Surgery Cancelled - Need Prayers More Than Ever

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skipper85
skipper85 Member Posts: 229
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
UPDATE - SKIPPER

My husband had a CT scan the day before his surgery. The surgeon called us up the same day to tell us he would be doing a wedge resection on left lung (lobectomy was supposed to be for right lung). If the left lung showed cancer, surgery would no longer be an option. Well - you guessed it - the left lung showed cancer. He is now stage IV but the doctors are waiting for results from pathology to determine if it is stage IV lung cancer or from the stage IV throat cancer he had. At any rate it's not good news. I don't think my husband has fully absorbed it since the doctor explained things to him when he was still a little woozy from the anesthetic. I think he got the drift though and I'm sure the doctor will expand on it during next week's visit.

I asked the surgeon for a timeline and he couldn't really say except that it could be 6 months - 24 months but certainly not 5 years. I guess it depends on what treatment (if any) my husband decides on. We brought oxygen home from the hospital but my husband isn't using it right now. He's even bucking using the spirometer to expand his lungs. The good news is that he is wearing the nicotene patch and was okay with me getting more for him. The surgeon told us "You didn't hear it from me, but if he enjoys smoking just let him." I don't think he can smoke at this point but that gives you an indication of the shape my husband is in. His lungs are speckled with what the doctor believes is more cancer but he couldn't be sure. This is very scary for my husband even though he doesn't let on. I know it's scary for me.

I don't know if chemo or radiation will keep him alive longer or if my husband should just go for quality of life.

Any suggestions from those of you who have been through something like this or are currently experiencing the same thing with a loved one or friend?

Thanks for all your prayers. Your support means a lot to me. It's so sad. Next week is our 40th anniversary.

Skipper

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  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    #2
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    Prayers
    Extra prayers for you and your husband tonight, Skipper. So sorry that you got bad news.
    Penny
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #3
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    anyone who has been there knows
    Losing a loved one to cancer often entails being where you are right now, skipper. As sorry as I am to hear your husband's prognosis has gotten to this point, I am glad to see you are asking for input. This is just as much a part of living and reality as the diagnosis and the treatment: it all must be dealt with openly and honestly, albeit, painfully.

    Your husband's doctor will let you know the best way to add quality of life medically - your husband must decide in other areas the best course of action. You can do a lot of living in 6 to 24 months.

    The fear and the anxiety that go along with this stage of loss can be overwhelming for you and your husband and other loved ones. Please remember to be gentle with yourselves and to ask for and take any help offered.

    Once your husband has a firmer grasp on reality, take the opportunity to discuss things that need to be discussed: final arrangements, his wishes going forward - share your thoughts and your love with him.

    Hugs to you, skipper. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.

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