Treatment effect complications?

kashrel · Regular Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Posts: 25

Hi

My dad is still around - although with no real quality of life. After thinking he was going in early June, he has hung around till now. Drs say that there has been no significant growth of the tumour and all his problems are an effect of the treatment. Apparently some people do not react well to the Radiotherpy/temodol treatment regime and he has been one of them.

His age (66) and the fact that he has a butterfly tumour ( both right and left frontal lobes) indicate a worse prognosis for this disease.

Diagnosis 9th March, Surgery 10th March, Treatment started end March, completed Mid May. Since finishing his treatment he has had a seizure, developed pnemonia twice, had a kidney infection,now has clots on the lungs and lots of clots in his legs, has diabetes from the steroids, and staph infection which they cannot find the location of. Besides all of this, he has lost alot of his cognition and all of his mobility. His decline in the last 5 weeks has been rapid.

Has anyone had any similar experiences as a result of treatment, or is he one of the unlucky few?

Please write if you have heard of this before?

Thanks
Karen
_________________
Karen
Melbourne

brainman

I have heard of it way too many times, Karen! Sad

Unfortunately, one of the things chemo and steroids can do is decrease your immunity. I have a chronic sinus infection that became much worse while I was on chemotherapy in 1992. In fact, they had to stop the chemo 3 months earlier than planned because I had been hospitalized twice for pneumonia.

My father also had problems with chemotherapy. He had leukemia so I guess infections should be expected. He eventually died because of a staph infection.

My mother died because of a GBM. It was inoperable and by the time it was diagnosed it had spread over a large part of her brain. She opted for no treatment and died peacefully within 2 months of diagnosis.

I often wonder which of us made the "right" choice. But then I realize that each of us made the "right" choice. I am glad that each of us had a chance to 1. Understand our condition and prognosis and 2. State our own wishes.

I am so sorry to hear how badly your father has responded to his treatment! I know you said that he has lost a lot of his cognition and mobility. Is he at home? If so, do he have help for a hospice?

Karen, I will continue to hold you and your father in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

ksplat · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject: re yr Dad

Dear Karen, So sorry to hear about your Dad's poor condition. It must be sooo hard for you to watch his deterioration. My brother-Mark who lives on the GC, Qld, has deteriorated badly since his diagnosis in Feb 07. Only a small tumour in comparison to others but on his brain stem & grew aggressively initially. Whilst doing temodal & radiotherapy he was experiencing severe seizures & was admitted to hospital twice from Grand mal seizures. They stopped chemo & radio after 4.5 wks & told him they could only treat the seizures. We were certain that was the end for him. Surgeon debulked the tumour in May & surgery left him with disability. No movement on L side & now in a wheelchair. Cognition is not affected just mobility. He has a fantastic sense of humour which has been a great comfort to him & our family. He went home from hosp after 7wks! Now doing rehab 2 times wk & we pray he will regain some mobility. Darling wife-Kath looking after him @ home. He's very down about not being able to walk or do most things for himself....but he's still with us! Thank God! Last MRI in Jun was clear of tumour. A bloody miracle! He's back on temodal, not having seizures next MRI in a couple of weeks. My prayers & thoughts with your Dad & family. It's sooo sad :cry: Mark had numerous infections in hospital, chest, kidney & clot in his leg. He has overcome these & again we thank God.
Is your Dad at home? I know you will offer him & your family love & support. I hope you can gain strength from your friends on this forum. We are all supporting you & your family on this torrid journey. Blessings & praying for you. Cheers Aussie Angie.
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle,, 47 years young.
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

kashrel · Regular Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Posts: 25

Thanks Angie and Jim for your responses. In answer to your question Jim, My dad has spent only 4 weeks at home since diagnosis 4 months ago! It has been too hard to care for him at home. He is currently in hospital.

Amazingly, he had a very clear day last week Thursday and was very lucid ( something we have not seen for a while). He said that he does not want anymore treatment and that he is ready to die. He told us he wants to be cremated and have his ashes scatterred in Africa ( where he was born). He gave us the exact spot he wants this done. This has been so amazing to have him say what he wants. I feel that so much of this time he has just gone along with the Drs recommendations and not played an active role in his treatment ( this is very difficult with damage to the frontal lobes I know). He looks so much calmer and more relaxed since telling us this. I really believe that he is already transitioning.

I imagine that with this decision he will be transferred to a hospice this week. I am very very sad, but I am also incredibly relieved.

Thanks for all the support, it is so wonderful to be able to drop into this site.

Warm regards
Karen
Melbourne
_________________
Karen
Melbourne

brainman

Karen, I am glad that your father had a chance to express his wishes! His death will be hard regardless, however, knowing that he was in control will make it somewhat easier to accept. I know that was the case with both of my parents.

I will continue to hold you and your father in my thoughts and my prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

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