Knowledge is power

scoutfinch · New User Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 1

Hello forum-
I'm the daughter of a man who, it seems, is facing lung cancer. My da is nearly 69 years old, has smoked for over 50 years and has several other health concerns ranging from the merely annoying to rather serious.

He went in for a CT scan about 10 days ago for a totally different issue and came out with the following bits of information:
1. His carotid artery is more than 50% blocked (!!!!); and
2. There are 2 spots on the upper quadrant of his left lung; and
3. The condition for which he had the scan was not present.

Not a great batting average as far as 'unexpected and serious medical issues' is concerned.

These spots are, according to my da, slightly larger than the buttons on a man's dress shirt.

My da doesn't seem to be terribly anxious about these spots. In fact, even though his doctor STILL hasn't called him to discuss results, he isn't making any phone calls either--despite the fact that the radiologist reading the scan told him in no uncertain terms that, given his age, history, etc., and the appearance of these spots on the scan, these are most certainly tumors.

I haven't a clue what sorts of questions to ask of my da's doctor, nor have I any idea what viable treatments might be available to him at all especially given his other health issues (mostly cardiac in nature--he's had 2 heart attacks, bypasses, has high blood pressure, etc.)

I guess I just don't know where to START with all of this.

My mother died from colon cancer many years ago (34 years ago today, actually), and ever since then, da hasn't taken good care of himself, and he doesn't really seem all that interested in getting to the bottom of what's going on here. He's missed our mother so terribly for all these years, that I think he might be leaning toward doing absolutely nothing about this cancer--this is finally his ticket to ride and he can stop feeling so sad and lonely...I don't know.

So this first post of mine is basically a plea for some guidance on the types of questions we should be asking and what else this might be if not cancer?

Thanks for reading.

Stephanie.

onecoyote · Senior User Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 150

Hi Stephanie,
Not being a doctor, I can't give you a diagnosis. But doctors usually can tell if something is suspicious by the patient's smoking history and general health. Yes the spots in his lung could be a myriad of things probably related to smoking (cancer or COPD). Testing such as scans and biopsies are the only way to nail down a definite diagnosis.
My husband did not have any circulatory system problems when he was diagnosed with lung cancer however he did have mild emphysema. Looking at your father's information I would guess that the doctor would need to treat the (carotid artery) issues before proceeding with anything else. They would want your father to be in the best overall shape to withstand any treatments he might need if it is a cancer diagnosis.
Ask the doctor what his plan of action is. Which tests and why your father needs them. You can also go to CancerGrace.org and pass all this on to Dr. West and his associates. They are awesome at answering even the toughest of questions.
Hugs and best wishes to you and your father,
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009

melkissa · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: Knowledge is power

I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and your dad's current situation. I hope the spots are not cancer tumors. If it is, I am not much help as to what questions to ask really... I can think of a few though.
What stage/grade is the cancer?
What are his surgical options if he is a candidate for surgery? What about chemo/radiation? Will his heart conditions hinder any other possible treatments?
Good luck with everything. Keeping you in my thoughts!
_________________
My dad was diag w/nsclc stage 4 & mets to spine & hips on 11/08 at age 43. Large mass on R lung & collapsed L lung. No surgery so chemo & rad 5d/wk. No results. 4/09 rushed to the hospital b/c breathing issues. Hooked up to o2 & treated for infection. Released when o2 levels were good w/help from Hospice at home. In Hospice as of 6/2/09. Passed 6/10/09. Missing you forever daddy.

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