My father is just starting week 5 of treatment. For the last week he has had a low temp (99-101). Over the weekend, he began spiking 102.5. Last night he went to the MDA ER and they admitted him. Thought they saw pneumonia in the right lung. This morning, they think there is no pneumonia. However, they will keep him in the hospital for 2 days on IV antibiotics.

He is going to continue radiation. He was scheduled for Erbitux today; however, I don't know if they will keep that appt or change the treatment plan.

He has no problem swallowing. His problems are the mouth sores. It is very difficult to even close his mouth now. They had started him on Fentanyl 12.5mg, although I believe they have now moved him up to 25mg.

Up until now, he could manage making sure he was doing all of his exercises, eating and drinking the right amount and being on top of all of his meds. Now, we are taking on those tasks to make sure these things are tracked and taken care of, as he is more tired and seems more confused.

He knows this is part of the process and intellectually, knows it is going to get harder before it gets worse. He feels defeated and having to be admitted to the hospital made it worse. He has kept his weight up so far, and is now drinking 5 Carnation VHCs a day. I am thankful he's keeping the weight on.

Last treatment day is still scheduled for next Friday (3/11)!

Suzee - I'm so glad your father has you for his weekend caregiver and cheer-er up-er person! The emotions can be pretty tough to deal with and it is so good he has you! He doesn't have too many more tx to go and as you noted, it could get harder before it gets better. But it does get better! And there are some good things to keep in mind, too - like his weight has been good so far and he is at a good place for getting some excellent care. I'm so glad you found this OCF forum! When my son was going thru treatment, he really got depressed, and very, very tired, sleeping most of the time - so whatever I found on this forum that I thought would make him feel better, I would print it out for him to see when he woke up, and it did help so much! Stay in touch, and let us know what's happening. Things will get better!

Suzee,
Tell your dad I'm cheering him on. We all have some different patterns of reactions, probably depending on how much radiation where, what kind of chemo, etc. While it is true I did not have major problems by week 5, there was a heck of a difference for me between weeks 5 & 6. While it may well get worse for your dad, perhaps it won't be that much worse--maybe it will, but how can one say for certain on an individual basis?

I just stopped by waiting area A to get a prescription for my neck--it's awful now. I thought of you and your dad when I went over there. Never ran into either of you, but I feel like I know you.

Best,
Anne

Week five? He's doing so well - I know it's a disappointment to be stuckmin the hospital but he's only got one more week to go. He can do it and you sound like an amazing caregiver. At this point it's thursday - he's only likely got today and tomorrow. Best of luck - and take care.

My dad was released from the hospital today after his second radiation treatment of the day. I hear he's up and walking around at the condo - yipee!

In the end, they felt there was no pneumonia; although they must think it was something. He was on IV antibiotics for 3 days and he is now on Augmentin and a Z Pack for the next 10 days. He has a cough that they've prescribed Hycodan for.

The speech pathologist came in yesterday and today to evaluate and said he was still swallowing well. The doctor was asking him to consider a PEG since he still has a week of treatment and then several weeks following where swallowing could be an issue. My father told them he felt the fentanyl (25mg), hydrocodone, and magic mouthwash were allowing him to drink his Carnation VHCs and he felt he could get by without the PEG. I hope he does not regret his position. He gained 1/2 pound this week, and is 10-12 pounds over his ideal weight at this point (he packed on the weight before treatment, in anticipation of the weight loss). The doctor told him to ramp up the fentanyl another 12.5mg if the pain gets worse.

He is looking forward to leaving Houston and recuperating at home. He is hoping to leave Houston on the 27th of March, which will be two weeks after his last radiation session. He has 7 treatments left....

Thank you all for your encouraging words.

Hey Suzee, so glad to hear your Dad is doing better today! I am 4 weeks past my final radiation treatment but I do remember feeling exactly the same way your Dad seems to be feeling. This treatment can shake a person right off their foundation! I recall thinking things would never get better - amazingly enough - they do! The body has an amazing way of recovering from trauma - it will happen and he will feel like himself again!

Thinking of your Dad as he moves through the countdown!