Guest sandra.sobotka Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Friends, My Dad (78) passed away on July 10, 2004 after a brave and valliant fight to survive stage 4 lung cancer. He had just finished his whole brain radiation treatments on July 6th and we were so happy that he seemed to make it through without any major problems. However, one side effect of Decadron (a steroid required when you have metastatis to the brain) is that it makes your legs, hips and arms weak. Thus, on Tuesday (July 6th - - Dad's last treatment) the radiologist told us that Dad's weakness was due to the steriod and that his strength should slowly improve after being weaned off the steriod. The very next day Dad got much weaker and Thursday was worse. We assumed it was still the decadron and overall tiredness from radiation treatments catching up with Dad, but we were still relieved he was going to see the oncologist on Friday to cofirm. Unfortunately, we ended up in the hospital that day and Dad did not return home. WARNING - - if your weakness goes from bad to worse (sudden) this is NOT the Decadron, but most likely infection. Go directly to the hospital. We did not know this and by the time we took Dad to the hospital on Friday morning his infection had reached his blood stream. They tried giving him antibotics, plateletts and neupagen (spelling?), but it was too late. One question for those who have had brain radiation treatements. Did your radiologist check your blood counts during treatment? My Dad's radiologist did not, but it seems like a very important part of this type of treatment and I would highly recommend it for anyone else needing radiation treatments in the future. Take care and God Bless, Sandy Loving Daughter of Eugene, at peace July 10, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jana_W Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Sandy, I am so, so, sorry for your loss. Wishing you strength to help you with this most difficult of things to get through. You are not alone, so please stick around and let us know how you and your family are going. Sending you love Jana xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenl Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Sandy, I am so sorry to read this news. Thinking of you and your family. Love, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Please except my condolences on the passing of your father Sandy. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Sandy, I am so very, very sorry for your loss. Am sending you my most sincere sympathy. Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Sandy, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Please stick around while you are healing, even if you are just "absorbing" posts and not responding. Lean on us, as a collective, we're a pretty tough bunch! Again, so sorry. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Sandy, So very sorry to hear about your dad. My prayers are with both of you. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Sandy, Condolences and prayers for you family. I too was on Decadron for a brain met. No blood tests were done. I didn't have WBR, I had surgery to remove tumor and Stereotactic Radiation (one treatment.) It does zap your energy, I am still recovering from the fatigue. The decadron is awful, I was on 3mg per day max and had to wean myself off, doctor's didn't help. I wouldn't let doctors give me a higher dose, I read what it does to a person, it is a brutal drug. The doctor's don't tell you the side effects... God Bless, prayers and hugs, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Sandy-- I am so sorry to read about your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Melinda (and Geoff) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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