A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others
Hi everyone,
I am new here and not really sure where to begin My father was diagnosed with poorly differentiated NSCLC (I think I got that right) on July 1. He is 68 years old was a smoker for about 40 years, only stopping in December 2011 after he had a heart attack. Long story short, after his bypass surgery, he started physical therapy to strengthen his heart and overall health. We noticed after a few months though that he still wasn't gaining any weight, didn't have much of an appetite and was still having chest pains. Doctors decided this probably wasn't related to the heart attack and decided to do a biopsy on that chest area. A week later, before his follow-up appt to the biopsy, we rushed him to the hospital because he was coughing a lot and had severe chest pains. We thought it was bronchitis or pneumonia because he was also running a fever. Doctors decided to keep him overnight for observation and also because he started coughing up blood. The next day, Sunday, his doctor came in to meet with us and confirmed what I think was in the back of our minds - cancer.
My dad seemed to take it in stride...I guess that's the best way to put it. We started a treatment plan of radiation right away, but held off on the chemo for two weeks because of a blood clot in his neck. He finally started chemo yesterday and is at another session today. The radiation has been upped from 10 treatments to 16 and we will find out today how many chemo treatments they will try.
My father is being very tight lipped about the treatment/diagnosis and for now seems to be in good spirits - at least around me. I believe that he is trying to protect me and my two younger sisters (we are grown and in our 30's). I would like to do more research about this disease and find out what our options are, but if he doesn't want to talk about it, I can't make him. Although I did steal some of the documents that the doctor left for him to read so that I could do some reading of my own LOL. I've offered to take him to his appointments, but he is insistent on driving and I love that, but I do wish he would let us be there more for him. So anyway, I stumbled on this forum today and I probably won't post much but I am learning a lot from reading the experiences and stories from everyone here. Thanks for reading!
Hi treyc, Welcome to the Forum but so very sorry that you need to be here. In order to check appropriate treatment for NSCLC you need to know what stage you Dad is at. Different stages will be treated differently. It's not unusual for a parent to want to protect their kids from bad news...even if they are all grown up. When my Dad first started getting chest pains he waited until the next day to drive an hour away to his doctors who promptly admitted him to the hospital. I spoke to him the morning he planned on driving himself to the doctors and he never said a word to my brothers or myself. He thought he might be having heart problems for the first time at 82. A chest xray revealed a huge tumor. I spoke to him while he was still in the hospital and told him that although we respected his privacy, we wanted to help him through this and asked if he would be more forthcoming and open about what was happening to him. Luckily for us he became an open book and everthing was in the open. That may not work for every family but I'm glad he allowed us to help him. I did alot of research too.... didn't change a thing. If I had it to do over I would have spent more time with him and not on the internet and listening to Dr Google. I did find alot of practical info right here on the forum...things that helped me know what to expect, things that helped make my Dad's journey a little easier and support when I was feeling scared. Please keep us posted on your Dad is doing. God Bless.
Irish
Irish,
Caregiver to my Dad, who was diagnosed in June 2010 with Stage 1V NSCLC with single met to brain,
He sadly lost his battle in August 2010 and we miss his smiling Irish blue eyes terribly.
My Dad's story: http://www.cancerforums.net/threads/...th-how-he-died.
I hear you. However, do NOT get alarmed when the doctors increase the number or radiation treatments. The chemo nurse told us that sometimes the rad. doctors increase it. Do not panic, alot of times they do not tell you why and people ASSUME that means it's not working. She said that's untrue due to the cone effect of radiation. Starts out wide range and they may add treatments further along to "zero" in or narrow the rad to focus on just the cancer.
I know everyone reacts differently, but continue to think positive. My father was State 4 with single met to brain and now in remission!
My father is 72 and I think it's their generation about being the provider, tough man. My father still made no comment even after doctor told him remission.
I don't think they want to lose their independence, however, my mom laid down the law to him and she never has ever done that after 52 years of marriage. She said we will do this until I feel our girls need to be involved or go and like it or not they will be there. Your 2 girls is your family. Mind you, I am 48 and younger sister is 41. We go to the biggie appointments after the scans for results. Rad appt's aren't bad, he may be able to drive to and from, however, our chemo nurse said they want someone to drive him home.
As many on this forum have said, it's a roller coaster ride. Right now we are at the top, however, this disease is ugly and we can fall at any time. Please keep in touch, believe it or not, all that reads this forum does care.
