treatment advice for stage 3 small cell lung ca inoperable

PJ47
PJ47 Member Posts: 376
in Lung Cancer #1

Hello,

I am seeking advice for tips on how to survive the treatments (Chemo & Radiation) for a family member who was recently diagnosed with stage 3 small cell lung cancer and is going to start chemo (Carboplatin) and radiation soon.  His tumor is near his aorta so it is inoperable and his esophagus will be effected.  Having myself gone through treatment for stage 4 bot scc 3 years ago, I have some knowledge of what he will be facing, but would love to have more accurate advice from those of you who are or have gone through small cell lung cancer treatment.  If you can point me to a good resource that would be helpfl also.  Thank you in advance,

PJ

Comments

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    edited February 2017 #2
    Here's a few tips

     

    Hey there. My husband has/had squamous NSCLC stage 3b. Although it was non small cell, his tumor as also close to the heart and esophagus so I can give a couple of tips that may help.

     

    One, their esophagus may get burned from the radiation. This happened to my husband. Thing here is to be on top of it asap. Have them tell the treatment team immediately of any pain in swallowing. There are options to help with this. My husband ended up so bad hi was on liquid dilaudid. He would drink this then when it kick in he would try to get some Boost in him. He was very close to needing a feeding tube. He lost 40 lbs  in 4 weeks so ya it can it get bad.  Eating well and as much as they can while they can is important. Usually a high protein diet is recommended but they can always run that by their treatment team. When the burning happened we really had to experiement with different foods that he could eat and they did not always make sense. You have to keep in mind  the make of of the foods and he natural chemicals as they can really hurt on the way down so it is not just the texture. An example was guacamole. This was the most painful experience hubby ever had yet homemade shredded hashbrowns fried in lost of butter worked.

     

    And as you know keeping hydrated during chemo is also key. Water, water, water.

     

    I wish I had more but everyone reacts so differently but I hope this helps somewhat.

     

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #3
    thank you Bill

    If you have a chance let me know when the problems with his esophagus presented.  My family member starts IMRT 2/15.  Thank you,

    PJ

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    edited February 2017 #4
    First he felt

    First he felt just a nagging feeling in his throat, notquite like a lump he says. Then it developed into constant discomfort which would turn into "razor blades and barbed wire" when he ate. He just told me that is why he choose not to eat. Literally choosing to starve to death rather than eat. To help put things into extra perspective, he also has chronic pain from no femoral artery in his left leg and severe nerve damage from dr's trying to replace that artery 4 times so ya he knows pain. No trying to scare you or your family but not wanting to hide the truth and why t is so important to stay on top of this.

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