Upptäckt/diagnos:

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.

Resa:

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.

Eftersom min pappa är en 65-årig patient, rekommenderades han att gå igenom strålterapi och kemoterapi och inte ett kirurgiskt ingrepp. Vi var omedvetna om bokstavligen allt som kemoterapi eller strålning och dess biverkningar, etc. Vi var tvungna att konsultera ett par läkare. Vi gjorde också olika undersökningar. Det var en kontinuerlig fråga om man skulle gå för en datortomografi eller en PET-skanning eftersom skanning var ett obligatoriskt test. Vi undersökte våra alternativ för att ta reda på det bästa. Det fanns många alternativ med flera resultat. Vi gick på en PET-skanning, och skanningen visade att tumören tryckte på hans luftrör, vilket ökade komplexiteten. Efter denna upptäckt föreslogs det för oss att först minska tumören. För att minska tumören fick vi gå igenom kemoterapi.

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.

Hela vår familj brukade spendera mycket tid med min pappa. Vi höll honom engagerad och distraherad så att han inte känner sig ensam. Att spendera tid med honom fick mig att må bra också. Han fick många biverkningar från cellgiftssessionerna. Min pappa var dock väldigt positiv under hela resan. Hans positiva tankar höll honom igång.

Efter strålning fick han lunginflammation. Denna nya upptäckt innebar många risker för min far. Jag insåg att det kunde döda min far, och vi kan inte göra något åt ​​det. Cancer har fortfarande inte gått helt. Under tiden hade han också en fistel. På grund av covid-situationen åkte vi inte till sjukhuset för att få igång immunterapin, vilket kan stärka min fars immunitet. Han hade stora svårigheter med fistel när han hostade.  

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.

Familjens reaktion:

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.

Behandlingens varaktighet:

Den totala resan varade i totalt 23 veckor, varav sex veckors kemoterapi ägde rum. Läkarna ville göra nio veckors kemoterapisessioner, men de föreslog att de skulle gå på strålning efter att ha sett resultaten. Strålningen tog cirka 12 veckor. 

Bieffekter:

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. 

Livsstilsförändringar:

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.

Påverkar på grund av pandemi:

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.

Gratis terapi:

Vi gick inte för eller övervägde några alternativa behandlingar som Ayurveda eller örtterapi. vi måste alltid bara göra den konventionella medicinen.

Avskedsmeddelande:

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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