My Sister NSCLC T3 Age 45

samchaney · Regular Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 35

I am so worried for my sister. She has been diagnosed with NSCLC T3. Then she had PET scan and t hey said it had spread to her adrenal glands and lymph nodes in chest. She is on morphine and in such pain. She looks awful. She has anorexia and Rheumatoid arthritis and is just so weak. They can't operate and she starts radiotherapy tomorrow.

She was really sick after the PET scan, came out in a wheelchair and has been in bed most days since.

The McMillan Nurse has told her to take whatever she needs to take to kill the pain.

Her youngest child is only 9 years old and she hasn't told any of her children. I saw her two weeks ago and she is going downhill fast. Had to call out emergency doctor as she was in so much pain. she was given shot of morphine. My gut instinct tells me it is not long. HELP

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 741 Location: UK

Hi, Sam, I am sorry to read of your sister's situation. It is clearly difficult.

One thing that did immediately come to mind is that her children have not been told, and that it will be an appalling shock to them if anything happens and they are not ready for it. I suspect that they probably have some kind of inkling, but can you persuade her to talk to them about what is happening?

ksplat · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: My Sister NSCLC T3 Age 45

Dear Sam

My God, I am so sorry to hear about yr Sister & her current health deterioration. I too have a 9yr old & my heart is aching for your Sister. So sad for you all, please know my prayers & thoughts are with you all.

Do you think there is any chance of her condition improving with treatment/medicine? I pray the radiotherapy will be of benefit to her overall condition. I pray she can find a pain killer that will treat the pain, constant pain is the most debilitating to endure, it she can resolve this area then I'm certain she will pick up a little.

What has yr Sister told you about her prognosis, perhaps you should be asking her the "hard" questions. I can understand her wanting to protect her young children from bad/sad news, but I do believe they need to be prepared in some way if the worst should happen, they will be devastated if they weren't told anything & heaven forbid something dire happens to their Mother! Does she have support of a Partner?

I know people who have fought through what seems like the impossible. I pray this is the case for your Sis!

Thinking of you, Angie.
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1124

Sam,

I also wish to extend my concern for you and especially your sister and her family. She does have late stage cancer and really should consider letting her children know that she's in a fight for her life.

I hope her treatment helps ease her pain and that she gains strength to be able to undergo chemotherapy. Radiation will only kill the cancer that it is directed at, not the rest of what is in her body. She needs to understand that her survival will depend on her gaining weight.

I'm sorry and this breaks my heart to hear of yet another young person with this disease.

May God be with all of you and give her strength to fight and wisdom to help with telling her children.

Best wishes,
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

Nurse Penfold · Regular Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 16

Sam,My heart breaks for you and your family and although you must be going through such a terrible time you must be strong for her children. Believe me, my family are proof that children can come out of the other end of a tragic time such as terminal illness and loss of a parent quite well adjusted. BUT it takes strengh and determination from family members and bravery like you have never before had to face. We got such amazing advise from http://www.winstonswish.org.uk. PLEASE look at their website. Where are you living as I have lots of books that I can send you which will help. Our girls are 10 and 8 years and we are still a happy, strong family unit because of TW's determination not to let his cancer destroy the people he loved most.

Thoughts are with you, Julie

koikkeril · Moderator Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 311

Sam, I am so sad to hear the news of your sister with late stage cancer. My heart pours out to you all. I am also a caring for my husband who has NSCLC and spread. You are really going to have to be a strong angle for those children. Its going to be a hell of a ride for you all, so be prepared for the rollercoaster and try to stay strong.
Its natural to be scared. We are all frightened of what we dont know and the journey you are about to begin is just that, take each day, one day at a time, because believe me every day is different. Take pen to paper before you visit the oncologist, because we all have the questions after we get home. Ask the oncologist about the operation, where the tumour is, the size and ask to see the scan and let them explain where, what and what can be done if anything. Dont be worried about asking the same question twice, we never take it all in to begin with.
I hope soon your sister finds the strength to tell the children, as its better they face it straight on than worry behind shut doors what is wrong with there mum!
My husband is also on morphine and they thought my husband would live one or two days and this was 3 weeks ago, he is still ticking on. They have only just regulated the correct morphine level which is needed for his level of pain.
If your sister is not a good eater, try two natural yogurts in a tall glass add sugar and water and mix (lassi) I found this good and it stopped my husband being sick because yogurt neutralizes the acid in the stomach. i have even given neat natural yogurt at the point of him trying to reach and it has stopped his nausea within 2/3 mins. Hope this snipit helps.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers, God be with you. koik

samchaney · Regular Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 35

My poor sister had her first radiotherapy treatment yesterday and has been so terribly sick. She has been up most of the night being sick. She eventually had to call a doctor out to give her anti-sickness injection. Will they still continue to give her radiotherapy if she is so sick. She is back in today for some more radiotherapy.

She has gone downhill so fast. I am scared she will become dehydrated.

maryaz · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:16 am Post subject: Re: My Sister NSCLC T3 Age 45

I cannot offer much as I am not as well versed on the subject. It also breaks my heart especially so when children are involved. I do agree that children should know.

I am wondering if you are with her or just talking on the phone. I want to ask who is going thru this with her. My husband just went thru chemo and radiation and it was very aggresive treatment. There are things that need done such as drinking to not become dehydrated and other things that someone else can help keep track of.

The picture seems strange. I am just suggesting that maybe someone needs to be working this with her. Maybe she is not doing everything or remembering everything that she should. I don't mean in a negative way. My husband would get so sick and not think so straight. He needed to take certain meds before and after treatments.

I just mention that as an idea. I know just anyone cannot talk to a doctor but can you talk to someone besides your sister about her diagnosis, that knows exactly what she has been told.

Best of luck to you and I will pray for you and your sister and family.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
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