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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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 Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi everyone,
My father is 76 years old and was diagnosed with lung cancer this Monday. He had a CEA tumor marker exam that was elevated and started to look for the tumor (he is a doctor). Now he found it it his lung. The doctors believe it's a stage I (2,6 cm) and it's peripheral, so he will have the surgery this Friday to remove one lobe of his lung and send it to the pathology to determine the nature of the tumor, although doctors belive it's a non small cell adenocarcinoma.
He is really scared, especially because as a doctor he knows exactly what can happen to him as well as the pain that follows that surgery. He is also scared with the pathology results. He used to be a smoker but quit 27 years ago when I was born.
I'm trying to keep optimistic, 'm glad he's able to do the surgery cause his doctors told me that can lead to a complete cure. Sometimes I keep thinking about the worst, like I'm preparing myself in case something bad happpens.
Anyway, I'm glad I found this site so I can share it with you, going through similar paths. Thanks for listening.
Love,
Roberta |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5612
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:35 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Roberta, I am so sorry about your father's lung cancer... although until the have the pathology report they cannot be 100% sure that it is cancer. If it is stage I, he does have a good chance of living a long time.
I too know a lot more than the average person about cancers. Sometimes, I feel that knowledge is a curse but most of the time I am glad because I am better able to make truly informed decisions.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54 |
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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:33 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Thanks Jim!
The doctors are quite sure it is cancer because of his tumor marker results, which were 9.6, but they are optimistic about the size and the location of it. So, if there aren't any surprises inside, (knock on wood), indeed his chances are really good.
Anyway, I'll keep you informed!
XOXO
Roberta |
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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Well, my dad had his surgery today. It went very well and the tumor was removed. The surgeon found a compromised lynphonode though, and they will have to wait for the pathology results, but he most likely will have to do chemo...
Well, doctors said that his chance of total cure are high, so, even though the chemo we are all very happy and optimistic right now.
He was feeling well after the surgery, not feeling pain for now. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5612
Location: Tennessee
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 2396
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Roberta,
Hurray!! Glad they didn't find too much more involvement and they feel that a little chemo will help clean up the other cancer cells.
Many wishes and prayers for a smooth recovery.
Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Thanks guys!
He is recovering very well and the doctors thatsaw his new X ray said it's very very good. Now we're waiting till Monday to hear what the pathology have to say about the follow up treatment. I thought he would be really pissed to have to do chemo, but he seems to taking it well. I guess he's just happy that he's alive with a big chance of being cured. He was that kind of person that never gets sick and he thought he would never die, so the news kind of shook him to the core.
Tomorrow is his birthday so we're celebrating in the hospital, he's allowed to have unlimited visitation time now and I'm taking some cake.
Ah! Do any of you guys know about the pain medication causing an itching? The doctors said it was normal, that it was either the pain or the itching, so he decided to keep the itch going  |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 2396
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi Roberta,
Hope your Dad had a nice little party for his birthday. My husband was also in the hospital for his birthday the day after his surgery.
Any word yet on the path reports from the nodes?
My husband didn't have itching, but I think your Dad is a smart cookie to take the itching over the pain.
Best wishes and hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi!
We'll have the results on Wednesday and he'll see an oncologist when he leaves to determine what to do next. Yesterday he wasn't feeling so well, lots of nausea and difficulty going to the bathroom (for number 2), but things are ok now! The doctors found out that the reason of the itching is that he's allergic to the bandages, and since he's now removed from all his "wires" is getting better.
He is probably going home in two days! Yay!!!! |
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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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| Updates: Dad went home on Wednesday, he was planned to go on Thursday but he tried to escape in his PJs, so he went on Wednesday... Stood two days at home. Yesterday he went to the bathroom and had some difficulty, pushed it to hard and had some sort of complication in his lungs, liquid in the lung I guess. He will now have to stay in the hospital until Monday. No results on the pathology yet. |
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simplyklb
Senior User
Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 334
Location: Near Kansas City MO
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi Roberta,
I am sorry that your dad ended up back in the hospital.  Lots of good thoughts and prayers for you and your Dad.
Kristi
_________________
Dad - Andy, 70, diagnosed with SCLC in May 2008
2/20/38 - 10/15/08 Fly high, Dad!
Mom - Jackie, 67, diagnosed with NSCLC in May 2008 |
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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Ok, pathology results are out. The big lymph node turned out to be clean, there is a small one that was positive, but it was very small and near the tumor, so he is now classified as a T1N1, which is a stage II I guess.
Well, he is the hospital recovering from his latest mess, seems that there is some air and fluid in the lung, but it's stable and the doctors think that it will heal itself, no need to drain it. That's good.
He has an appointment with his surgeon on Thursday. The surgeon will then recommend an oncologist to take care of the chemo, he'll probably do three rounds, not sure of the drugs he'll use, though.
The prognostic seems to be very good, I'll keep you guys posted when I have more news! |
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koikkeril
Super Moderator
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
Posts: 352
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hello
Sorry for a late hello but I have been following your post. Great news that the lymph node was clear and the hospital is following up with some chemo. He sounds like a character trying to escape with his pyjamas, I hope he stays still for Monday, not so long to go
Glad to know you will keep us updated, I will keep you also in my prayers.
God Bless, Koik |
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robertacastello
Regular
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi everybody,
It's been a while since I last posted, thing were a little mad... Well, it's been a month since my father had the surgery and he'll start his chemo next week, he'll have 4 rounds.
His overall health seems o be all right but now he's fighting a severe depression and a bad case of anorexia (probably caused by the depression). He's been seen a psychiatrists and is on anti depressives. Yesterday I took him to a nutritionist and she gave him one bottle of Calogen a day because he lost lots of muscular tissue due to not eating properly and has been feeling very week.
Other than that, he seem to be doing all right in the cancer department. Let's see how the chemo goes, 'll keep you guys posted again for now on. If any of you have stories or tips about fighting the anorexia, please share it!
XXX
Roberta |
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koikkeril
Super Moderator
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
Posts: 352
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| Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hello there Roberto
Glad you have come back to us.. 
I am sorry about your fathers depression, but i am not surprised due to all the uncertainly that must be in his head...I am sure he must wonder what is going to happen if and when and what!
Is there anything that he particularly enjoys..movie..playing cards anything to distract him from the dark hole his is stuck in?
Surgery alone is depressive and some of us also get depressed with post operative depression, after all its quiet traumatic..
Perhaps when chemo starts and he gets through the first one or two he may just pick up a little because he could also be anxious of this?
I guess you have tried all his favorite foods and how about those take aways..my husband found chicken and sweet corn soup appealing. It is just finding that crazy smell/flavour to start off the appetite.
For my husband it was steroids..makes you hungry and fatter..  But they are given for anti inflammatory..
Hope you find the method for putting on his weight..
God Bless, I will be thinking of you...Koik
_________________
Husband diagnosed with stage 1V NSCLC Febuary 2007.....Lost his battle August 27th 2008 but lives on in my heart. |
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