I can barely hold back tears. Another day passes with my father enduring excruciating lower back pain, likely from his lung tumor. Why is effective pain relief for cancer so elusive?
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We've known about the lung tumor for over a year, and at 86, my father has lived a full life. Until six weeks ago, he drove himself from Nuenen to Schijndel for Friday lunches with grandchildren and dog walks. That routine has ended.
Six weeks ago, his lower back pain intensified. It fluctuated before but now holds steady at a pain rating of 8—likely a 9 or 10 for most, given his resilience.
The lung tumor, diagnosed over seven years ago, shrank with radiation and chemotherapy. Colon cancer followed, successfully surgically removed, but a hospital fall led to a broken hip. Six months post-rehab, my mother passed from colon cancer. Four years on, we're facing this again.
We've adapted to the tumor's presence. Pain-free weeks allowed normalcy—holidays with the dog staying over. But that's changed.
Now, pain dominates our lives. Despite consultations with the GP, pain clinic, and home care, relief remains out of reach.
Treatments tried: morphine patches, nerve pain pills, NSAIDs, and 6-15 daily morphine melts. Six weeks in, he's still in agony.
Contacting specialists 3-4 times weekly yields frustration. Delays in callbacks mean sleepless nights, hoping for medication adjustments that work.
Latest plan: targeted radiation to reduce pain, supplemented by remaining painkillers.
Cancer pain is notoriously unpredictable—we've seen it spike from 0-4 to 8 in minutes. Standard relief has barely touched his.
With conventional options failing, alternatives beckon. I have CBD oil ready, awaiting doctor approval. GP supports; pain specialist hesitates. What would you do—try it or wait?
Update: After careful consideration, we tried CBD oil. Read my follow-up blog for results.
