Dad Can't have normal Chemo scared the chemo he will get wont do the Job!

formydad06
formydad06 Member Posts: 6
in Lung Cancer #1
My Dad had a very small spot on his Lung back in July 2011 they removed that small spot and had placed a radiation patch in the lung... May of 2012 the PEP scan showed that the cancer is back in the same lung and in several spots. he also has one node affected and four weeks ago we found out he had 5 small tumors on his brain. He went through 3 weeks of full head radiation. July 20th we saw his Dr. and he said let's give him a week or so of a break. But now he is coughing up Blood and they think that a tumor may be bleeding. My dad can't have normal chemo. His lungs are sooo weak and frail that the dr. said that the normal chemo you and i would get would kill him.... Once he can start chemo he will go once every three weeks for 10mins... I feel he keeps getting some new symptom and they have to keep pushing off his chemo. and i am afraid by the time they start the chemo will it be to late since he is getting something different? The Dr's never told us the "stage" they just say it's aggressive and very active. I feel like my dad is just going down... He is losing 6-8 pounds a week, his left side from the hip on down has lost strength. Anyone Else or know anyone else that had any of these issues or someone that couldn't have normal chemo because the lungs were so weak and Damaged? I just don't know what to expect. My Dad spiritual is doing great he says that the treatments are just to help him live better and prolong his life... How much can a body take of this before it says hey i cant do it anymore! There is just so much i am not sure on and it's all new to me!

Comments

  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #2
    Welcome to the CSN website
    So sorry for the necessity that drives you here. Do you know if your dad has small cell (sclc) or non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc). I can tell you one thing, and after I do, please do not look up any statistics because they are based on treatments that are out of date for the most part. Because his cancer has metastasized to his brain it is more advanced, if it is small cell it is considered extensive. If it is non-small cell he is stage 4. In order to answer your question, I am going to make some assumptions that could be incorrect.

    Your doctor says that it is very aggressive and active which is suggestive of small cell cancer. Let me restate, I CAN BE WRONG. If it is small cell, and the cancer is responsive to treatment, you can expect that it will respond more fully than a nsclc might. That is the nature of sclc. If it turns out that he has nsclc then I have no idea.
  • formydad06
    formydad06 Member Posts: 6
    #3
    dennycee said:

    Welcome to the CSN website
    So sorry for the necessity that drives you here. Do you know if your dad has small cell (sclc) or non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc). I can tell you one thing, and after I do, please do not look up any statistics because they are based on treatments that are out of date for the most part. Because his cancer has metastasized to his brain it is more advanced, if it is small cell it is considered extensive. If it is non-small cell he is stage 4. In order to answer your question, I am going to make some assumptions that could be incorrect.

    Your doctor says that it is very aggressive and active which is suggestive of small cell cancer. Let me restate, I CAN BE WRONG. If it is small cell, and the cancer is responsive to treatment, you can expect that it will respond more fully than a nsclc might. That is the nature of sclc. If it turns out that he has nsclc then I have no idea.

    Thanks Dennycee... My dad on
    Thanks Dennycee... My dad on July 24th was taken into the ER. He couldnt hold anything down and started to be alittle confused. They had to admit him to the hospital and they found out one of the tumors in the lung is on laying on a main artery.. And another tumor is in the wall of the lung and its collapping his lung. July 26th he was placed in hospice care. He had two really good days now he is just sleeping... This is the hardest thing to watch though! But thank you for your answer.
  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #4
    formydad06 said:

    Thanks Dennycee... My dad on
    Thanks Dennycee... My dad on July 24th was taken into the ER. He couldnt hold anything down and started to be alittle confused. They had to admit him to the hospital and they found out one of the tumors in the lung is on laying on a main artery.. And another tumor is in the wall of the lung and its collapping his lung. July 26th he was placed in hospice care. He had two really good days now he is just sleeping... This is the hardest thing to watch though! But thank you for your answer.

    This is a really hard time.
    My heart goes out to you and your family. I have been through this with my mom. She had the same cancer I now have. Talk to him, tell him you love him. Part of him may hear. If he has a bolus for pain, don't be afraid to give him the extra dose for pain. You can;t OD him but you can help keep him comfortable. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
  • formydad06
    formydad06 Member Posts: 6
    #5
    dennycee said:

    This is a really hard time.
    My heart goes out to you and your family. I have been through this with my mom. She had the same cancer I now have. Talk to him, tell him you love him. Part of him may hear. If he has a bolus for pain, don't be afraid to give him the extra dose for pain. You can;t OD him but you can help keep him comfortable. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Thanks Dennycee... My dad
    Thanks Dennycee... My dad did pass away very peacfully on Monday July 30th. It's been hard to deal with but i have to remember he is in a better place and not suffering. I pray everything goes well with you! If you ever need someone to talk to you can catch me on here or my email is mslisa1077@gmail. good luck and ill keep praying for you also
  • formydad06
    formydad06 Member Posts: 6
    #6
    dennycee said:

    This is a really hard time.
    My heart goes out to you and your family. I have been through this with my mom. She had the same cancer I now have. Talk to him, tell him you love him. Part of him may hear. If he has a bolus for pain, don't be afraid to give him the extra dose for pain. You can;t OD him but you can help keep him comfortable. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Thanks Dennycee... My dad
    Thanks Dennycee... My dad did pass away very peacfully on Monday July 30th. It's been hard to deal with but i have to remember he is in a better place and not suffering. I pray everything goes well with you! If you ever need someone to talk to you can catch me on here or my email is mslisa1077@gmail. good luck and ill keep praying for you also
  • formydad06
    formydad06 Member Posts: 6
    #7
    dennycee said:

    This is a really hard time.
    My heart goes out to you and your family. I have been through this with my mom. She had the same cancer I now have. Talk to him, tell him you love him. Part of him may hear. If he has a bolus for pain, don't be afraid to give him the extra dose for pain. You can;t OD him but you can help keep him comfortable. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Thanks Dennycee... My dad
    Thanks Dennycee... My dad did pass away very peacfully on Monday July 30th. It's been hard to deal with but i have to remember he is in a better place and not suffering. I pray everything goes well with you! If you ever need someone to talk to you can catch me on here or my email is mslisa1077@gmail. good luck and ill keep praying for you also
  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #8
    formydad06 said:

    Thanks Dennycee... My dad
    Thanks Dennycee... My dad did pass away very peacfully on Monday July 30th. It's been hard to deal with but i have to remember he is in a better place and not suffering. I pray everything goes well with you! If you ever need someone to talk to you can catch me on here or my email is mslisa1077@gmail. good luck and ill keep praying for you also

    My condolances
    I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is one of the most difficult losses we all face. From your writing, I know you were close. I am certain he was proud of you. I invite you to please check in from time to time on this board. As one of your dad's caretakers your experience can help others as well. I can understand if you want to wait a while.

    You are an amazing woman to think of, and reach out to me at this time.

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