Immunotherapy confusion

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi all reading this,

i am currently in Spain, where my Dad is. He was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma lung cancer (moved into his bones) in January this year. He had 3 rounds of chemotherapy (every 3 weeks) and now they've moved on to some form of immunotherapy. After 1 round of immuno- he had an ear infection and then intense pain around ribs, chest and back (even whilst on 50 mc of Fentanyl patches and other pain relief to use as and when). 

It got to the point where the pain was so bad he went to A and E and has been in hospital since Friday (now Tuesday night). The pain has been stabilised by changing back to morphine and a steroid. He's  very "whoozey" but much better in terms of pain.

I just feel so confused. Should one round of immunotherapy really cause SUCH pain if it's working?! Also, the oncologist here was positive after 3 lots of chemo- that the tumour had shrunk and yet they've moved him onto immunotherapy... i don't get it.

They also told him that chemo- was "successful" in shrinking the tumour but they've found some cancer in the liver now so I don't understand how that is good if the cancer has not been contained.

I don't expect anyone to answer my confused questions or anything; I guess I just feel baffled and don't understand what's going on.

I really want my Dad to return to the UK (from Spain- he's from UK) but he seems so hopeful that treatment will work that  he is able to stay. I just don't know what to do... in context- I'm mid-30's and lost my mum 2 years ago to sepsis during her chemotherapy and my Dad is way off here in Spain with a short-term partner who cannot become a carer to him.

I am glad these forums are here as I cannot stop thinking about all this and it's helpful to write it down!

thank you

  • Hi , sorry to read your story and feel your pain, my wife has never had immunotherapy so it is difficult for me to know how usual or unusual this is. Our Ask a Nurse might be able to give you some kind of answer. On the chemo front is does sound quite good it shrunk the tumour and the big thing with chemo is is does target the cancer wherever it is even if they only found it had speard later on. Glad to hear the hospital painkillers seem to be working even if it means hospital treatment,

    <<hugs>>

    Steve

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  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to src60

    Hi Steve, thanks for your message. I guess it's just difficult living with so many unknowns when I'm trying to support my Dad from another country. 

    I think I do need to remain as positive as possible as things seem to change daily! 

    Thank you for your ask the nurse tip- I'll take a look.

    Best wishes to you, J