My sisters children have been told and I feel so down

samchaney · Regular Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 36

My sister's children have been told that she has lung cancer and she seems to have perked up a bit since her medication has been changed and she was suffering from terrible constipation and nausea.

She is having three more does of radiotherapy this week and I hope things improve for her.

I am going to see in her two weeks and stay for the weekend.

For some reason it has all made me feel a bit tearful and down, is this normal.

simplyklb

Yes, Sam, it is normal. Do you have a support system in place for yourself? It is always helpful to talk to someone about what you are going thru.

Kristi

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1138

Kristi gave the answer -- yes, quite normal.

God bless you Sam as you look forward to a visit with your sister. This will come to mean so much to you as time goes by. I'm glad to hear she is feeling a little bit better and glad that the children are now aware what is going on with her. I remember that nightmare and my kids were young adults.

God go with you friend.

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

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 749 Location: UK

Hi, Sam - I am so relieved that the children have been told. That is a great step forward.

Yes, your reaction is totally normal. As Kirsti says, you need support too.

Keep in touch, and keep well yourself.

brainman

Sam, I echo everything that the others have said to you. Cancer can be so hard on a family. It really does take the support of a loving and supportive family to make it through.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Tracypie

Hi Sam,

I am glad that you are getting a chance to see your sister. It sounds like she lives far away. I lost my mother to lung cancer and I live 3000 miles from her. She would never ask me directly, but I knew that she wanted me to quit my job and move back home.

But instead, I was fortunate that my job allowed me to visit one week a month for 12 months. Only during her last few months did I take significant time off from work.

The thing for me was that I was planning a wedding, dealing with my mom's diagnosis and had a fiance and a job that paid my rent. I was under significant stress. And I struggled with the notion of whether to quit my job/or take sabbatical every day. But in the end, I feel I made the right decision. I asked myself after every decision, "will I regret this in years to come because I am never going to get this decision back again" and in the end, I don't have any regrets. I did the best that I could at the time. I think about her every day, and I remember her through a nonprofit I started in her honor (in signature line) to benefit others. If you get a chance check out the information section. I put this together in laymen's terms so that it was easy to understand. I also put questions in there that you should ask the doctor if you want to.

Good luck and I will put you in my prayers.

Best regards,
Tracy
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Tracy Sestili
CEO of The Beverly Fund:Curing lung cancer one breath at a time (TM)
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samchaney · Regular Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 36

I saw my sister this weekend, took her and my mum out to lunch. She looked so ill. She has had an eating disorder for 15 years or so, so has always looked skinny,, but now her face looked drawn in and so very fragile. She ordered rump steak and ate one mouthful and couldn't eat anymore.

She had a lot of cancer leaflets in her bag, but didn't want to talk about anything, guess I have to be guided by her. she did say that she was going to oncologist tomorrow to have a CT scan to see if her liver was functioning properly, before they decide to give her chemotherapy. What does a CT scan do???

ki4ncw · Regular Joined: 09 May 2008 Posts: 30

I've had two CT scans so far. They give a much more detailed picture of what's going on to the doctor. It's like a HD picture instead of a disposable camera.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1138

Hi Sam,

A CT usually will show whether there are any tumors in her liver and is far more precise than an x-ray, but less indicative than a PET scan.

Good luck to her and I'm glad you got her out of the house for a lunch.

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

koikkeril · Moderator Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 312

Hi Sam
Sorry I am late to reply but I want to say how pleased I am to hear that the children have been told. This will relieve a lot of pressure and now this is done and out the way, your family can concentrate more easily on the major problem of how and what can be done for your sister.
I can with others relate to your sadness, you have chose the correct site for your future support and much advice here is readily available.
It is great you took your sister out for lunch, even though she didn't eat more than that mouth full, the taking out/getting out is the more important part. Don't forget your camera?
Try to be strong Sam and eat well. Your health is important to.
Gods Blessing
koik

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