My 65 year old Dad, Lung Cancer

lynnedbird · New User Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 5

Wow the last couple weeks have just flew by. On Aug 7th the put heart monitors on my dad and did an xray and thought he was having heart problems cause of breathing and pain in chest. Tues they call my mom and want to see him immediatly on wed morning. Found a mass in left lung that was causing problems. Hospitalized him wed and starting running test, he had cat scans, pet scans, mri etc. at first doc said stage 3b then moved it to stage 4. He has a mass 10 cm on bottom lobe of lung and 3.8 cm on top of lung and into his lympnodes. Nothiing anywhere else. IT is non small cell Squamous cell!! Sorry this is so long, But i have many questions and am very scared. They say this can be controlled, how long can it be controlled, i know everyone is different, but some kind of timeline would be nice to know. He started first chemo on Wed, Aug 23, and so far it went well. How soon before hair loss if any, and other things that happen and what do i have to look for. My kids and sisters kids have questions bout grandpa and we are not sure how to answer them. Any good ideas on how to answer their questions without them getting scared, i think the adults are scared enough). My dad had lost 30 pounds before found out he had cancer so his performance is not good enough for them to do both chemo and radiation right now tell he gains weight and gets stronger, well how does this happen if chemo knocks down so bad. I am very sorry this is so long, just still processing and scared. THanks!!! Lynn

isidella

Hello L-bird,
i am very sorry this is happening to your family. The disease, especially the diagnosis is a whirlwind of emotions. Most of your questions cannot be answered in a straightforward way. Hair loss may or may not occur, but go ahead and expect to see it after the first round of chemo.

To control stage 4 nsclc is very difficult. the average survival is bleak even with chemo and rads. But keep hope alive. Some people do very well and there are long term survivors. The positive attitude is key. Once someone believes they are dying, they usually do.

Make sure your father does everything in his power to eat well. the weight loss can be devestating because once the strength is lost the quality of life plummets. Make sure he is staying active and doing the things he wants to do because you don't know what tomorrow will bring. I wish I could say everything will be fine, but it is very serious. But please stay optimistic for as long as you can.
Take care of yourself,
Isidella

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