I am really thankful that I have found this site. As I have indicated over the last few days that I have been on, my dad is having major difficulty, in part/mostly, with the feeling of broken glass in his throat area. Is there anyone out there who has been through this experience that would not mind speaking with my father about their experience and sort of coaching his along the way. Truthfully speaking, he has had 13 treatments (was not able to do today because he is sick (throwing up/earache) and I think he needs encouragement from others who have been through this experience to continue going on with the radiation treatment. It is a lot on me because I am constantly encouring him and my mom, too, because she is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. It is really draining. And they are both right, I don't understand. So if anyone can help with a phone call, (dad not computer savvy) I would appreciate it.
Thanks.

Geo,
His pain meds are pretty lightweight. They might work for a toothache but they simply not adequate pain management for his condition. He has a basic patient right to better pain management and there are guidelines in the NCCN Oncology Practice Guidelines, link located on the main pages, for adult cancer pain management. When describing his pain levels to the doctor (typically the MO is the best choice for pain management) use the 0-10 scale with 10 being "unbearable" pain.

Oh he needs more meds. It took my husband a few weeks to get use to the fentnayl patch but it was worth the difficulty.

My husband also got in a habit of taking anti nausea pills when he first started to wake up so that he would get a jump on that.

The nausea meds he has desolve in your mouth so that you dont have to swollow or deal with the peg.

Make sure you just keep him focused on today and dont worry about tomorrow. If he can just go to rad today and dont worry about tomorrow. We made my husbands treatments in the afternoon because mornings were so hard on him.

I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time. I dont know what I would do with two patients! I am sure someone with more experience with his cancer will offer to talk to him.

Many prayers to you and your family
Cindy

Thank you. My father is a christian so he pray a lot. That is what seems to hold us together.

Again, if there is anyone out there that has had the same or similiar treatment who would be willing to speak with my dad I would appreciate it. He was so relieved to know that others have felt the feeling of glass in there throat. One person described it as men slashing. This made him feel like hey I am not losing it. Again, I am sure someone could encourage my dad to continue on with this radiation. I can only do so much because, like he said, I don't know (nor do I want to) how it feels. By the way, he also take activan .5mg before undergoing radiation treatment. My e-mail is [email protected] thanks.

Hi GEO,

Make sure Radiologist or Surgeon is aware of his pain. Up his meds. Now!! Do not be afraid of speaking out. Part of what he may be feeling is DRY MOUTH or Throat. So get some of the Dry mouth meds. like Oral Balance Gel, and Oral Balance Moisturizer, they are by Biotene. (over the counter) Keep an eye out for Thrush. Which is very painful. Will need Meds. for that to be cleared up. Make sure your Dr. Checks your Dad for that.

Hope some of this will help you.
Take care..
Diane

Hi, Geo, Hope you are printing the above out for your Dad to read. He is NOT getting enough pain medication. The pain he is feeling is typical for the radiation he is receiving. And if he feels like all he wants to do is sleep, that is typical also. This pain is likely to get much worse so get the Docs and nurses involved now! Amy

Thanks again. They added an extended release oxcodone HCL to his pain med. If needed, this week, they will add the Fenyl patch(I think that is how it is spelled).

Life has been crazy. Have not been on here in a while but things are going well for my dad. He is slated to finish radiation this Wednesday, April 23. Thank God. He has been swiched to the fenatyl patch and things for the most part are coming along.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Just be prepared for the next 3 to 4 weeks as most of us suffered the worst then.