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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 2852
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 Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Roberta,
I'm so very sorry to hear he has to undergo more radiation for the brain mets. Have hope that the combination will do good for him, as you said he was a match.
Prayers that he improves and is able to go to the wedding. This is such an emotional ride. Why did we buy these tickets?  Darn cancer!!!!
Hugs and God bless,
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
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Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:18 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi PBJ 11 and Divine Child,
I'm a little less furious today. Well, the lumbar puncture was positive, as I was unfortunately expecting. The good thing is that they found a small concentration of cancer cells in his spinal fluid. That being the case, the next step is radio in the brain (already started today) in the hopes that it will shink the tumors (3 in total) to make the symptoms better (right now convulsions) and to try to clean the spinal fluid (50-50% chance, I'm not thaaaaaaat optimistic). If the spinal fluid does not come clean in the next puncture, chemo in the spine is the next step to get rid of it. After all that, that lovely tarceva which I'm really praying that will work, at least helping the cancer not to spread even further...
Divine Child,
I think your father should decide what steps to take next. Since he's a stage IV, I assume he has mets. Do you know where are they? What is the doctor plan for treatment? You both have to sit down and consider the prognosis x the difficulties of the treatment. Some people belive is just too much to keep trying, but just because he's old it doesn't mean he won't be physically able to take it. My father had problems with his chemo, but that's ONE case and I know lots of other people of age who managed to do it well. For example, my own father has no problems whatsoever with radio.
I'm not against chinese medicine in a way to help to body to heal, but cancer is a tricky disease and if your looking for a significant extension of his life, I think you should look for an oncologist. My best wishes to you and you father!
Let's all pray that my dad will be able to see me getting married! |
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divinechild
Regular
Joined: 31 Aug 2009
Posts: 37
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 3:52 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi Roberta,
My dad's primary tumor is in his right upper lobe, size 3.9 cm x 4.2 cm x 4.00 cm. It has met to his left lung, diaphram and lymph nodes. I dont' know which lymph nodes. This diagnosis was made about month and a half ago. He went to China to recieve Chinese herbal treatment but a couple of weeks ago he told me he regretted ever going to China and wasted so much time on the herbs. He wants to go back to Hong Kong asap and continue seeing the onocologist to discuss further what the treatment plan would be. I think at the time they suggested the test where they insert a tube from the esophagus to the lung to get tissue for biposy but he refused because he didn't want to go through pain and discomfort. His Pet scan or CT scan was scheduled 10 days from then and he didn't want to wait and did nothing so he went to China to consult with some Chinese herbalist as introduced by some relatives there, then he ended up staying there for about a month now and never went back to Hong Kong for his schdule biopsy test to pinpoint what kind of cancer (SCLC or NSCLC and if NSCLC which kind). So he has wasted a whole month and now he's going to go back to Hong Kong in the next few days. They're staying in China right now because a cusin I have never met living in Paris is flying from Paris to China to see my father and he felt he's obligated to "wait" till she saw him before he fly back to Hong Kong and get admitted into a hospital. I know, my friend heard this and told me this is the most f**ked up thing he has ever heard that a dying patient is waiting on someone and do not go to the hospital asap just because he and my mom and sis felt they're too bad to not wait for her to arrive and went ahead and try to save his life by getting the medical attention he needs the most.
Sorry about rambling on.....
I hope you father is responding great with his treatment and congrats on getting married! Maybe this will be a huge motivator for him to fight the cancer.....to see his little girl getting married....
Shannon
[quote="robertacastello"]Hi PBJ 11 and Divine Child,
I'm a little less furious today. Well, the lumbar puncture was positive, as I was unfortunately expecting. The good thing is that they found a small concentration of cancer cells in his spinal fluid. That being the case, the next step is radio in the brain (already started today) in the hopes that it will shink the tumors (3 in total) to make the symptoms better (right now convulsions) and to try to clean the spinal fluid (50-50% chance, I'm not thaaaaaaat optimistic). If the spinal fluid does not come clean in the next puncture, chemo in the spine is the next step to get rid of it. After all that, that lovely tarceva which I'm really praying that will work, at least helping the cancer not to spread even further...
Divine Child,
I think your father should decide what steps to take next. Since he's a stage IV, I assume he has mets. Do you know where are they? What is the doctor plan for treatment? You both have to sit down and consider the prognosis x the difficulties of the treatment. Some people belive is just too much to keep trying, but just because he's old it doesn't mean he won't be physically able to take it. My father had problems with his chemo, but that's ONE case and I know lots of other people of age who managed to do it well. For example, my own father has no problems whatsoever with radio.
I'm not against chinese medicine in a way to help to body to heal, but cancer is a tricky disease and if your looking for a significant extension of his life, I think you should look for an oncologist. My best wishes to you and you father!
Let's all pray that my dad will be able to see me getting married![/quote] |
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robertacastello
Experienced user
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:27 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi Shannon,
Stay calm, even wasting this time and waiting for that person, he'll benefit from the oncologist's treatments. Normally the chemos are made in round of 1 day in every 21 days, so the discomfort last for about 3 or 4 days in the middle of this (days 14, 15, 16 for ex). The rest of the time, he'll feel much better! Try to keep all your best thoughts and energies, that's what I'm trying to do here.
