Détection / Diagnostic :

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.

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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.

Comme mon père est un patient de 65 ans, on lui a recommandé de suivre une radiothérapie et une chimiothérapie et non une intervention chirurgicale. Nous ne connaissions absolument rien, comme la chimiothérapie ou la radiothérapie et leurs effets secondaires, etc. Nous avons dû consulter quelques médecins. Nous avons également effectué diverses recherches. Il y avait une question constante de savoir s'il fallait opter pour un Scanographie ou un PET scan, car le scan était un test obligatoire. Nous explorions nos options pour trouver la meilleure. Il y avait de nombreuses options avec de multiples résultats. Nous avons fait un TEP, et le scanner a révélé que la tumeur poussait sa trachée, ce qui ajoutait à la complexité. Après cette découverte, il nous a été proposé de réduire dans un premier temps la tumeur. Pour réduire la tumeur, il a fallu passer par chimiothérapie.

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.

Toute notre famille passait beaucoup de temps avec mon père. Nous l'avons gardé engagé et distrait afin qu'il ne se sente pas seul. Passer du temps avec lui m'a fait du bien aussi. Il a eu beaucoup d’effets secondaires suite aux séances de chimio. Cependant, mon père a été très positif tout au long du voyage. Ses pensées positives l’ont aidé à tenir le coup.

Après une radiothérapie, il a eu une pneumonie. Cette nouvelle détection comportait de nombreux risques pour mon père. J'ai réalisé que cela pouvait tuer mon père, et nous ne pouvons rien y faire. Cancer n'est toujours pas complètement disparu. Entre-temps, il a également eu une fistule. En raison de la situation covid, nous ne sommes pas allés à l'hôpital pour commencer l'immunothérapie, qui peut renforcer l'immunité de mon père. Il a rencontré beaucoup de difficultés avec une fistule en toussant.  

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.

Réaction familiale :

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.

Durée du traitement :

Le voyage global a duré au total 23 semaines, dont six semaines de chimiothérapie. Les médecins voulaient faire neuf semaines de séances de chimiothérapie, mais ils ont suggéré de subir une radiothérapie après avoir vu les résultats. La radiothérapie a duré environ 12 semaines. 

Effets secondaires:

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. 

Changements de style de vie:

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.

Affects dus à la pandémie :

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.

Thérapie complémentaire :

Nous n'avons pas opté ni envisagé de traitements alternatifs comme Ayurveda ou Thérapie à base de plantes. nous devons toujours prendre uniquement les médicaments conventionnels.

Message d'adieu :

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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