Jim,
What a tough place to be...
I would not recommend the Chemo for you father...It causes extreme fatigue, nausea, muscle weakness...it can cause neuropathy (which is numbness in the feet and hands)which can make walking difficult, and other side effects that I am not familiar with because my husband didn't get them...In your Father's case I think that the Risks out weigh the benefits.
However, Radiation can definitely be used without Chemo. Radiation (in my opinion) is more of an exact science...When we consulted with the Radiology/oncologist we were told: DO you see where the cancer is on this CT Scan? When we take the next CT it will be gone! Granted they cannot radiate the entire body (Oh how I wish they could) but for specific spots, and for pain associated with those spots, Radiation offers the fewest side effects...As a matter of fact...my husband received relatively no side effects...This may not be true for all people, but in our case we were very pleased.
I don't envy your position...these are tough decisions...but ultimately they are your fathers...
If it were my father, I would want him to be as comfortable as possible, and do whatever he wanted for as long as he wanted...As long as there is no pain...that is the major concern.
My heart goes out to you,
.·:*¨¨*:·.Karen.·:*¨¨*:·.