I discovered the source of my anger. You see, my father is a famous doctor here in Brazil and, along with the oncologist, a lot of other doctors that work with him keep flooding the hospital room to cheer him, which is great. But he moment they step in the hallway, they start to determine prognosis, gossip about the situation in low talk, etc. Everytime I say someting hopeful they look at me with pity eyes, it's infuriating. Last night I sent them an e-mail telling them that, as his daughter, I was deeply bothered by this behaviour and that they were weakening my strenght to fight along with him. From the moment I pressed the "send" button, I felt MUCH better. Now I don't feel like an idiot to have hope.
I think that's the best we can do, stay positive, have hope and cherish the moments we can have with our dads right now! |
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divinechild
Regular
Joined: 31 Aug 2009
Posts: 37
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Dear Roberta,
GOOD FOR YOU! You are so strong and I admire that you are able to stay calm with a clear mind through all this. Thank you for the reminder: Yes, the best thing to do for my dad and for myself right now is to stay positive and reserve my energy so I can do positive things. No time for worries and anxiety...that's wasting energy....
I had a very good night sleep last night....Did a little bit of packing (I am being kicked out of my house by my landlord in the house I've been living in for 4 years)
Keep us posted...and good luck with the radiation...
Blessings,
Shannon
[quote="robertacastello"]Hi Shannon,
Stay calm, even wasting this time and waiting for that person, he'll benefit from the oncologist's treatments. Normally the chemos are made in round of 1 day in every 21 days, so the discomfort last for about 3 or 4 days in the middle of this (days 14, 15, 16 for ex). The rest of the time, he'll feel much better! Try to keep all your best thoughts and energies, that's what I'm trying to do here.
I discovered the source of my anger. You see, my father is a famous doctor here in Brazil and, along with the oncologist, a lot of other doctors that work with him keep flooding the hospital room to cheer him, which is great. But he moment they step in the hallway, they start to determine prognosis, gossip about the situation in low talk, etc. Everytime I say someting hopeful they look at me with pity eyes, it's infuriating. Last night I sent them an e-mail telling them that, as his daughter, I was deeply bothered by this behaviour and that they were weakening my strenght to fight along with him. From the moment I pressed the "send" button, I felt MUCH better. Now I don't feel like an idiot to have hope.
I think that's the best we can do, stay positive, have hope and cherish the moments we can have with our dads right now![/quote] |
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robertacastello
Experienced user
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:59 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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| Does anybody knows anything about the use of tarceva in leptomeningis carcinoma? I tried to find studies but they are all inconclusive... |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 2852
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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Hi Roberta,
No -- I don't know a thing, but would advise you to ask one of the docs at cancerGRACE.org (Dr. West's website for lung cancer.) If anyone would know, it would be him.
God bless and I hope for good news.
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
Experienced user
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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| BTW, radiation therapy is almost ending, his last one will be next wednesday. So far, so good. His condition is stable. He's reducing the corticoids, is speaking and thinking clearly, walking firmly and stuff. In three weeks he'll have another spinal tap to see the situation of the meninges and see if the intratecal chemo will be needed. Tarceva will start as soon as radiation ends. Let's see how it goes. My wedding is still on, he's really happy with it! |
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robertacastello
Experienced user
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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My father finally died tonight. He had trombosis in both his legs (due to a long time stuck in bed) and that caused an emboli. Since he had brain mets, they couldn't give him any medication. He was sedated and died without pain.
It was a long jouney, 1 year and a half since his was diagnosed. The progression of the disease in listed in all my posts in this thread.
I thank every one of you who helped me go through it. It was very important for me to have this forum and the people who were going through the same. I hope I can use my experience to help other people in need, so I'll be sticking around.
Thank you. |
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maryaz
Senior User
Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 291
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:29 pm Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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robert; I am so very sorry to hear this. You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. It is good to know there was no pain at the end. Time can ease up the pain and then the memories will live on. God Bless You.
_________________
Mary
Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 2852
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Dad diagnosed with lung cancer |
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((( Roberta ))))
I got notice of your memorial wall posting last night and my heart just sank. You were on my mind the rest of the night. I think each of us here feels every loss so acutely. I'm so sorry to hear his long journey is over and that a new one is beginning for you. I am glad to hear it was a peaceful passing. As odd as that would sound to an "outsider," those of us who have gone through it know how important that final time is to be peaceful.
The pride you showed in his great life successes really touched my heart. What a wonderful life he had and I'm sure he was blessed by you being his loving daughter in so many ways.
I'm hopeful with the news that you will consider staying on and helping here. You have so much to share with others on this journey. Do what you are able, when you are able, but your contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Again, my sincere condolences. Be gentle on yourself in the upcoming days.
God bless and keep you close,
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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brainman
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Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5972
Location: Tennessee
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. It sounds like he was a very great man and will be missed by many in the medical community of Brasil as well as by family and friends. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this painful time.