Stage 4 nasopharynx chemo., lumps dissapeared?

Hi 
Soph07 
Sorry to hear about your Dad

Yes the chemo can deal with the swollen lymph nodes pretty dramatically and it’s a good sign . 
I’ll tag Hazel RadioactiveRaz who although wasn’t at stage 4 nevertheless had a dramatic response to her cancerous nodes. So much so that she ended up having only two of her planned sessions 

Some chemotherapy can make you pretty ill. What is he having? He should recover slowly once it’s stopped. 
is he having radiotherapy once the cancer has shrunk? 

Hi Soph07 As Beesuit said my last chemo was cancelled as after 2 sessions of cosplaying combined with radiotherapy my lathe lymph node in the hollow of my collarbone has disappeared. So fingers x for you dad it’s a good sign. Sorry to year he’s so poorly it tough treatment  and if he was weak to start with it’s going to be hard on him. What chemo Is he having ? I was 61 when diagnosed whilst I was having my treatment I met a guy neil Who I’m still in touch with he had nasopharyngeal cancer but was stage 2. 

hugs 

Hazel 

Good evening Soph07, sorry to hear about your dad, it is good news the lumps have gone after two doses, the trouble is the chemo can give us uncomfortable side effects varying from person to person, some get hardly any side effects yet others suffer more. I had surgery to remove my tumours followed by 30 radio and 3 x chemo doses during this period i suffered from fatigue and felt weak and unable to do anything physical. Hopefully, your dad will continue to make a full recovery, wishing you all the best.

                                                                         Chris x

Hi Beesuit 

Thanks so much for replying. It's really reassuring to hear about RadioactiveRaz and I'm so happy for you and your outcome, it gives me hope for Dad too! 

I'm not sure what chemo he is having exactly but the treatment plan mentions Cisplatin and Gemcitabine so maybe its that? 

He is 59 and has always been very active and healthy before the diagnosis so it's just shocking to see how quickly he is deteriorating. 

And yeah, his treatment plan says radiotherapy after the chemo but I'm just hoping he starts to feel better as I fear his body is becoming too weak for any more treatment. But I'm just hoping for a positive outcome! 

I really appreciate your responses as this is the first time I've spoken to others about it so thank you! 

Hi chris2012 

• Sorry to hear what you went through! But it does sound very similar to my dad with the fatigue etc. He also can't do anything including talking and even thinking straight. Can I ask, did you ever feel better in between chemo sessions or were you perminately wiped out through the whole process? Thanks so much for replying ️ 

Sophie x 

Soph07 said:

Gemcitabine

That’s what’s making him feel so bad. He will be well looked after by his chemo team so do encourage him to tell them how he feels. 
Stay with us. The RT to come is a real challenge too but there are lots of us here who have survived and thrived. I’m nearly six years clear and living really well 

Oh I see! I probably should have googled earlier to find out more about it but thanks for explaining. I know he is getting regular visits but he doesn't like being fussed over and sometimes sends them away. He thinks he is a burden and doesn't like to cause people trouble. He says he just wants to be left alone apart from me and my brother. (he's silly I know!) But luckily he is living with my nana so she is keeping an eye on him. 

And I'm so glad to hear you're doing well now! Thank you x 

Soph07 said:

He thinks he is a burden and doesn't like to cause people trouble.

I know the feeling. That’s how I felt at first when I was diagnosed. Give him a big hug from me xx Tell him he’s not m. Ask him how he would feel if it was your Nana who was ill. 

Hi Soph07, like the others have said it is a good thing, shows the chemo is working. The chemo does make you feel bad pretty quickly. Keep his team updated on how he is. The treatment works well although it is brutal. When I had my very last check up before being signed off from the hospital, the wonderful consultant said, "Unfortunately we have to make you very poorly to make you better." Look after your dad, and yourself.

Ray.

Hi Sophie. Your dad sounds just like my husband both in personality and symptoms from the chemo. My husband has the same cancer including skull base and has only had one cycle chemo. He is very weak and always in pain. Has been in pain for 2 years now but also felt that he was a burden so just carried on working and finally could not and was diagnosed.  I fear that he is already to week to cope with the next 2 cycles plus radiotherapy after that. Take each day as it comes, good day bad day. Even hour by hour if you have to. They just need you there even when they tell you they don't which is upsetting.  I absolutely know how you feel. It tough watching them sink and not being able to help.Im scared  anxious,and don't sleep unless he does , but try to get every family member that you can involved, even if he complains about it. It does help lessen the anxiety. Hope this helps. You are not alone in this. Just reach out xx