My husband has just been diagnosed with lung cancer

BrendaRae

I am new here and to have to be here is frightening; I never thought I would be facing such a situation.

My husband was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I do not the specific type, but it is in the upper lobe of his left lung and a small bit may be present in a small area of his other. That is all I have been told and he knows not much more because we are in the preliminary stages of this. But, the doctor who discovered has stated that he may have a year; that is a speculation based on statistics I guess and yes it scares me.

But my heart tells me do not give up yet and I have placed this in God's hands. I have read the forums here as well as others and I have seen that people have beat the odds even when they were told there was no hope. There is hope in everything even this. My husband is a fighter and said he he is going to fight with all he has in him as he is fighting for me-I consider that to be a very positive attitude and knowing my husband and knowing how much he lives for me I know it will be a powerful factor in this battle.

He is being sent to a very good facility one of the best I am told. Yes this is hard on me especially being that I am having to go it alone right now. He has to concentrate on working at doing all he can do and that is what I want him to do. I asked God to help convince him to go to the doctor after he was feeling bad for some time and God persuaded him and my heart tells me God is the motivating factor in all of this. Something inside me spoke and told me "get your husband to go, for it will be something that will make a powerful difference."

What is also hard is that I also found out my sister died a year ago and when I told my husband I said 'everyone is leaving me" and out of the blue and with a powerful voice he said to me "I am not leaving you baby." I don't know what that meant but my heart tells me to hold on to that very statement.

I thank you all for listening and any support you can offer is appreciated. Please pray for us.

God Bless

Elizabeth15

Just Read Your Post
Your first sentence is what I think everyone of us felt and had pass through our mind when we initially registered here. With time I can now say I am so grateful to have found my spot here. The exchange of fears, wishes, loss, hope, tears, joys, sweet and sad memories any and all emotions, feelings and all else that goes hand and hand with a cancer diagnosis of ones self or loved one is made here without judgement but instead met with understanding, a willingness to listen, share and offer suggestions or just a place to vent with like minds. It is a place laced with grace and a willingness to be a shoulder to cry on when one may feel there is no where else to turn...turning here for me made me feel better and not alone...

Your husband and you sound like my honey and me when we first got the news...I always said I am staying on the sunny side of the street...I had too...I had to march forward head held high...I demanded it from all who came near me and my husband...I refused to let negativity enter any conversation...my husband needed positivity to face the road ahead...I guess it was all I was able to control at that point...We prayed together and alone... my husband was Catholic but I am Protestant...he was always applying holy water...why heck even I started dabbing myself with it...figured it couldn't hurt.

What helped me the most was buying two journals...one for the medical stuff...sometimes so much comes flying at you that by writing it down I had a reference later one as well as when the medical staff sees you writing stuff down it seems to be a little more serious with these two! The second journal was for me...everything I felt, wondered, questions, hoped for and feared...I recorded...I am so so thankful I did that...when I felt things were out of control, scary, good or whatever I wrote it down...when I couldn't say things to my Bob I wrote it down...then it was out of me even if for just that moment. My husband had a cough and did not want to go to the doctors...I had to call and make the appointment and remember telling him I would have been irresponsible if I turned my back...it would seem you had a similar experience with your hubby...guys never want to go to the doctors...good thing you are a take the bull by the horns kinda gal! That attitude will pay off as you go along!

BrendaRae, you and your husband have started on an unenviable journey...journeys take many twists, turns and side roads...finding this forum was a positive part of my journey...I could never imagine saying welcome - glad you are here...but I can say I believe your finding this place was meant to be...God led you here for a reason..so many folks here will listen...I for one am so grateful to have found CSN...I hope it offers you the same comfort it has me...Elizabeth

lekkerone

Lots of questions
I think you need a lot more specifics about your husband's condition. What tests has he had? How many doctors are involved and what specialties are they? For a doctor to say he has a year it would seem a lot more has been done than has been indicated. Maybe if you could fill in the blanks we would know what to say to you. Thanks, Diane

BrendaRae

lekkerone said:

Lots of questions
I think you need a lot more specifics about your husband's condition. What tests has he had? How many doctors are involved and what specialties are they? For a doctor to say he has a year it would seem a lot more has been done than has been indicated. Maybe if you could fill in the blanks we would know what to say to you. Thanks, Diane

Diane;
I do not know if it was the doctor who said he had a year. I have only spoken to my husband on the phone and things have been happening fast since I made him go for a checkup. The place where he is I believe has only did preliminary things maybe nothing more than an Xray. I have a feeling my husband is thinking the worst; I know him and somehow something tells me I must get ahold of myself and not jump to conclusions.

