We are having reservations about my dad undergoing chemo and radiation treatments after he has just had his tumor removed and it was diagnosed as Level 4 GBM. When you put the quality of life factor into the mix, is it wise to have the treatments and live a few measley extra months; possibly ill from the treatment. Or is it better to not have the treatments and live the short remaing months feeling healthier. If you have delt with either case please give me your thoughts and expierences so that we can have a "personal expierence opinion."
2007-03-21 09:21:45 · 4 answers · asked by R♥bin 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
It depends on what your doctor recommends....and the health of your dad. If he wants to live the rest of his life at home, let him. If he wants the treatments, let him decide. Ask him what he wants.
We brought my mom home from the hospital after her tumor was removed. She was with her family....in her own house for 4 months. Hospice was wonderful!!!! When mom left us, she was surrounded by her kids and grand kids. I don't think she would have wanted it any other way.
2007-03-21 11:30:04 · answer #1 · answered by how_bout 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have put in a good question. What I have seen, though, is that the treatments, in this case chemoradiation -does not make people feel terribly ill and they are not necessarily feeling well without them.
Temodar is mostly very well tolerated.Radiation also, if the tumor was resected: meaning there is a resection cavity where the inevitable swelling will go. If there was only a biopsy, some will feel ill after end of radiation -first but then get much better, when the tumor shrinks.Unfortunately not always, though.
Some people feel very ill -and it turned out it was the steroids causing the problems(steroids=dexamethasone), not the radiation or chemo. Steroids are used to control the swelling. There is the possibility of starting the treatment and interrupting it, if it does not feel good.
Many times GBM patients will feel better after the treatment, not worse.
I do hope you will have the possibility to talk with a Neuro-oncologist who will see the scans and have seen your father -and you can ask:what symptoms will the radiation produce -if it will?what about the medications?what will most likely happen, if the tumor is not treated. Usually you need somebody with experience to give you this information -and I have not always found the Neurosurgeons or Radiation oncologists terribly helpful. They operate and treat, often very well, but thorough discussions with patient and family may not be their field. I hope you will get the answers you need.All the best! from mary a
2007-03-22 00:16:41 · answer #2 · answered by marya 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My boyfriend has a GBM grade 3/4 unoperable tumor .... He has been on chemo for a year and a half ... He takes it in pill (Temadar) ... The first year he seem to do very well ... after each treatment he would bounce right back, but as the cancer is procressing he is feeling worse with each treatment ... but you have to remember he still has the tumor ... You dad had his removed ... he may do well for a long time ... but like I have always said ... maybe try it once ... or even twice and if you don't like it stop, but if you don't try it at all you will never know ....
2007-03-21 16:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by Missy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First and foremost this should be your fathers decision. You need to follow his lead on this. If you are the primary caregiver and have power of attorney . . than this is where things will get tricky.
My son was a minor when he was diagnosed with a rare stage IV abdominal sarcoma that had metastasized throughout his body. The disease did not have a treatment plan and as far as we could determine there had been only one ten year survivor. The disease is almost uniformly fatal within one to two years because of widespred seeding to the peritoneal cavity, diaphragm, liver, lungs, and pelvic area. When he was first diagnosed there was even less information than the above. And, we were given a choice . . stay for treatment . . or take him home.
It really wasn't a difficult decision. Our son was 17 years old and deserved at least a chance to live. He understood the risks and understood how difficult the fight would be. Because of his age . . and his strength and positive attitude . . we had to give him that chance at life.
2007-03-21 16:39:58 · answer #4 · answered by Panda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