Daughter of dad, (71)
Dia. NSCLC 3/26/12 - Tumor left upper lobe, (3")
PET scan/MRI - Single small met to brain. Successful radio surgery on 4/12/12
Started chemo/radiation 4/19/12
Finished Taxol/carbo treatments on 6/7/12
CT Scan - Abdomen & Chest
NO RESIDUAL TUMORS - REMISSION
Hi Irish and PowerPrayer - thank you for your welcome! (Although I guess it goes without saying that I wish I didn't have to be here at all, right ) I really appreciate your words of encouragement! I have read your stories and many of the other stories on this forum and even though I am still scared $&*#less, I feel better that we do have a plan. I was so depressed over the last few weeks thinking about all the things that my dad and I haven't shared yet, like him walking me down the aisle. But I have to keep in mind that he's not gone yet, and that I have to stay positive. It's the whole not knowing what's going to happen next that troubles me. However, I am going to stay positive and just be there for him.
Hi treyc, Don't blame you for feeling scared...been there myself. Just a little note, it's sometimes easier for us to keep track of your story if you stick to one thread. If you like, I can merge your hiccup thread into this one. God Bless.
Irish
Irish,
Caregiver to my Dad, who was diagnosed in June 2010 with Stage 1V NSCLC with single met to brain,
He sadly lost his battle in August 2010 and we miss his smiling Irish blue eyes terribly.
My Dad's story: http://www.cancerforums.net/threads/...th-how-he-died.
Sure, that would be fine, merge away! So question...when I post a question or comment, should I just come back to this thread and post it or should I create a new one? Most boards that I read, I'm usually a lurker - I don't post much - but I have a feeling that I will be using this forum a lot.
Hi treyc,
Generally it's best to stick to one thread, just continue on with your new question by hitting the reply to thread button at the bottom of your thread. That way your whole story is in one spot and members can keep track of your details easily as things progress. Many times before I respond, I look back over the thread to refresh my memory for details. It's not an absolute must but it is better. If you wanted to post something in another area of the forum like coping and support for instance you would need to start a new thread. By the way, nice to have you here even if it is for a sad reason. I hope you find the support here that you are looking for. God Bless
Irish
Irish,
Caregiver to my Dad, who was diagnosed in June 2010 with Stage 1V NSCLC with single met to brain,
He sadly lost his battle in August 2010 and we miss his smiling Irish blue eyes terribly.
My Dad's story: http://www.cancerforums.net/threads/...th-how-he-died.
I messed up merging your hiccup post into this thread and lost it...my apologies. Could you repost your question in this thread so other members can answer for you.
Irish
Irish,
Caregiver to my Dad, who was diagnosed in June 2010 with Stage 1V NSCLC with single met to brain,
He sadly lost his battle in August 2010 and we miss his smiling Irish blue eyes terribly.
My Dad's story: http://www.cancerforums.net/threads/...th-how-he-died.
Hi Treyc, saw your hiccup question and started to reply but lost the link. I see Irish merged it while I was typing my response. I'm wondering if Irish and I hit the buttons on the computer at the same exact time and that's how it got lost?? Either way, here is my response. My dad did suffer from hiccups, he never did Chemo though, but did do Whole Brain radiation. When I questioned the doc about the hiccups, he said it was extremely common in Lung Cancer patients. . We had no remedies that helped my dad with his hiccups, just let it run it's course. I would say he was on and off with the hiccups for about 3-4 weeks. Not sure what stopped them but they did stop on their own. Sorry, I'm not much help.
71 year old Father diagnosed 2/2/2012 with Stage IV Lung Cancer NSCS with METS to the Brain, spine, bones, Adrenal Glands, Lymph Nodes, Liver, Pancreas, omentum.
Heart Attack 2/19/2012
Whole Brain Radiation and Radiation to the Spine 2/27/2012 completed 15 sessions on 3/16/2012
Heart Attack 3/10/2012
Passed away 3/26/2012[/B] I love you dad, you will be missed.
Thanks Lalle...my mom read somewhere that vinegar is supposed to help, so he's started doing shots of vinegar when they first start and it seems to help for a little while. He says it doesn't hurt, but they are very annoying. I can only imagine...I get annoyed if I have the hiccups for only a few minutes, I'm sure it is horrible to have chronic hiccups.
So I don't know if I'm allowed to post this here or not (I know, I'm bad - I didn't read the rules LOL) but I started a blog a few weeks ago if anyone is interested in reading. It's mostly my ramblings of me trying to wrap my head around all of this. I used to keep a journal, but it's more convenient to type it out now. Anyway, it's http://mydaddyisdying.wordpress.com. In hindsight, I'm now wishing that I had titled it differently, something less morbid right?...and I suppose that I could start over with a new title, but then I'd have to start a whole new blog and well, I'm ridiculously busy (read: lazy) so I'm keeping the name, haha.
Last edited by treyc; 07-21-2012 at 01:27 AM.
Reason: Added the blog name...it's a personal blog, not linked to any ads or articles.