I have read up on this alot as you can imagine and have put it in God's hand. It was the Lord who persuaded me to send my husband in and when I did I had this feeling that it was for the right reason and not necessarily to present us with something horrible. That is coming from my heart. I also asked God to take control and promised Him I would put my needs aside for my husband and it gets tough but he is worth it.

Something that has gotten my attention and I cannot say it applies is something called actinomyosis. It can show up as masses in the lungs on Xrays and if often caused by poor dental hygiene and not to make fun but my husband's teeth are in horrible shape and need to removed. And for quite a while now I have caught my husband fiddling with his teeth constantly. For some reason it has caught my attention and now I feel that there could possibly be a connection. Like I said it is only something I found out by exploring.

I thank you Diane and everyone for your support. I am having a tough time but my heart says do not make rash assumptions and I am holding on to that.

BrendaRae

Elizabeth15 said:

Just Read Your Post
Your first sentence is what I think everyone of us felt and had pass through our mind when we initially registered here. With time I can now say I am so grateful to have found my spot here. The exchange of fears, wishes, loss, hope, tears, joys, sweet and sad memories any and all emotions, feelings and all else that goes hand and hand with a cancer diagnosis of ones self or loved one is made here without judgement but instead met with understanding, a willingness to listen, share and offer suggestions or just a place to vent with like minds. It is a place laced with grace and a willingness to be a shoulder to cry on when one may feel there is no where else to turn...turning here for me made me feel better and not alone...

Your husband and you sound like my honey and me when we first got the news...I always said I am staying on the sunny side of the street...I had too...I had to march forward head held high...I demanded it from all who came near me and my husband...I refused to let negativity enter any conversation...my husband needed positivity to face the road ahead...I guess it was all I was able to control at that point...We prayed together and alone... my husband was Catholic but I am Protestant...he was always applying holy water...why heck even I started dabbing myself with it...figured it couldn't hurt.

What helped me the most was buying two journals...one for the medical stuff...sometimes so much comes flying at you that by writing it down I had a reference later one as well as when the medical staff sees you writing stuff down it seems to be a little more serious with these two! The second journal was for me...everything I felt, wondered, questions, hoped for and feared...I recorded...I am so so thankful I did that...when I felt things were out of control, scary, good or whatever I wrote it down...when I couldn't say things to my Bob I wrote it down...then it was out of me even if for just that moment. My husband had a cough and did not want to go to the doctors...I had to call and make the appointment and remember telling him I would have been irresponsible if I turned my back...it would seem you had a similar experience with your hubby...guys never want to go to the doctors...good thing you are a take the bull by the horns kinda gal! That attitude will pay off as you go along!

BrendaRae, you and your husband have started on an unenviable journey...journeys take many twists, turns and side roads...finding this forum was a positive part of my journey...I could never imagine saying welcome - glad you are here...but I can say I believe your finding this place was meant to be...God led you here for a reason..so many folks here will listen...I for one am so grateful to have found CSN...I hope it offers you the same comfort it has me...Elizabeth

Yes I know God led me hear because he knows I need people who can help me cope. I am a recluse and will not bore you with the details of my existence or emotional disorders.

I am not throwing in the towel and my husband said a year but I don't know if that is his fear talking but somehow I feel the doctor did not say that.

Read my reply to Diana as I have discovered something call actinomycosis that can appear as masses on the lungs and in similar fashions to those like my husbands. A major factor is bacteria/toxins formed by poor dental health and my husband's mouth in in extreme poor shape and he has been playing with his teeth for some time as if there is something bothering him that has not usually bothered him before. I will just have to wait and see but above all I still hold out hope and I thank God for you and everyone here.

God Bless

z

BrendaRae said:

Diane;
I do not know if it was the doctor who said he had a year. I have only spoken to my husband on the phone and things have been happening fast since I made him go for a checkup. The place where he is I believe has only did preliminary things maybe nothing more than an Xray. I have a feeling my husband is thinking the worst; I know him and somehow something tells me I must get ahold of myself and not jump to conclusions.

I have read up on this alot as you can imagine and have put it in God's hand. It was the Lord who persuaded me to send my husband in and when I did I had this feeling that it was for the right reason and not necessarily to present us with something horrible. That is coming from my heart. I also asked God to take control and promised Him I would put my needs aside for my husband and it gets tough but he is worth it.

Something that has gotten my attention and I cannot say it applies is something called actinomyosis. It can show up as masses in the lungs on Xrays and if often caused by poor dental hygiene and not to make fun but my husband's teeth are in horrible shape and need to removed. And for quite a while now I have caught my husband fiddling with his teeth constantly. For some reason it has caught my attention and now I feel that there could possibly be a connection. Like I said it is only something I found out by exploring.

I thank you Diane and everyone for your support. I am having a tough time but my heart says do not make rash assumptions and I am holding on to that.

Brendarae
Hello, Sorry you had to find us. Has your husband had the biopsy yet, as thats they only way to confirm cancer. There are many treatment options and the drs don't know how long we have. Please keep us posted. Lori

BrendaRae

z said:

Brendarae
Hello, Sorry you had to find us. Has your husband had the biopsy yet, as thats they only way to confirm cancer. There are many treatment options and the drs don't know how long we have. Please keep us posted. Lori

Lori;
I don't think my husband has had any biopsy yet, or any type of invasive procedures. It is just pictures this point and speculation is I think erring on the side of caution yet not letting anything go unchecked. I hope that makes sense. Like I said previously I do not think it was the doctor who said a year, I think that was shock being experienced by my husband and that he felt he was automatically doomed. I know that I have to understand things from his point of view and that I cannot be upset that he felt that way.

I am not giving in because my heart says not to. My husband is concerned for me I know, he worries about me incessantly always has. He called me and he sounds good do that is encouraging. I tell him to concentrate on him that I am okay and that I am being looked after by our dear friend and landlord. I think he gets upset because he loves me but even so I must insist and keep on him to keep his focus where it needs to be on him. It is hard at times to know what to say-I want to be mushy, but if I do that could upset him-not good, I want to keep him focused, but without being preachy. These are things I am having to learn to adapt to but I am getting along and I thank all of you for being here. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers and each of you are in mine.

God Bless Each of You and thank God for bringing you to me

SamanthaBrophy

keep your stength
I am proud of you for your strength in such a hard time. I believe that with the love of his family around and the right treatment there is always HOPE. keep by his side and stress talking about what hes feeling. and you of course. the best way to be there for eachother is to understand eachothers fears. I applaud your positive words about who your husband is, you must let him know everyday that you feel this way for him. you and your husband will be in my prayers and i hope that god will not be ready for him to come. good luck
Samantha

BrendaRae

SamanthaBrophy said:

keep your stength
I am proud of you for your strength in such a hard time. I believe that with the love of his family around and the right treatment there is always HOPE. keep by his side and stress talking about what hes feeling. and you of course. the best way to be there for eachother is to understand eachothers fears. I applaud your positive words about who your husband is, you must let him know everyday that you feel this way for him. you and your husband will be in my prayers and i hope that god will not be ready for him to come. good luck
Samantha

Update on my husband's condition-HELP
My husband had a biopsy today and the doctor called me and said his right lung was cancerous but the left lung is clear. He told me that there was no hope but we are not taking this lying down because we know people do without one lung. We feel this is a bureaucratic/system unwillingness to help and listen to how this doctor acted. He did not even bother to tell my husband at all-in fact he has still not told him and I feel he has no intention of telling him. He called me laid it in my lap and hung up abruptly. Something is smelly here-can any of you tell me how to get a second opinion or get steered towards a place who is more caring than a greedy town hospital establishment that may guide us in this matter. God tells me not to take this lying down. I came here for help and I am asking for it so please if any of you can help an uneducated person please do!

