Message for Ernie/Plymouthean

crot1998
crot1998 Member Posts: 67
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Hi there. We haven't spoken in a while. As you know my father is also stage 3b. He has just finished his chemo of carbo/taxol with a great 75% shrinkage and no more pleural effusion. I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions. Did you have a pleural effusion? What was the original size of your tumor? Why wasn't it operable at the beginning? I am asking because we are hoping my father can soon be a surgical candidate to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Plymouthean
    Plymouthean Member Posts: 262
    #2
    Hi again. That's wonderful news about your dad! I did not have pleural effusion. The original size of my tumor was 4.5 x 5.8 x 7.7 cm. It wasn't operable in the beginning because there was no definite separation from my esophagus. There was also a question of involvement of my spine. As it turned out, neither the spine, nor the esophagus was involved. The tumor was reduced by 75% and successfully surgically removed (along with the upper right lobe) after chemo and radiation. I pray the your dad will be a candidate for, and will have successful surgery. Please keep me informed.
  • crot1998
    crot1998 Member Posts: 67
    #3
    Hi Ernie. Thanks so much for your speedy reply. You must know you are an inspiration to us all. I have being praying and hoping that things will be okay with my father. Like you, he is a stage 3b or 3a as the pleural effusion was actually benign. My father is feeling well but tired. He had 75% shrinkage with chemo and is on maintenance therapy only. I am not sure if surgery is an option just yet, his tumor was much larger to start off with. The maintenance pill is a clinical trial and so far everything seems to be working out well but emotionally this has been very challenging, our lives as a family (I am the youngest of 4) has been traumtized by all of this as we have never had anything happen to us. My father's birthday is tomorrow and he will be 68, we are fortunate I guess since things are stable and he did respond to treatment, we just need a positive attitude and we have to battle his fatigue. How long did it take you to get back on your feet? Do you still feel tired?
  • Plymouthean
    Plymouthean Member Posts: 262
    #4
    crot1998 said:

    Hi Ernie. Thanks so much for your speedy reply. You must know you are an inspiration to us all. I have being praying and hoping that things will be okay with my father. Like you, he is a stage 3b or 3a as the pleural effusion was actually benign. My father is feeling well but tired. He had 75% shrinkage with chemo and is on maintenance therapy only. I am not sure if surgery is an option just yet, his tumor was much larger to start off with. The maintenance pill is a clinical trial and so far everything seems to be working out well but emotionally this has been very challenging, our lives as a family (I am the youngest of 4) has been traumtized by all of this as we have never had anything happen to us. My father's birthday is tomorrow and he will be 68, we are fortunate I guess since things are stable and he did respond to treatment, we just need a positive attitude and we have to battle his fatigue. How long did it take you to get back on your feet? Do you still feel tired?

    Hello. No thanks are needed for any help I can offer. After my experience and success with cancer, I feel honored to be able to offer help/advice/support to those who are going through it. This website has become important in my life. Anyway...... This experience is emotionally and physically challenging and traumatizing to the patient and the family. A positive attitude, for your whole family is extremely important. One website says it all, - "Cancer Sucks, Choose Hope!" - really that's the name of the website! Your dad's fatigue is natural, if not pleasant to see and feel. He can't fight the fatigue. He'll just have to listen to his body, and rest when he needs to. It will take patience on his part. After treatment, it will go away. His case seems to parallel mine in many ways, and I hope that he becomes a candidate for surgery. I had the upper lobe of my right lung removed. The surgery was not easy on me. Heavy smokers do not handle surgery well. It took me a while to get back up and around after surgery, but don't even worry about that now. Let's get him to surgery, and then I'll give you the blow-by-blow of my recovery experience. Happy Birthday to your dad! Keep me posted. Ernie

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