Dad

The "waiting game"
Sorry to hear that your dad has cancer but you have come to the right place for answers and encouragement.

Unfortunately you will learn that you do a lot of waiting for test results during the journey through cancer treatment. I know 5 weeks sounds like forever but your dad's doctors need all the test results before they can determine the correct treatment plan for him. Has he already had a biopsy??

I was diagnosed on May 19,2009 and underwent every test and scan available before starting treatment on June 23rd so 5 weeks doesn't sound too unusual. Mine is NSCLC and Laryngeal cancer.

Stay calm and keep us updated please.

Glenna

AlanRinHBG said:

Dad
When you said "camera down throat", I am guessing you meant mediastinoscopy. It may be done at the same time they do a bronchoscopy. That is pretty standard procedure for new lung cancer patients. They want a view of trachia, bronchial tubes, and as much airway as they can look at. The mediastinoscopy gives them a look at the outside area of the tubes and lymph nodes in that area. The information is used for presurgery and diagnostic reasons. They can also get tissue samples with the bronchoscopy. They did that to me and it was pretty easy. Done as outpatient and home same day. Pathology time varies but should have results in a week or less. Always ask plenty of questions. Write them down so you won't forget. They should spell it out for you. AlanRinHBG

Dad
Do they put you out when they do a bronchoscopy?

Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

Nope ...
... at least I wasn't, nor was anybody I have heard of. They make you inhale some anesthetic-laden gas for maybe 10 minutes, and then make you snort in some more of the same in kind of a gel format. It works pretty well; I didn't have more than the mildest discomfort. Supposedly there aren't a whole lot of nerve endings most places they go, although I have talked to a few people who didn't find it that enjoyable. For me it was not at all painful, and actually kind of interesting, in the circumstances (they let me look at the screen).

got knocked out
They put me under general anastesia. They did for colonoscopy too. I wanted to watch the monitor to see what they saw.( not the colon thing). Dr. said they would take pictures along the way to show me when I go back for findings. I think I'd rather be out because they use a breathing tube. At least they did with me. Probably because they thought there might be other work to do in there. It was all OK.

deltafun said:

Dad
Do they put you out when they do a bronchoscopy?

nope
And my doctor got a swift kick hate those tests!
Medi

rkristynne said:

need some encouragement..
Hi Glenna M, My dad was diagnosed with stage3A NSCLC last April 7,2011, we've already done 2 sessions of chemotherapy using carboplatin and then on June 20 he'll be having the 3rd session, he also underwent radiotherapy for 25 days, and it'll last on June 15, I just want to know what I need to expect about his cancer, how did you coped with it?knowing that you've survived with it really made my hopes high, I need some encouragements and good stories from you if it's ok Glenna, Thank you so much.

rkristynne
Sorry it took me so long to respond to your questions but it's been a hectic week here.

My treatment plan was different than your dad's but that is not unusual, especially since they were treating 2 different cancers at the same time. I received cisplatin in 3 week cycles and 35 radiation treatments, I then had 4 stereotactic radiosurgery (this is a more targeted radiation treatment) for the lung tumor. This was in the summer of '09 so needless to say I was pretty much laid up for the summer, mostly from fatigue and some nausea.

I coped with treatment and recovery with the help of a wonderful and encouraging family and by coming to this site with any questions I had. Reading many of the posts here is how I finally came to realize that cancer is not an automatic death sentence. There are so many new drugs and treatment plans available now to help us beat this horrible disease. After the initial shock of the diagnosis had passed I tried to keep my spirits up and stay positive. My radiation oncologist said he wished everyone could respond to treatment as well as I had and he felt a lot of it had to do with my attitude. I managed to keep a positive attitude throughout my entire treatment and did not allow myself to get depressed.

I'm 21 months post treatment and doing well, to look at me you would not realize that I had been so sick. The treatment is rough but the outcome is worth it!!!

Your dad still has a ways to go before all the side effects, if he is having any, will pass and he will begin to get stronger each week.

Please stay in touch and let us know how your dad and you are both doing.

Stay strong and stay positive!!!
Glenna

Hello glenna,im sorry if it
Hello glenna,im sorry if it took so long for me to respond,evrything happened very fast and it's so sad for me to let u know that my dad already pass away last aug4,2011,its has been a tough fight for the family but we all know that's his fate and there's nothing more that we can do about it. Still i wish u gud health and wishing u more happy days ahead