My dad beat cancer. He is now officially a cancer survivor.

[Maddy McCall]

He had cancer in his upper stomach, where it connects to the esophagus. He went through 18 weeks of chemo and a month of radiation. He has had two good check-ups--the cancer was gone after the chemo, but the doctor wanted to do radiation as an added precaution. I posted about this the day he was diagnosed--I want to thank everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and offers to give advice during this very stressful period in my family's life.

I have a question, though. He has been anemic ever since his last radiation treatment. He hasn't really built his strength back up, yet, and this frustrates him. Is it normal to be anemic after cancer, for six weeks or more? How long will it take for him to build his strength/endurance back up?

Thanks again to everyone who was so supportive during the past year. NSMA and Zomby--especially you two--you don't know in how many ways you kept me afloat.

[NightTrain]

1. That's fantastic news!

Congratulations to you and your loved ones! :bounce:

[Bluzmann57]

2. Congrats to your dad

My dad is a cancer survivor too so we have something in common I guess. I believe it is normal to be anemic for a while after radiation and/or chemo. After all, the body has undergone some serious trauma and will take a little while to recover. Was he in good health before the cancer? My (nonexpert) advice would be to continue to listen to the doctor and physical therapist. They know what's best, generally.

[Maddy McCall]

7. Yes--he was in excellent health.

I think that is what depresses him so.

Congrats to your dad, too. Oh, and we have something else in common--an appreciation for the blues. :-)

[Champ]

3. That's great

Send him my congrats! :bounce:

[onebigbadwulf]

4. Let me try this one

Anemia can happen in a number of ways - including disease and nutritional deficiencies.

Since your dad had stomach cancer, my best guess is that he might be B12 deficient. There are cells specialized in the stomach to make an enzyme which binds to B12 and gets absorbed your intestine. If his blood is macrocytic (big undivided red blood cells) he'll need to get a B12 shot.

If his blood is microcytic (many tiny red blood cells) he has an iron deficiency.

Otherwise, it's just normal chemo-induced anemia. Most chemotherapies prevent cells of the body from reproducing - including hair/gut/and blood cells. This is why patients' hair falls out.

So if you're worried get a blood test, but just remember it takes a while for these things to return to normal.


And that's my two cents from a year of medical school!

[flamingyouth]

5. That's such great news!

:bounce:
And yes, I think the anemia is very common. I have a friend who's successfully beaten Hodgkin's Disease twice - first with chemo, then with radiation. IIRC, he was anemic for about three months after the radiation. Is he taking any iron supplements, or can he?

Cooking in cast iron and eating lots of spinach can also help. I wish continued good health to him, and what a relief for you! :hug:

[Flaxbee]

6. Re anemia, yes, it is pretty normal...

though he should definitely keep an eye on it. I don't know how long... perhaps an Internet search will tell you. BUt after the assault on his body of chemo and radiation, it may take a while before he's "up to snuff" again. May be up to six months before he's feeling more like his old self, if I remember what survivor friends of mine have said.

I'm so happy for you and him! It's wonderful news!

[Maddy McCall]

8. Thanks everyone for the nice words and great advice...

He will see his doctor again on Tuesday. I will tell him to be sure to ask about iron supplements.

You guys are the greatest!

:loveya:

[Spinzonner]

9. Has the doctor mentioned any anti-anemia treatments

such as Erythropoietin:

http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Treatments/Biologicaltherapies/Erythropoietin

There may be other issues, of course. I imagine that the stomach might have some increased risks for bleeding that contra-indicate some treatments.

[lancdem]

10. Wonderful news!

[demnan]

11. Hey, hang in there!!!!

Your Dad may have some time to recover, you know the treatments for cancer are something that take a lot out of a person :-). My good thoughts are with you and a Happy Father's Day to your Dad. You love him and are a blessing to him.

[UrbScotty]

12. Party!

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO JCHILD'S DAD AND THE ENTIRE JCHILD FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!

:party:

:bounce:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. I am so fucking stoked to sign on and have this be the first thing

I see. I didn't read the entire thread so I don't know of you got the answer to your question, but if you don't get a satisfactory answer...it just so happens one of my clients is a hematologist and I'll ask him tomorrow....


I knw how much this has worried you...this is the best father's day news you could post (and from one Daddy's girl to another...I am so happy it looks like you'll have him around for a while more)

:loveya:

(oh and I've missed you too...I have some news for you too when we chat :D )

[Southsideirish]

14. Google "anemia" and "cancer" (together) - see what you get.

This may sound crazy but when I was anemic as a kid - my dad used to give me Guinness's Stout - its supposed to be a great restorative - check with his Dr. first, though, to be sure it will be ok.

[Zomby Woof]

15. YES!!!

The Train Man keeps-a-runnin'!! :D

I am so very happy about the news. Between that and other pressing matters, your plate runneth over. A well-deserved break from the stress and a big toast to your Dad! :toast:

:loveya: :hug: