1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Radiation side effects causing my father to want to stop treatment

Posted by hei @hei, Aug 15, 2022

Hola a todos. Una pregunta a quien pueda ayudar. Mi padre comenzó con las radiaciones hace dos semanas. Con frecuencias De lunes a viernes. Ya empezaron sus efectos secundarios, los cuales el dice que comer algo es como si estuviera tragando candela, y no tiene nada de apetito. Y se siente toda esa zona del cuello con mucha sensación como si estuviera quemada. El también padece de gastritis y tiene gastritis porque a penas puede comer. Por esas razones el ha decidido que no quiere darse más radiaciones, eran un total de 25, le faltan 3 semanas. Yo no sé qué hacer para convencerlo ni mi familia, tampoco que tiene que ser fuerte y terminar con todas las sesiones. Yo se que esto es algo muy difícil de decirle a alguien que tiene que ser fuerte. Pero que otra cosa podría hacer? . Ayuda!! Yo quiero que el se cure y no pierda lo que ya emos avanzado con su enfermedad.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 15, 2022

Lo siento para las dificiles de su padre.

Where is your father's cancer located? If it is in his head or neck, these side effects are totally typical. Please know that daily radiation causes a person to feel very tired, which can cause depression and the desire to stop treatment.

Perhaps you can convince him to try a soothing liquid such as horchata or a liquid meal like Ensure? This would provide nutrition without being so hard to swallow. If he felt a little better, he might be willing to go on with radiation.

Can you speak to his doctors and ask them to tell the family how important it is to finish all treatments?
Sue

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 15, 2022

Welcome @hei. I can understand that this is difficult and that you want your father to do everything to get better. I'm tagging other head and neck cancer patients like @alpaca @srm @hrhwilliam @hnc67 @jano and others who have experience with radiation and can offer their tips and stories.

@hei, has your father consulted with an oncology nutritionist or speech pathologist? Nutritionist that work with cancer patients can help your father find foods that he can tolerate with radiation and gastritis. Speech pathologist can help with swallowing issues.

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srm | @srm | Aug 15, 2022

Hi @hei
Have any of the medical staff suggested a feeding tube?
I was terrified about the possibility of needing a feeding tube at some point. I was determined to avoid such. As a result I underwent a lot of undue suffering. I suffered until treatment number 26 of 33 when I could no longer swallow anything and had no choice. My life instantly became easier the minute they put the feeding tube in. I only wish I would have had the feeding tube much sooner. I don’t know why I was so afraid of it. As mentioned, it made my life easier and if I were to do it over I would have insisted on a feeding tube after about 10 rounds of radiation. If it is an option for your father I highly recommend getting it as soon as possible.

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1 reply
hei | @hei | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Lo siento para las dificiles de su padre. Where is your father's cancer located? If it..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Lo siento para las dificiles de su padre.

Where is your father's cancer located? If it is in his head or neck, these side effects are totally typical. Please know that daily radiation causes a person to feel very tired, which can cause depression and the desire to stop treatment.

Perhaps you can convince him to try a soothing liquid such as horchata or a liquid meal like Ensure? This would provide nutrition without being so hard to swallow. If he felt a little better, he might be willing to go on with radiation.

Can you speak to his doctors and ask them to tell the family how important it is to finish all treatments?
Sue

Jump to this post

Hi @sueinmn
He had lymph node cancer in the neck.
I really hope that God helps him and gives him the strength to continue and not give up. he lives in another country where many things are missing. So I've been providing him with whatever he needs. I will send him urgently what you are suggesting to see if that helps him and he continues. Thank you so much!! 🙂

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Jano | @jano | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @srm "Hi @hei Have any of the medical staff suggested a feeding tube? I was terrified about..." + (show)
@srm

Hi @hei
Have any of the medical staff suggested a feeding tube?
I was terrified about the possibility of needing a feeding tube at some point. I was determined to avoid such. As a result I underwent a lot of undue suffering. I suffered until treatment number 26 of 33 when I could no longer swallow anything and had no choice. My life instantly became easier the minute they put the feeding tube in. I only wish I would have had the feeding tube much sooner. I don’t know why I was so afraid of it. As mentioned, it made my life easier and if I were to do it over I would have insisted on a feeding tube after about 10 rounds of radiation. If it is an option for your father I highly recommend getting it as soon as possible.

Jump to this post

Exactly my thoughts!
It was rough but I got through it. Hoping you’re doing well. Good luck to all going through the same..

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Aug 22, 2022

You can ask the radiation oncologist for a prescription for Magic Mouthwash which is mixed up at a pharmacy and helps to sooth the swallowing and mouth pain. I don't remember all the ingredients but I believe it was maalox and benadryl and another ingredient. It helped me a lot with the oral sores during radiation. Many neck patients use a feeding tube and that would relieve him from having to eat and swallow. Speak with the nurses and doctor for help.
Good luck to him and all who care for him.

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