Can MSCC return after surgery

Hi ladybird, I didn't notice you are new to our group, so welcome. There are about 100 of us who post moderately frequently and perhaps 20 who have a lot of knowledge and experience, Lyn being one of them (I'm sure she is blushing now). 

Sorry to hear how things are going with both your parents health. It's very important you look after yourself too, in fact it is important you put yourself first. It is a fact of life that our parents will die, and struggling to prevent that will be as successful as King Canute's attempt to stop the tide coming in. So try and make their lives comfortable, do no harm, try and do good, but don't fight the inevitable.

So, my Dad had a meeting on Monday with the specialist about possible radium 223 treatment but they have said that he is too weak at this point and they will review it in the new year (he hasn't been eating properly and has lost so much weight he can hardly walk). The scans showed that the cancer is widespread in his bones but not in his organs and there is no sign of a new spinal cord compression. 

The next day I took him for an oncology meeting where we were baffled with new drug facts and statistics. They want him to start daily tablets of dexamethasone and monthly infusions of zoledronic acid. He has got a dentist appointment on Monday to check he is okay to start the treatment, meanwhile the hospice has upped the amount of Oxycodone he is on and the slow release tablets seem to be helping with the pain. He is also on naproxen twice a day amongst other pills, he is a bit like a maraca!

Can anyone tell me about these new treatments they want to try? I am so baffled by all the different medications they keep adding, I have made him lists of everything that he needs to take, when he needs to take them and what it does, but I really don't know what they are trying to achieve, do they want to help relieve pain, prolong life or both? They mentioned something about the zoledronic acid shrinking cancer in about 10% of patients and my Dad has clung on to that but I can't find anymore information about it.

I am so bewildered and confused.

Thanks Lyn, He hasn't questioned whether to accept the treatment or not, if it helps the pain and gives him strength it is a no brainer. We have already booked the dental appointment. I have just got confused by everything they were telling us, is it just for pain and bone strength or can it help to prolong life? At the moment he is getting weaker as he is in too much pain to care for himself long term. My brother and I are trying to help as much as possible but there are so many complications. We are going to try and sort carers coming in to at least help him prepare food and shower, but everything that is tried, different medications and equipment, seem to help for a short time and then stop working within a week a week or two. 

Thank you Dave, My Dad has said he hasn't reached the point of wanting to stop treatments yet so that is good, he still has some fight in him. 

Your story reminds me of a lady in our family who was diagnosed with cancer in her 80s. She had seen both of her sisters die from the same disease after going through every treatment out there so she said she didn't want that. Everyone is different, that was the right decision for her. She died peacefully in her own home with family there having chosen not to go through any tests or treatment. 

So, this time two weeks ago my Dad had weak legs but he could still climb the stairs, I moved his bedroom downstairs just to be on the safe side. My brother went to stay with him the following Tuesday and by Wednesday night my Dad couldn't even get out of bed. The hospice were great and arranged fast track NHS continuing Care and on Saturday my Dad moved into the nursing home that my Mum is in (he has the room opposite). I don't know if his spinal cord has compressed again, his ct scan in October suggested not, but I am realistic, I know they won't be able to do anything now anyway. He is initially in the home to see if he can build his strength and regain mobility with idea that he can return home but after a week there he is still being hoisted out of the bed. Apparently it was difficult to get the NHS funding as he isn't officially end of life but he has certainly gone downhill very quickly with his mobility. We have no idea where we are going with this but at least he has 12 weeks paid at the home to see what happens.