Good news...the tumor on Dad's lung has shrank by 20%. His last chemo appt (for this round anyway) is tomorrow. He hasn't really had any bad side effects from it so far, so we are all grateful for that. Only a few more radiation treatments remaining.
Bad news...he's back in the hospital because of swelling in his left arm. There is a LOT of fluid in his arm and the docs can't figure out why. They have tried antiobiotics, blood thinners and now they have wrapped it up, trying to get the fluid to reabsorb in his body. So far, nothing has worked. He's been in the hospital since Friday night and is really complaining about not being able to sleep in his own bed. I feel so bad for him!
Hi treyc, Good news on the shrinkage, sorry that he's back in the hospital with fluid build up, have they checked for a blood clot? God Bless.
Irish
Irish,
Caregiver to my Dad, who was diagnosed in June 2010 with Stage 1V NSCLC with single met to brain,
He sadly lost his battle in August 2010 and we miss his smiling Irish blue eyes terribly.
My Dad's story: http://www.cancerforums.net/threads/...th-how-he-died.
Hey Irish Yes, they checked for blood clots all over and finally today they realized that one of the lymph node tumors is pressing on to something, causing the fluid. Ii'm glad they were able to figure out. He's having a final chemo treatment today and then they will release him to come home. So now the waiting game begins!
Trey, If he wants to go home maybe you should consider that. You said he is tight lipped. Shots of uranium wouldn't cure him at this point. I'm truely sorry to be blunt. If you feel bad for him, then make him comfortable. Talk to him. Ask him what HE wants. He is the one doing treatments, not we...
Somebody delete my messages if I become too strong in my opinions. Dad is sick. He wants to "go home". This is not a message of no hope. Hope is a verb. Help him give you hope. a
May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour. Born 1960. Diagnosed 4/2011 with one tumor, LUL, NSCLC. Tumor size 1.1 inches. Thoracic surgery 6/1/2011. No action taken. Eight weeks of radiation and chemo. Carbo and Taxol. Follow up with four rounds of Carbo and Alimta.
December 2011 CT scan shows all clear.
April 2012 CT scan shows all clear. July 2012 had several x-rays taken at the chiropractor for shoulder pain. Took them to the onc and nothing suspicious noted. See them again in Oct.
October didn't work out. Pain in the left shoulder continued to worsen and lymph nodes in the supraclavical swelled so I called the onc and they bumped the regular scan up to September 19 and we went for the results on the 24th. The tumor is back and the spread is extensive. Option 1: Try targeting chemos that may work and then on to clinical trials. These would give me about a year or so if the cancer responds. Option 2: Do no treatment and let nature take its course. This will give me six months give or take. As good as I feel right now, I’m going for door #2 and will continue to live well and enjoy myself until I don’t. I’ll keep you posted. Live it up everyone!
7 months into hospice and palliative care. It has been a very good relationship with the organization as a whole with a minor glitch. April 2013 spent the night at hospice facility, PICC line inserted for morphine drip. I said I wouldn’t but, had a hospital bed delivered. Started 10 rounds of palliative radiation to shrink the neck tumor. Busy month for me!
I've taken a couple of nasty falls this last week. (first of & mid-May) Right on the cancer shoulder. So I have a life alert necklace on me now. I wish I could get my hands on a small scooter!
There is another node swelling on the other side of my neck. Still small.
Hi April! Thanks for your response...no you aren't too blunt. At this point he is stilll wanting to do the treatments, next stop is radiation to try and shrink the small tumor that is on his neck to help the swelling in his arm go down. He has been an advocate of doing the treatments all so far. This hospital stay was to figure out why the swelling in his arm wouldn't go down, and once they recognized what it was, they released him to go home yesterday. Other than that, he hasn't had to stay in the hospital and he's still fairly active, even able to drive and all that good stuff.
I know he's just being brave around us, I think that's just what dads do (even though we are grown) Now that the major radiation treatment to his lung has finished, we have to wait two months to see what the next step of treatment is, if there is any. If it gets to the point that the treatments are no longer working, he will let us know that he wants to stop. Well, he probably wont tell me, since I'm the "child" but I found out that he does talk to my mom about what he wants and doesn't want and then she relays the info to me.
Just checking in to say that Dad is doing ok this week. After his last chemo treatment, he did get thrush so it was hard for him to eat for a few days. Thankfully he still has an appetite and he wants to eat - I was so worried that he would lose his appetite. Once we got the thrush under control he was able to finally eat a real meal today. He said the Ensure and Boost drinks that we bought just weren't cutting it and he wanted a turkey burger! This weekend we'll be cooking some of his faves for dinner also. He was hit with a bit of fatigue earlier in the week, but it is wearing off so he's getting back to his "normal" self. Well, his new normal anyway.