BrendaRae

SamanthaBrophy said:

keep your stength
I am proud of you for your strength in such a hard time. I believe that with the love of his family around and the right treatment there is always HOPE. keep by his side and stress talking about what hes feeling. and you of course. the best way to be there for eachother is to understand eachothers fears. I applaud your positive words about who your husband is, you must let him know everyday that you feel this way for him. you and your husband will be in my prayers and i hope that god will not be ready for him to come. good luck
Samantha

Update on my husband's condition-HELP
My husband had a biopsy today and the doctor called me and said his right lung was cancerous but the left lung is clear. He told me that there was no hope but we are not taking this lying down because we know people do without one lung. We feel this is a bureaucratic/system unwillingness to help and listen to how this doctor acted. He did not even bother to tell my husband at all-in fact he has still not told him and I feel he has no intention of telling him. He called me laid it in my lap and hung up abruptly. Something is smelly here-can any of you tell me how to get a second opinion or get steered towards a place who is more caring than a greedy town hospital establishment that may guide us in this matter. God tells me not to take this lying down. I came here for help and I am asking for it so please if any of you can help an uneducated person please do!

Ex_Rock_n_Roller

BrendaRae said:

Update on my husband's condition-HELP
My husband had a biopsy today and the doctor called me and said his right lung was cancerous but the left lung is clear. He told me that there was no hope but we are not taking this lying down because we know people do without one lung. We feel this is a bureaucratic/system unwillingness to help and listen to how this doctor acted. He did not even bother to tell my husband at all-in fact he has still not told him and I feel he has no intention of telling him. He called me laid it in my lap and hung up abruptly. Something is smelly here-can any of you tell me how to get a second opinion or get steered towards a place who is more caring than a greedy town hospital establishment that may guide us in this matter. God tells me not to take this lying down. I came here for help and I am asking for it so please if any of you can help an uneducated person please do!

Your husband's condition
"He told me that there was no hope..."

I've never heard of a doctor using wording that abrupt, especially after an initial diagnosis. Not only do people do with only one lung, people can make do for some time even without the option of removing a cancerous lung. It really sounds like you need an advocate in your area. Can you get hold of a social worker in the hospital? They could probably steer you in the right direction. That's where I'd go.

With the amount of information you've given, I don't think any of us here will be able to do much more than guess.

cabbott

BrendaRae said:

Update on my husband's condition-HELP
My husband had a biopsy today and the doctor called me and said his right lung was cancerous but the left lung is clear. He told me that there was no hope but we are not taking this lying down because we know people do without one lung. We feel this is a bureaucratic/system unwillingness to help and listen to how this doctor acted. He did not even bother to tell my husband at all-in fact he has still not told him and I feel he has no intention of telling him. He called me laid it in my lap and hung up abruptly. Something is smelly here-can any of you tell me how to get a second opinion or get steered towards a place who is more caring than a greedy town hospital establishment that may guide us in this matter. God tells me not to take this lying down. I came here for help and I am asking for it so please if any of you can help an uneducated person please do!

Other test results
Cancer is diagnosed by biopsy. The pathologist and surgeons can look at the cells to see if they look like cancer cells. Cancer cells are regular cells that have gone crazy and they don't look quite the same shape as regular cells. After the doctors figure out that there is cancer, they have to figure out what Kind of cancer they are dealing with. There are many kinds of lung cancer and there are also many cancers of other organs that travel to the lung. Different treatments work on different cancers. They also have to do tests to see how far the cancer has spread. The doctors have to write up reports on all these tests. These reports belong to your husband, so he can get them if he asks. They are written up in medical language so they are sometimes hard for regular folks to understand, but that is where you will find out what you are dealing with.

One common test most folks with cancer have is a PET scan to see how far the cancer has traveled. The test takes about two hours but does not hurt any more than a CAT scan. Cancer cells grow quickly. Growing cells need energy to keep growing. Sugar solutions with some radioactive ingredients are given to the patient to drink. After a set amount of time, the patient is scanned. Spots of cancer light up on the films. That way the doctor can see if the cancer has traveled. If the cancer has moved out of the lung, then doctors do not operate. They will not remove a lung or part of one if the cancer has already left the lung. Lung operations will not stop the spread of cancer if it is already out of the lung and major surgery has its own side effects. Since the operation will not stop the cancer if it is already out of the lung, the operation will not be "worth" the risk of side effects.

