Mom has lung cancer

Hutton07

My Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer about six weeks ago. She has been lethargic and had also been losing weight. She was a heavy, heavy smoker. She is on her sixth week of radiation and chemo, starting next week. She has done very well during the procedures, she will has her hair and hasn't been nauseated.

The one problem she has had after the chemo treatments occurred two or three days after chemo, she would get very wiped out. During her treatment, she wasn't smoking much at all.

Now that she is nearing the end of treatment, she is smoking again and will soon be back to the heavy stage. She also has to be told to take her appetite stimulate medicines, anti depressants, etc. To get her to take the medicine, I have to go and give her the meds. If she doesn't take them, rapid weight loss occurs.

I am at the state where I am discovering that I might need to let her do what she wants even though that means she will leave me sooner. It is so hard that I think I will go crazy sometime. I just lost my husband one and one half years ago, so it is a double whammy.

I would like to have other people's opinions about the medicine and her smoking. Has anyone else experienced a sick parent who is very, very difficult?

Lois_daughter

So sorry about your mom's
So sorry about your mom's diagnosis,

My mom was also diagnosed with lung cancer, however, we never made it to the treatment stage or even saw an oncologist. Even before mom's diagnosis of cancer, she had been dealing with a back injury and taking pain medicine and other medicines to help with all the side effects of the pain meds. She got really tired of taking so many pills.. It may be she is forgeting to take them or does not like some of the side effects of the meds. I would recommend talking to your mom or maybe one of the nurses or doctors can talk to her about her meds to see what she really wants to do. I didn't have much time with my mom but she had always said she would never have chemo or surgery if she had cancer - it is hard to stand by and do nothing. I would give anything to have mom back whole and well & really wish I could have done things differently for her when she just had severe back pain and even in the week after her diagnosis of cancer. Talk to your mom and spend time together is all I can say. There is so much you can't control. This journey is the hardest thing I have ever had to go thru and at times wonder if I can make it, I can't image losing a husband so soon and now youre dealing with you mom's cancer. Good luck to you and your mom, hope therapy goes well. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers. Come here and let us know how you are doing.

kelly

reneb50

I am sorry to hear about
I am sorry to hear about your mother. My dad was just diagnosed on 10-23 with stage IV lung cancer, he has several tumors even on his adreal glands. Things to do seem good, pray and talking to people help. He will have a biopsy on Friday to determine which type and see the onicolgist next week. My dad is still smoking also, he said this is the last carton he is buying but I am afraid he will start back, the dr said he will get better results with the treatment if he quits. I wish you and your mom luck and I will remember her in my prayers.

reneb50

I am sorry to hear about
I am sorry to hear about your mother. My dad was just diagnosed on 10-23 with stage IV lung cancer, he has several tumors even on his adreal glands. Things to do seem good, pray and talking to people help. He will have a biopsy on Friday to determine which type and see the onicolgist next week. My dad is still smoking also, he said this is the last carton he is buying but I am afraid he will start back, the dr said he will get better results with the treatment if he quits. I wish you and your mom luck and I will remember her in my prayers.