My 86 year old father is in the final stages of NSCLC

Norrma · New User Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

Hi everyone. I'm a 47 year old female, my 86 year old father is in the final stages of non-small cell lung cancer. He was diagnosed last year and had lower right lobe removed. Then developed SIADH which caused him to lose appetite, but it wasn't diagnosed for months - a simple antibiotic fixed it - it's a sodium deficiency and apparently common with lung cancer patients. No chemo/radiation follow up as my dad didn't want it and it wouldn't have cured him. A year later, cancer is back, spread, and terminal. Again, no chemo/radiation as our Oncologist said it would maybe add a few months to his life, and they would be bad months. I'm glad he was upfront with us about it. My dad fell last week and hurt has back, like we needed that added trouble. Hospice is trying to keep him comfortable, but so far unsuccessful as far as the back pain. My sister and I just hired CNA caregivers as we can't do it full-time. I feel for all of you going through this; it truly is one day at a time.
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Norma

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2402

Hi Norma,

I didn't see you down there as you tagged onto another old thread. Welcome to the forums and I hope you find some support and comfort here as you face this harsh time for your Dad.

The falling is so difficult. I'm sorry that he's injured himself and is more uncomfortable. Hopefully hospice can find the right combination to ease his pain. Just what he needed, huh?

God bless and feel free to vent, ask questions, or anything you need in this safe place for patients and family members.

Hugs,
PBJ
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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

Jes · Regular Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 14 Location: texas

I have not been here ina very long time...My puter crashed..so I had to laptop, I was looking through it and Cancer Forums pops up...My husband passed from Stage 4 NSCL April 27th. His battle was 11 months long. Did
he suffer? No I do not think he did...24 hours prior to his passing his lungs began to fill with fluid..Hospice brought over a liquid meds..One was to help dry the fluid. At first it scared him but after the noice subsided he reached for me, kissed me gently and fell into a coma.....Hospice told me
to give a liquid med (2 drops every hour inside his cheek) but about 12 hours later the noise returned and no meds were going to change it. His passing was gentle and calm with no struggling or pain. The lights were low and i sat by his side rubbing his arm till I was sure he was gone with my children by my side. Hospice wasnt called till he had already passed.

Now I would like to tell you to fight...and fight hard for your loved ones..One thing that has kind of helped me..Is he and I wrote a diary (computer) of our feelings, emotions, we told each other how we loved each other....then there were times that one of us had to apologize for being an ass for starting an arguement...We wrote things about what the doctors said and when we had to go to a hospital for some reason..You cannot imagine how many times I have read his diary and little notes to me.....Your loved one might survive lung cancer and I would say it is as important to your family to have the journey written down as it is for those of us who's family member didnt make it....

Keep up the fight...and you are all in my prayers...

Jes

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