Even though doctors will not operate if the cancer is out of the lung, they usually will talk about treatment with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer throughout the body including the lung. Chemotherapy also has side effects, but if the patient is well enough to stand the side effects, it can sometimes reduce the size of the cancer and lengthen the life of the patient. Yes, there are many patients that have lived a long time with lung cancer that has spread. But there are also patients that were not helped by chemotherapy. Good doctors will try their best to do whatever the patient wants, but they do not have a cure, much to my dismay. If they do not believe the benefits of chemotherapy will be worth the side effects of chemotherapy, they will not recommend it. They still should provide some kind of treatment to increase quality of life and reduce pain, right up to the end.

If this doctor cannot communicate with you so that you understand what is going on, see if another medical person can get the reports and explain them to you. Your family doctor may be able to get copies if your husband will sign to share the details with him. Or possibly your local hospital has a medical social worker that could sit down and explain what tests have been done and what the outcome was.

Doctors cannot change the outcome of the tests. They can only report what they have found.But if they don't have a good bedside manner, can't communicate with you, or seem to have given up before you have started to fight, you should get a second opinion. Most insurance companies not only help with second opinions, they require them. Call your insurance company and see who they recommend. And get those reports to someone who can explain them to you.

Good luck!

KLScoville

BrendaRae said:

Yes I know God led me hear because he knows I need people who can help me cope. I am a recluse and will not bore you with the details of my existence or emotional disorders.

I am not throwing in the towel and my husband said a year but I don't know if that is his fear talking but somehow I feel the doctor did not say that.

Read my reply to Diana as I have discovered something call actinomycosis that can appear as masses on the lungs and in similar fashions to those like my husbands. A major factor is bacteria/toxins formed by poor dental health and my husband's mouth in in extreme poor shape and he has been playing with his teeth for some time as if there is something bothering him that has not usually bothered him before. I will just have to wait and see but above all I still hold out hope and I thank God for you and everyone here.

God Bless

a guy thing
Hello Brenda,

Once I read about your husband's mouth I just shook my head. Same thing with my husband Mark. Unfortunately he has stage IV nsclc with adnocarcinoma and mets. He is currently on hospice. As he told the nurses and social worker..."it's a guy thing" in regards to going to the doctors at the first sign something is amiss. I am planning on going on a campaign about this "guy thing" and not going to the doctor to get a regular check-up. There are at least 19 tests every man should take when they are nearing the age of 40.

Presently because of Mark's bad mouth and the cancer he now has thrush which is a yeast infection of the mouth. It has gone down his esphogus (sp?) and I have to puree all his food. If your husband is a fighter then he better make sure he takes care of his mouth too! All the tests, treatments and such are going to reak havic because everything is now out of whack.

This forum I use as my journal with my husband, these people are the most caring, blessed people on here and I am glad I found them on this journey as my husbands caregiver.

May God keep you in this time of trial. God Bless!

~Kelly

Glenna M

BrendaRae said:

Update on my husband's condition-HELP
My husband had a biopsy today and the doctor called me and said his right lung was cancerous but the left lung is clear. He told me that there was no hope but we are not taking this lying down because we know people do without one lung. We feel this is a bureaucratic/system unwillingness to help and listen to how this doctor acted. He did not even bother to tell my husband at all-in fact he has still not told him and I feel he has no intention of telling him. He called me laid it in my lap and hung up abruptly. Something is smelly here-can any of you tell me how to get a second opinion or get steered towards a place who is more caring than a greedy town hospital establishment that may guide us in this matter. God tells me not to take this lying down. I came here for help and I am asking for it so please if any of you can help an uneducated person please do!

Second opinion..
If a doctor told me I only had one year to live before they had done a biopsy and then called and said there was no hope after doing the biopsy I would be seeing another doctor!!

Many people get a second opinion for their own piece of mind, in your case, I would seek a second opinion because this doctor doesn't sound like he is willing to do anything to try to help your husband.

Please keep us updated.

