Detección / Diagnóstico:

Almost eight months ago, my dad began experiencing difficulty swallowing food properly. We then consulted a doctor, and after an endoscopy, it was discovered that he had a tumor. Subsequent biopsy results revealed a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. He was unable to consume solid food and relied entirely on a liquid diet.

Viaje:

Cancer came as a bit of a shock, especially since my father wasn't accustomed to hospitals. Adjusting to medical procedures was a big challenge for him. He was advised to receive nourishment through a feeding tube. Throughout his treatment, I remained by his side, spending considerable time with him. I fulfilled the role of caregiver for nearly four months, meeting with multiple doctors to understand my father's condition and potential outcomes.

Como mi papá es un paciente de 65 años, le recomendaron radioterapia y quimioterapia y no un procedimiento quirúrgico. No conocíamos literalmente todo, como la quimioterapia o la radiación y sus efectos secundarios, etc. Tuvimos que consultar a un par de médicos. También hicimos varias investigaciones. Había una pregunta continua sobre si optar o no por un CT scan o una exploración PET, ya que la exploración era una prueba obligatoria. Estábamos explorando nuestras opciones para encontrar la mejor. Había muchas opciones con múltiples resultados. Fuimos a realizar una exploración por TEP y la exploración reveló que el tumor estaba empujando su tráquea, lo que añadió complejidad. Después de este descubrimiento, nos sugirieron reducir primero el tumor. Para reducir el tumor, tuvimos que pasar por quimioterapia.

After two cycles of chemotherapy sessions, the doctors witnessed a miracle: a significant reduction in the size of the tumor. This news not only kept us positive but also motivated us to continue with the treatment. Following this success, we proceeded with several weeks of radiation therapy. However, radiation therapy brought along a slew of side effects. Managing continuous coughing was particularly challenging for my father, causing him considerable discomfort. Nonetheless, the promising reduction in the tumor size kept him determined to press on.

Toda nuestra familia solía pasar mucho tiempo con mi padre. Lo mantuvimos ocupado y distraído para que no se sintiera solo. Pasar tiempo con él también me hizo sentir bien. Tuvo muchos efectos secundarios por las sesiones de quimioterapia. Sin embargo, mi padre se mostró muy positivo durante todo el viaje. Sus pensamientos positivos lo mantuvieron adelante.

Después de la radiación, tuvo neumonía. Esta nueva detección tenía muchos riesgos para mi padre. Me di cuenta de que podría matar a mi padre y no podemos hacer nada al respecto. Cáncer todavía no ha desaparecido del todo. Mientras tanto, él también tenía una fístula. Debido a la situación del covid, no fuimos al hospital para iniciar la terapia inmune, que puede aumentar la inmunidad de mi padre. Enfrentó muchas dificultades con la fístula al toser.  

As a caregiver, my entire family and I dedicated as much time as possible to be with him. I firmly believe that spending quality time with the patient can significantly impact both the patient and the family. My father developed a daily habit of playing online chess, which served as a valuable distraction and source of engagement for him. Despite facing challenges such as the presence of a fistula, which limited his mobility, he remained determined. I continuously sought ways to enhance his comfort and accessibility, exploring various strategies to improve his quality of life.

Reacción familiar:

Everyone in the family initially struggled to come to terms with the news. Initially, we hesitated to tell him, but when we finally did, he responded with remarkable positivity. His courageous acceptance of the situation set the tone for the entire family. Although the news was difficult to digest at first, we found strength in each other and in the stories of cancer survivors. My father's determination to fight back was evident from the start, and his unwavering belief that he would be okay inspired us all. We moved forward with a renewed sense of hope and determination to explore all possible avenues for his treatment and recovery.

Duración del Tratamiento:

El viaje total duró un total de 23 semanas, de las cuales seis semanas de quimioterapia se realizaron. Los médicos querían hacer nueve semanas de sesiones de quimioterapia, pero sugirieron someterse a radiación después de ver los resultados. La radiación tardó unas 12 semanas. 

Efectos secundarios:

We observed a variety of side effects on a daily basis. Hair loss and continuous shedding were prominent, along with general weakness. Rashes appeared on his body, and muscular pain became frequent due to lack of movement. Coughing increased due to issues with the windpipe, prompting the use of steamers and nebulizers to alleviate mucus buildup. His sleep patterns were disrupted by discomfort on the hospital bed, so we adjusted the incline for better rest. The radiation treatment also brought about additional symptoms, for which the doctors recommended various creams to mitigate their effects. 

Cambios en el estilo de vida:

With the cancer diagnosis came positive changes in my father's lifestyle. He embraced his situation and stayed engaged in various activities. Embracing technology, he used it to communicate with others and even started playing online chess for distraction and entertainment. We utilized online shopping to purchase steamers and nebulizers, setting up a mini-hospital at home for his convenience, minimizing the need for frequent hospital visits.

Afecta por Pandemia:

The pandemic brought about drastic changes in everyone's lives. Travel became restricted and risky, with limited mobility compared to pre-COVID times. However, with proper medications and guidance from doctors, these limitations could be managed effectively.

Terapia de cortesía:

No optamos ni consideramos ningún tratamiento alternativo como Ayurveda o Terapia herbaria. Siempre tenemos que usar solo la medicación convencional.

Mensaje de despedida:

Cancer news can indeed turn your world upside down, but with positivity, support, and the right advice, anyone can move forward and face this battle. The journey is exhausting for both the patient and the caregiver, leading to numerous questions and second thoughts about treatment and medication. However, with support, love, proper medicine, and sound advice, the journey becomes a little easier. Spending time with patients helps them feel comfortable and normalizes their experience. Engaging them in activities like online games can distract them from overthinking about the future. As a caregiver, I advise others to keep patients engaged, provide them with attention and time, and spread positivity, as these activities can significantly benefit patients.

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