herzhey Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Hello! I am new on this website and I'm happy that I found it. My father is 62 yrs old and its already late when we found out that he has lung carcinoma(stage 4) on Feb 2005.He is not smoking and the doctor could not trace where it started. His two organs are now affected -- lungs and bones. I could feel the pain when I see him crying because of the pain on his bones. He could feel more of the pain on his bones than his lungs. He just started taking Iressa and it is very expensive on Philippine peso. He is also getting his cobalt treatment daily for 24 sessions. I would be very happy if there is anyone out there who could give me suggestions so I could help my father. Thank you ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Maybe ask the doctor for some pain medication for him. cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Welcome, we have no help to offer, just prayers and support for your father. Best Brian and Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 To help your dad, be there for him. If you can go to the doctors with him , and ask questions. If he is not taking pain medication, get the doctor to give him some. There is no reason he has to suffer. One the initial shock wears off and he starts his treatments, he will feel better. Keep us posted. Sorry you had to come here. But we are a great qroup who will give you support and will send prayers. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed70 Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Welcome! For sure ask for pain meds! They help so much. God Bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Welcome here. I also agree -- your dad needs pain medication -- bone pain is very excruciating. My wife had 5 bone mets over her body when diagnosed and is now on daily morphine since her spine was damaged. She has had other bone tumors since that have caused pain, and she has had radiation for that as well as the chemo. My prayers are with you. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie221 Posted July 10, 2005 Share Posted July 10, 2005 Hola! Habla espanol? Yo hablo espanol pero un poquito solamente. Lo siento por tu padre y usted. Now, English. I found this information on the internet. It is a little old, but if you print it out and take it to your father's doctor maybe it will help. Leslie Cancer Pain Relief: A Primary Health Care Issue in the Philippines Over the last 7 years, the Philippines has established a program to make cancer pain relief a reality in the Western Pacific Region. The program follows the top-to-bottom approach recommended by the WHO which includes the establishment of government policy, measures to improve availability of oral morphine and continuing professional education. In this country of 66 million people spread over more than 7,000 islands, cancer is the third most frequent disease after communicable and cardiovascular illnesses. It is estimated that 1 of every 1000 Filipino will get cancer and that 200,000 Filipinos are suffering from cancer pain every year.1 Dr. Adriano Laudico, a leader in the fight against cancer and pain in the Western Pacific Region, discusses here the ingredients which are contributing to the success of the Filipino program: In the Philippines, we used the WHO guidelines to create our national policy on cancer pain relief in 1990, and we adapted the WHO guidelines to our circumstances. The policy endorses a two-step [instead of the traditional three-step] analgesic ladder for pain control. It consists of using nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) around the clock for patients reporting mild to moderate pain in step 1. Morphine sulfate tablets are used for the second step.2 In bypassing weak opioids, we were able to focus more resources on making morphine tablets accessible and acceptable. In 1993, and again in 1994, Dr. Flavier, Secretary of Health, reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Philippines Cancer Control Program and enlisted the active support of other influential groups such as the Philippine College of Surgeons, a professional organization, and the Philippine Cancer Society, a private organization. By building consensus and partnership between the government, health professional organizations and universities, we can utilize our resources more wisely and minimize costs. The active support of the WHO Cancer Unit and of WHO advisers from the Collaborating Centers was crucial to make pain relief a major component of the Philippine Cancer Control Program. Regulations concerning the medical use of opioids were restrictive: only in Manila could physicians obtain prescription forms or purchase morphine. New rules decentralize the procedures by allowing regional health directors to approve the purchase of prescription forms and allowing hospital pharmacists to dispense opioids. Immediate release morphine tablets are available in 10, 20, 30 and 50 mg and sustained release morphine sulfate tablets in 10, 20, 30, 60 and 100 mg. While almost no morphine was consumed between 1979 and 1989, consumption rose from 4 kg in 1992 to 18 kg in 1993.3 The national policy specifies that morphine tablets be available for indigent patients and the government has allocated resources to purchase opioids. The ministry of healthUs expenditures for morphine sulfate tablets have grown from US $7,519 in 1991 to $155,282 in 1994, a measurable indicator of progress. Drug distribution remains a barrier to morphine availability, however, because pharmaceutical companies do not have an efficient national distribution network: we have occasions when a hospital runs out of morphine and our system cannot respond quickly. We clearly need a better infrastructure to monitor needs and solve problems in the field. All of our smaller hospitals are under the control of local authorities, so mayors and governors can play an important role in expanding the program to the grass-root level. We are also working