My best to you and your husband.
Glenna

catcon49

Glenna M said:

Second opinion..
If a doctor told me I only had one year to live before they had done a biopsy and then called and said there was no hope after doing the biopsy I would be seeing another doctor!!

Many people get a second opinion for their own piece of mind, in your case, I would seek a second opinion because this doctor doesn't sound like he is willing to do anything to try to help your husband.

Please keep us updated.

My best to you and your husband.
Glenna

Prayers
Prayers on the way.

SamanthaBrophy

cabbott said:

Other test results
Cancer is diagnosed by biopsy. The pathologist and surgeons can look at the cells to see if they look like cancer cells. Cancer cells are regular cells that have gone crazy and they don't look quite the same shape as regular cells. After the doctors figure out that there is cancer, they have to figure out what Kind of cancer they are dealing with. There are many kinds of lung cancer and there are also many cancers of other organs that travel to the lung. Different treatments work on different cancers. They also have to do tests to see how far the cancer has spread. The doctors have to write up reports on all these tests. These reports belong to your husband, so he can get them if he asks. They are written up in medical language so they are sometimes hard for regular folks to understand, but that is where you will find out what you are dealing with.

One common test most folks with cancer have is a PET scan to see how far the cancer has traveled. The test takes about two hours but does not hurt any more than a CAT scan. Cancer cells grow quickly. Growing cells need energy to keep growing. Sugar solutions with some radioactive ingredients are given to the patient to drink. After a set amount of time, the patient is scanned. Spots of cancer light up on the films. That way the doctor can see if the cancer has traveled. If the cancer has moved out of the lung, then doctors do not operate. They will not remove a lung or part of one if the cancer has already left the lung. Lung operations will not stop the spread of cancer if it is already out of the lung and major surgery has its own side effects. Since the operation will not stop the cancer if it is already out of the lung, the operation will not be "worth" the risk of side effects.

Even though doctors will not operate if the cancer is out of the lung, they usually will talk about treatment with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer throughout the body including the lung. Chemotherapy also has side effects, but if the patient is well enough to stand the side effects, it can sometimes reduce the size of the cancer and lengthen the life of the patient. Yes, there are many patients that have lived a long time with lung cancer that has spread. But there are also patients that were not helped by chemotherapy. Good doctors will try their best to do whatever the patient wants, but they do not have a cure, much to my dismay. If they do not believe the benefits of chemotherapy will be worth the side effects of chemotherapy, they will not recommend it. They still should provide some kind of treatment to increase quality of life and reduce pain, right up to the end.

If this doctor cannot communicate with you so that you understand what is going on, see if another medical person can get the reports and explain them to you. Your family doctor may be able to get copies if your husband will sign to share the details with him. Or possibly your local hospital has a medical social worker that could sit down and explain what tests have been done and what the outcome was.

Doctors cannot change the outcome of the tests. They can only report what they have found.But if they don't have a good bedside manner, can't communicate with you, or seem to have given up before you have started to fight, you should get a second opinion. Most insurance companies not only help with second opinions, they require them. Call your insurance company and see who they recommend. And get those reports to someone who can explain them to you.

Good luck!

CABBOTT
I just wanted to say thanks. You have probably helped her who knew to contact your insurance company. Also i was wondering about something you said. You said that if the cancer has spread from the lung they wont opperate because its inneffective. But i was wondering, my mother in law has a 5cm mass in one lung and small bits in the other. I was wondering if its possible for chemo and radiation to shrink or get rid of the bits in the one lung so the other lung is opperable? Is it even possible for chemo or radiation to get rid of cancer cells or does it just shrink it? Im sorry im still trying to understand so much so fast.

Thanks Samantha

JUDYV5

SamanthaBrophy said:

CABBOTT
I just wanted to say thanks. You have probably helped her who knew to contact your insurance company. Also i was wondering about something you said. You said that if the cancer has spread from the lung they wont opperate because its inneffective. But i was wondering, my mother in law has a 5cm mass in one lung and small bits in the other. I was wondering if its possible for chemo and radiation to shrink or get rid of the bits in the one lung so the other lung is opperable? Is it even possible for chemo or radiation to get rid of cancer cells or does it just shrink it? Im sorry im still trying to understand so much so fast.

