What does this mean?

mikemac · New User Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

My 69yr Father was diagnosed last August with NSCL Lung cancer. A short while after a plueral effusion developed and the diagnosis progressed to stage 4. He has a tumor on the inside of his right lung, in his lymph glands and other spots on both lungs. They picked up, on a C-Scan something on his liver but have decided not to do a biopsy.

He underwent 6 weeks of radiation in the fall and is presently in his second cycle of chemo, Carbopactin and Venebrelene.

2 weeks ago he had a slight collapse, 20%, in the lung with the tumor. They are waiting for it to improve on it's own while he finishes his 2nd chemo cycle.

My question is, should I be pushing for more aggressive treatment? Should they be looking after the collapse ( his arterial blood gas is 60 ) first? Right now he still gets out for short walks and drives to beach, things he loves. But he can't walk 50 ft without having to stop and rest. I had O2 set up at his home last week and it does help but he still has a very hard time with pain in his legs and shortness of breath.

This message may be confusing but to be honest, I'm more than a little confused about everything myself right now. I'm trying to be there for him but I feel like I'm in over my head. He's left most of the questions for Doctors for me to ask and make the decisions but there are times I feel really lost.

Any help would be really apreciated.
Thanks.

deba · Regular Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 28

Mikemac,
My Dad is 66 and has small cell cancer in both lungs with mets to the brain and possibly kidney. He is taking chemo and going downhill all the time.

I wish I had some answers for you, but I don't. I need so many answers myself. I do think you need to be aggressive in talking to the doctors about time frame, effects of chemo versus response, etc.

I got to talk to my Dad's oncologist this past week via phone without my Dad because my brother and I travel a great distance each week to take care of him, and we needed to know how to plan for his care.

Like your Dad, my Dad is still driving short distances and doing a thing or two that he likes as he feels like it, but he is losing about 5 pounds a week right now and not eating anything. The doctor told me that his time is just extremely limited because his body just can't take much more.

I wish I could help you, and maybe someone on here will be able to give you more advice.

mikemac · New User Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

Thank you, Deba. I'm taking him to a chemo session tomorrow and I think I have to start pushing things more. I spoke with Dad an hour ago by phone and he's very raspy and sounded weak and confused.

I can't imagine what's going on in his mind right now, he knows whats in front of him and I just want to make it somewhat easier and comfortable for him.
Mike

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