Husband Stage 3B Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Ladylacy said:

Husband

I am like you right now.  My husband first was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer for which he underwent 35 radiation, 3 chemo and then total laryngectomy in March 2011.  NED for a year.  Then when having a procedure done, they found a tumor at the cervical of his esophagus.  Doctors said second primary.  Another 35 radiation and 7 chemo.  NED for about 3-4 months.  Then a PET/CT scan showed a reoccurrence of cancer at the cervical of his esophagus, much larger this time, but also spread to his right lung.  Very small nodules that at first they thought they couldn't biopsy but were able to which caused his right lung to collapse and he spent several days in the hospital.  We were told surgery was out due to spread as was radiation due to all of his previous radiation.  Only chemo for which it would only prolong, possibly hasten and not cure.  Three doctors told us this (2 at a cancer center).  Also we were told that since he wasn't having any symptons, they wouldn't do chemo now.  I found that so hard to believe since they knew the cancer was in two places.  All this was in January/February of this year.  We weren't given any time because the doctors said they just didn't know.  Well my husband decided he wanted quality over quantity of the time he had left.

To date he is doing fairly good.  Not much pain and what pain he has is controlled with pain medication.  He has a hard time eating so relies on his PEG tube and rarely eats regular food then it is a very small amount and without the PEG tube I don't know where he would be now.  The only difference I see now is that his energy level is low and he doesn't do that much anymore.  But I look at him and I wonder how long and will it be like all of a sudden and he just goes downhill real fast.  Up until he was diagnosed first in late July 2010 he was a very active 73 year old and could do what he wanted.  He still works in the yard but has to rest a lot but our yard still looks great.  He still drives but only if he has had no pain medication so I find him holding off his pain medication if he needs to go to Lowe's or Home Depot.  He has no cough.

Wishing you and your husband the best.  Sharon

thanks for sharing it would be so nice if the doctors could tell you more of what to expect, my husband is 68 and looking at him he seems fine other then the cough and a little tired its just so scary as both his best freinds died in the same year of cancer and went so fast - one of them opted for no treatment and the other had all treatment available including surgery but did not seem to prolong his life and i remember watching them both and it was almost as if one week they were fine and laughing like my husband and then they were gone. im 20 years younger then my husband we have been together 16 years and i lost my father, my brother and my son all in one year and just cannot imagine not being with my husband in 6 months or a couple years from now. i also take care of his 88 year old mother and we have not told her he is sick

our daughter runs our business for us since he got sick last year so at least i get to be with him 24 hours a day and with his lung collasped now i am afraid to be away from him at all i just want so bad to help him and make it all better - we go back for another pet scan at end of July the waiting is just terrible

thanks

april