lovingdaughter1990 Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 hello everyone hope all is well!! My dad has been diagnosed with Invasive squamous cell carcinoma moderately differentiated. (whatever that means!?!?) he has started radiation and just had his second treatment today. He is sleeping alot and hardly eating at this point. He has lost 60lbs since September and getting him to eat has become more and more difficult as he says all good tastes terrible. He was diagnosed when he had a cough that wouldn't go away and eventually his back was hurting and nothing helped. Our GP said he had spine mets and thats why he has so much pain but when the radiology oncologist told him what his treatment was gonna be he said the pain seems to be due to the tumour pressing!?!? so things have still been unclear as to whats happening and if it has spread. they are currently treating his lung tumour with the radiation and not the spine 🤷🏼♀️ The lung specialist said they are looking at starting chemo and immunotherapy soon as well. hope for a more positive 2023! Justin1970 and Izzy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I'm glad to hear that your father's treatment has started. Treatments can often be very tough on the patient and I've heard many folks here talk about adding a "Palliative Care Specialist" to the team. This person would monitor the treatment and help relieve side-effects that can often happen during the treatment course. Please speak to the lead physician about this. I've experienced a change in taste and it can be a terrible symptom to deal with. Please keep us updated. Lou Justin1970 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilyMir Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Have you tried feeding him Ensure drinks, ice cream? I am not sure why things taste terrible if he is not on any medications but maybe radiation is affecting his appetite? Maybe those who had radiation can opine. Also check with a counsellor to see if your dad has serious depression that is stopping him from eating. Hope he gets better soon! Scruboak, Justin1970 and LouT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovingdaughter1990 Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 On 1/12/2023 at 1:33 PM, LilyMir said: Have you tried feeding him Ensure drinks, ice cream? I am not sure why things taste terrible if he is not on any medications but maybe radiation is affecting his appetite? Maybe those who had radiation can opine. Also check with a counsellor to see if your dad has serious depression that is stopping him from eating. Hope he gets better soon! Hi Lily!! He has been complaining of food tasting horrible and eating less and less things since his back pain started about 4 months ago when he started popping tylenol like candy for the pain. He was finally put on actual pain killers and the eating has become less and less… he finally would only “eat” liquids (boost or smoothies and soups) but still says its hard to get down. He stopped eating completely for 2 days after starting radiation and then his blood pressure was so low the internal medicine dr told him he needs to eat or he will be hospitalized. i hate to say it but by the way he is looking i an losing faith that he will even make it to chemo/ immunotherapy treatment. 😔 Justin1970, Izzy, LilyMir and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin1970 Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Hi I hope your dad starts feeling better soon, I had some taste differences when I was on chemotherapy and did lose some weight but it is important for him to try and eat even just the things he wants I know it's difficult but it really is important, wishing you all the best Take care Justin lovingdaughter1990, Izzy and LouT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy M2 Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 Definitely get a palliative care specialist on the team. That's the first thing I'd do if I needed radiation again. When I had severe esophagitis from chest radiation, a feeding tube was suggested by my medical oncologist's NP. But my radiation oncologist's team warned me against it, and I'm sorry I listened to them because not being able to eat or drink caused some really serious complications. Be cautious about Tylenol, excessive dosages can cause liver damage. A palliative care doctor can prescribe a more effective pain medication. Mine prescribed methadone for my severe pain, and when I started targeted therapy, she switched me to a Fentanyl patch. Both worked well. Heavy-duty pain needs heavy-duty medication. BridgetO and LouT 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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