Thanks Samantha

Samantha
I was told that for the cancer to totally disappear from the chemo is very rare. What happens (if the chemo is effective). It will shrink it. If it shrinks over 25% it is called partial remission. People can stay in partial remission for "months", however, they will grow back.

SamanthaBrophy

JUDYV5 said:

Samantha
I was told that for the cancer to totally disappear from the chemo is very rare. What happens (if the chemo is effective). It will shrink it. If it shrinks over 25% it is called partial remission. People can stay in partial remission for "months", however, they will grow back.

JUDYV5
Thanks so much for you input. its hard trying to take in all the information when you have so many questions. So if she has lung cancer now and they tell us that they cant operate then chances are she is going to have cancer in her lung for the rest of her life. does that mean she can live years still if her cancer goes into remission then comes back and she does the treatment again and it goes into remission again. is that possible, or is she going to get treatment now and if she goes into remission she'll be ok until it comes back? can you have chemo and radiation over and over for the same cancer if its working??????????
Samantha

Ex_Rock_n_Roller

SamanthaBrophy said:

JUDYV5
Thanks so much for you input. its hard trying to take in all the information when you have so many questions. So if she has lung cancer now and they tell us that they cant operate then chances are she is going to have cancer in her lung for the rest of her life. does that mean she can live years still if her cancer goes into remission then comes back and she does the treatment again and it goes into remission again. is that possible, or is she going to get treatment now and if she goes into remission she'll be ok until it comes back? can you have chemo and radiation over and over for the same cancer if its working??????????
Samantha

"Can you have chemo and radiation over and over for the same cancer if its working?"

If it were working, you wouldn't need to have it over and over. The short answer to that is definitely not for radiation -- it does too much damage. From what I understand, it's typically one and done with that, although when I asked my radiologist, he said, "Maybe, if your really beg me" (this guy has a sense of humor). But I'm pretty sure you can't have the same location irradiated more than once. They hit it as hard as you can stand the first time.

I'm no expert on chemo, but the first-line treatment will also wreak some pretty heavy damage on you. I think they typically come back at it with different agents, but even that has its limits.

grannylove

Good advice
I am in agreement with the others here, that you definitely need to get a second opinion. This present Dr. needs a class in bedside manners, at the least. Most hospitals have a social worker or a patient advocate that you can call and get some one-on-one. Please do not hesitate to call! Time is of the essence. You and hubby need to know about his condition so don't be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions when it comes to life and death decisions. God bless and keep us posted!

BrendaRae

grannylove said:

Good advice
I am in agreement with the others here, that you definitely need to get a second opinion. This present Dr. needs a class in bedside manners, at the least. Most hospitals have a social worker or a patient advocate that you can call and get some one-on-one. Please do not hesitate to call! Time is of the essence. You and hubby need to know about his condition so don't be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions when it comes to life and death decisions. God bless and keep us posted!

My husband is at home now
Hello all;
it has been a while since I have posted, but you all have been good to me and i wanted to update you.
My husband is home now after being in the hospital almost 6 weeks undergoing treatment. It was hell let me tell you hell-for him and me. What upsets me is that we have never really been given any clear cut responses-findings have wavered back and forth-it just seems so swooning-they either know or they don't. They treated my husband but have never really "told" him anything-they treated him like crap-his nerves are shot. When I went to visit on the one occasion they acted like I wasn't even there. It just seems so unfair to treat anyone like this. But, since he has been home he is calm peaceful and has not had any pain whatsoever. Home care was offered but they acted like they really didn't even want to extend that. We have chosen to go on our own as we have in any storm we have weathered. Sometimes I don't know what to think, but I do know that many of you here believe in God's power and my heart tells me do not fear that God is with us-I think my husband are entering into "that part of our journey that couples who are so deeply in love enter into" many don't understand nor can you really explain it but I am at peace in knowing that no matter what black marks we have received God has promised we will never have to be apart because he knows we cannot survive without the other. We may have a dark cloud called cancer over us but somehow I feel that it is not going to be our doom and that something more beautiful is coming to set us free. I hope this brings others peace as well.