on the golf course! He has never been sick and would have thought his good condition prior to treatment would have made it a little easier for him. I guess I was wrong... this can knock anyone regardless. Sorry for rambling... I (we) just do not know what is going wrong. Thanks for listening!

Diana