I know that things can change from day to day and as he said, each week brings about it's own adventure...we'll see what lies in store for us next!
Ahhh all good. I liked smooth creamy food when my mouth was sore. I was also still hungry. Keep him eating. Get him that burger! a
May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour. Born 1960. Diagnosed 4/2011 with one tumor, LUL, NSCLC. Tumor size 1.1 inches. Thoracic surgery 6/1/2011. No action taken. Eight weeks of radiation and chemo. Carbo and Taxol. Follow up with four rounds of Carbo and Alimta.
December 2011 CT scan shows all clear.
April 2012 CT scan shows all clear. July 2012 had several x-rays taken at the chiropractor for shoulder pain. Took them to the onc and nothing suspicious noted. See them again in Oct.
October didn't work out. Pain in the left shoulder continued to worsen and lymph nodes in the supraclavical swelled so I called the onc and they bumped the regular scan up to September 19 and we went for the results on the 24th. The tumor is back and the spread is extensive. Option 1: Try targeting chemos that may work and then on to clinical trials. These would give me about a year or so if the cancer responds. Option 2: Do no treatment and let nature take its course. This will give me six months give or take. As good as I feel right now, I’m going for door #2 and will continue to live well and enjoy myself until I don’t. I’ll keep you posted. Live it up everyone!
7 months into hospice and palliative care. It has been a very good relationship with the organization as a whole with a minor glitch. April 2013 spent the night at hospice facility, PICC line inserted for morphine drip. I said I wouldn’t but, had a hospital bed delivered. Started 10 rounds of palliative radiation to shrink the neck tumor. Busy month for me!
I've taken a couple of nasty falls this last week. (first of & mid-May) Right on the cancer shoulder. So I have a life alert necklace on me now. I wish I could get my hands on a small scooter!
There is another node swelling on the other side of my neck. Still small.
Quick word trey...please don't get ticked if you go to a lot of trouble to make something he asks for and then he changes his mind. I set myself up all the time with my mom. SHe would be craving something for dinner, I would run around like a mad fiend trying to find it, and then, by dinner time, she wouldn't eat, or she would eat a couple bites and make a yucky face. Appetite is very fleeting and what appeals one minute can be gag worthy the next. I still have 4 cans of salmon in the cupbaord I can't bear to thow away.
By all means, make him what he asks for, you should do as much as you can, but try not to make a big deal out of it if he doesn't want it, and have the Ensure and Boost around for back up.
Hey Lori, you know it's funny is that he's never been a big eater, he is more of an eat to live rather than live to eat kinda guy. (Completely opposite of me - I wake up thinking about what I will have for dinner tomorrow!) So we are used to him not eating a lot or craving something and then not wanting it when he gets it. I remember when I was growing up my mom used to cook two meals, one for us kids and one for him because he was so picky. Sheesh! I figure, if we do make his faves and then he doesn't want it......well that's more for me haha! No seriously, I'm starving right now.
My father was diagnosed with poorly differentiated NSCLC (I think I got that right) on July 1. He is 68 years old was a smoker for about 40 years, only stopping in December 2011 after he had a heart attack. Long story short, after his bypass surgery, he started physical therapy to strengthen his heart and overall health. We noticed after a few months though that he still wasn't gaining any weight, didn't have much of an appetite and was still having chest pains. Doctors decided this probably wasn't related to the heart attack and decided to do a biopsy on that chest area. A week later, before his follow-up appt to the biopsy, we rushed him to the hospital because he was coughing a lot and had severe chest pains. We thought it was bronchitis or pneumonia because he was also running a fever. Doctors decided to keep him overnight for observation and also because he started coughing up blood. The next day, Sunday, his doctor came in to meet with us and confirmed what I think was in the back of our minds - cancer.
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) I really appreciate your words of encouragement! I have read your stories and many of the other stories on this forum and even though I am still scared $&*#less, I feel better that we do have a plan. I was so depressed over the last few weeks thinking about all the things that my dad and I haven't shared yet, like him walking me down the aisle. But I have to keep in mind that he's not gone yet, and that I have to stay positive. It's the whole not knowing what's going to happen next that troubles me. However, I am going to stay positive and just be there for him.
Yes, they checked for blood clots all over and finally today they realized that one of the lymph node tumors is pressing on to something, causing the fluid. Ii'm glad they were able to figure out. He's having a final chemo treatment today and then they will release him to come home. So now the waiting game begins!
May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour. Born 1960. Diagnosed 4/2011 with one tumor, LUL, NSCLC. Tumor size 1.1 inches. Thoracic surgery 6/1/2011. No action taken. Eight weeks of radiation and chemo. Carbo and Taxol. Follow up with four rounds of Carbo and Alimta. 