to develop our research efforts in order to use research results in professional education and public information. The Department of Science and Technology has recently approved funding for two studies to start in January 1996. One will assess the current status of cancer pain and its management in several hospitals in Metro Manila. The other will examine the practice of cancer pain management among general practitioners and specialist physicians in the country. Adriano V. Laudico, MD, is Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of the Philippines Manila and President of the Surgical Oncology Society of the Philippines. Dr. Laudico can be contacted at the Philippine College of Surgeons, PCS Building, 992 EDSA, Quezon City, Philippines. Fax: 632-97-22-97. References 1. Department of Health, Philippines and Philippine College of Surgeons. Cancer Treatment Guidelines. Second Edition. PCS Scientific Publication No. 6, Manila: Department of Health, 1994 [monograph] 2. Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines and Philippine College of Surgeons. Guidelines on Cancer Pain Relief, 1991 [monograph] 3. International Narcotics Control Board. Narcotic Drugs. Estimated World Requirements for 1995. Statistics for 1993. Vienna: International Narcotics Control Board, 1994. Development of Cancer Pain and Palliative Care in the Philippines 1988: Dr. Fumikazu Takeda (Saitama, Japan) visits Department of Health as WHO consultant on cancer pain relief. 1989: Noreen Teoh (WHO-Geneva) assists in educating potential national leaders. April 1990: Dr. Bengzon, Secretary of Health, issues the Philippine Cancer Control Program; pain relief is part of the new government policy. 1991: The Department of Health-Philippines Cancer Control Program publishes "Guidelines on Cancer Pain Relief." 1991: The Philippine Cancer Society -- Patient Outreach Service begins pilot project on cancer palliative home care. 1992: Dr. Kathleen Foley (WHO Collaborating Center, New York City) encourages oncologists, surgeons and pain specialists in Manila to make cancer pain relief a priority. 1992: The Philippine College of Surgeons convenes a workshop on cancer pain relief and palliative care. 1993: Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim sets up a cancer pain and palliative care ward at Ospital Ng Maynila. March 1993: The Philippine College of Surgeons and the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians begin cancer seminars nationwide to bring the WHO method to community-based health professionals. 1994: The Department of Health and the Philippine College of Surgeons publish "Cancer Treatment Guidelines, 2nd edition." 1994: The Philippine Cancer Control Program and the Philippine Cancer Society -- Patient Outreach Service publish "Caring at Home," a booklet for caregivers at home. 1995: The city of Manila sets up three-day seminars to train all municipal health professionals in the principles of cancer pain and palliative care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted July 10, 2005 Share Posted July 10, 2005 I am sorry your father is experiencing such pain. It looks like Leslie gave you some good information. Go to see the doctor with your father and ask for pain meds. I hope the treatment knocks the cancer back for him. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandie Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I am so sorry that your father has to go thru this. He does not have to suffer with that pain,ask the doctors for meds for the pain. I hope his treatments will do good for him. Bless you ,my prayers sre also for you! Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I hope your dad is getting some relied. continuing prayers, here. xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted July 16, 2005 Share Posted July 16, 2005 I just wanted to add my welcome to the board to the others that have already posted. Their advice is sound -- and I hope that you can get your father that pain relief right away. Where do you live in the Philippines? I lived there when I was a teenager, in Manila, for two years == but that was many, many years ago -- and went to the American International School -- back then just the American School. Let us know what the doctor says and how your father is doing. Best, Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesbean Posted August 20, 2005 Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hi family, I was searching for members from the Philippines and I came across this thread. I have messaged Herzhey privately a few days back and she has responded with the message quoted below. I hope she doesn't mind that I posted it here. Let us offer prayers and caring thoughts for her dad. Frances Hi there,I am so sorry. It's been a while since I posted. I forgot my password and username, new with this stuff. Also, don't know how to get back where I post my message and how to reply. Anyway, good thing I received a private message from you. My father is very ill now. The doctor said that he has 2 weeks left the most. He is confined now in the hospital. He keeps on crying and can't get some sleep. He's saying that his body is in pain and we had to do some massage to ease the pain. Please extend my deepest gratitued to all those who replied to my post and to all those who pray for my dad. I apologize, I don't know how to get back to my post so I can reply and see the replies of the others. Thank you very much to you as well. I may not be able to post a message since I am staying in the hospital with my mom and my father. Hope to hear from you and the others on my mailbox - dizonCQ@aol.com Thanks again. I appreciate all your kindness and all the people on the board. Herzhey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie221 Posted August 20, 2005 Share Posted August 20, 2005 Thanks Frances. That's sad news, isn't it? I'll send her an email. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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