Обнаружение/Диагностика:

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.

Поездка:

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.

Поскольку моему отцу 65 лет, ему рекомендовали пройти лучевую терапию и химиотерапию, а не хирургическое вмешательство. Мы не знали буквально обо всем, например, о химиотерапии, лучевой терапии, их побочных эффектах и ​​т. д. Нам пришлось проконсультироваться с парой врачей. Мы также проводили различные исследования. Постоянно стоял вопрос, стоит ли идти на компьютерная томография или ПЭТ-сканирование, поскольку сканирование было обязательным тестом. Мы изучали варианты, чтобы найти лучший. Было много вариантов с разными исходами. Мы пошли на ПЭТ, и оно показало, что опухоль сдавливает горло, что усложняло ситуацию. После этого открытия нам предложили в первую очередь уменьшить опухоль. Чтобы уменьшить опухоль, нам пришлось пройти через химиотерапия.

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.

Вся наша семья проводила много времени с моим отцом. Мы поддерживали его занятость и отвлечение, чтобы он не чувствовал себя одиноким. Проведя время с ним, я тоже почувствовал себя хорошо. У него было много побочных эффектов от сеансов химиотерапии. Однако мой отец был очень позитивен на протяжении всего путешествия. Позитивные мысли поддерживали его.

После облучения у него была пневмония. Это новое обнаружение имело много рисков для моего отца. Я понял, что это может убить моего отца, и мы ничего не можем с этим поделать. рак еще не прошел полностью. Тем временем у него еще и был свищ. Из-за ситуации с ковидом мы не пошли в больницу, чтобы начать иммунотерапию, которая может повысить иммунитет моего отца. Он столкнулся с большими трудностями из-за свища во время кашля.  

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.

Реакция семьи:

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.

Продолжительность лечения:

В целом путешествие длилось 23 недели, из которых шесть недель пришлось на химиотерапию. Врачи хотели провести девять недель химиотерапии, но, увидев результаты, предложили пройти лучевую терапию. Облучение длилось около 12 недель. 

Побочные эффекты:

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. 

Изменения образа жизни:

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.

Последствия пандемии:

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.

Бесплатная терапия:

Мы не использовали и не рассматривали какие-либо альтернативные методы лечения, такие как Аюрведа или травяная терапия. нам всегда приходится принимать только обычные лекарства.

Прощальное сообщение:

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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