ngc4au

I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.

Really great!!! He was prescribed 10 mg of prednisone 3x a day and oxygen at level 3. He is on 10 mg once a day now. Also, ( this is the best part for him and us) he goes out everyday and works around in the yard for a little while...something he adores doing!!!! His hair is coming back in really fast and with the prednisone he has gained about 5 pounds...he lost about 20. We are all so thankful. He has a follow up appointment with radiation next week and then in September with his chemo oncologist and pulmonologist. Thank you for asking!!!!

Thank you! He doesn't sleep flat. He is going to the pulmonologist Wednesday. I just hope the doctor gives him some hope that these symptoms will improve. My father is used to being "busy" and now it takes a rest break to put on his socks. He is so discouraged. If he could just breathe a little better...it would make all the difference. He started using his nebulizer and inhaler today.

No, they didn't focus on the cancer. He has a central lymph node that appeared the same, no worse/no change. The focus was on the scarring and he has fluid in his lung. He is going back to the pulmonologist. It's the strangest thing...he has no energy and cannot "get his breath". He says he gets short of breath and then feels panicked and that makes him more short of breath. It is worse at night and in the morning...I guess because he is stirring around more??? It takes a lot out of him just to take his shower.

So, my father has completed this last phase of treatment. He had a CT and has some fluid and lung damage due to the radiation. Lots of lung damage. His next CT is in September with contrast. He is going to see his pulmonologist to see about a plan for the lung damage.

We got the results and while it wasn't NED it was FANTASTIC news. He has greater than 50% shrinkage in the lung and in some lymph nodes greater than 75% shrinkage. He will do 6 more chemo treatments and meet with the radiation oncologist tomorrow. His chemo schedule is 1 treatment once a week for two weeks and then a week break. We are so pleased and thankful for the news!

I am confused...as usual. My father is going for his scan April 3 and today (03/06/17) was his last radiation until... He was given an appointment card for radiation for April 4 until ??? Is this typical? Do they not need to see how or if the tumor has changed before restarting radiation? Thank you!! Nicole

Update on my father...yesterday (Feb. 21) was his last chemo treatment with 7 radiation treatments to go!!! I heard a recording of the radiation oncologist meeting and he said his lungs sounded clear (fingers crossed)!! When he got home he ATE!!! He has been unable to eat very much at all...he kept a small glass of baking soda water and took tiny sips to eat any food. His follow up CT scan is scheduled for April 3rd and I am praying for NED!!! He was not a candidate for surgery, so, I know that is probably our best hope and it is mine. I haven't seen my father in at least two weeks. I am a guidance counselor with a 9 year old and the FLU is terrible here. We are both (me and son) terrified of bringing a germ to him. I am hoping we will get to see him this weekend. My sons has a runny nose and slight cough...so, we may wait a few more days. It is so difficult. I am so nervous and optimistic about him feeling better. He was so physically strong and enjoying working outside before. My mother said yesterday it will just make her day if he feels like going outside and sitting on the porch. It is truly the little things. Praying for NED!!!

Thank you both. My worry is the he is NOT coughing up "chunks of stuff". We were given the impression to expect that and he has not, as of yet, had that experience. Yes, he is very weak. Thank you for your encouragement. Nicole

Hello All!! My father has had 4 chemo treatments (5 would have been yesterday but he couldn't get because his blood count was 1500). So, he is going to try again next Wednesday and continue his radiation, which is currently at 18 so far with 12 more to go. Here's my crazy question...he says he isn't coughing up chunks of material. I am wondering if this is a bad sign--that the tumor isn't dying. His follow up scan has been set for April 3rd...about six weeks away. He was given medicine yesterday to treat a possible yeast infection in his mouth and if that doesn't clear things up he is supposed to double his Aclyovir for cold sores in his mouth. One more thing, he says nothing tastes "right" and the oncologist told him some patients said that cold pineapple chunks helped with that. Have any of got any other hints? Thank you you so much! This site keeps me going! Nicole

Thank you! I hate to hear that about the fatigue and mid-point side-effects. He already has the cough syrup, magic mouthwash, and cream. I was hoping that with the re-positioning the side effects may change...he can barely swallow a single pill. Although, on a positive note he hasn't lost much weight (3lbs) and he still has his hair.

I guess neuropathy is not something I am so concerned with either...he has had that for years and years. He had two back surgeries due to chronic back pain and no relief of the feet and hands. I love your spirit!! I think that is what we all continue to hope for...does anyone remember if after the mid-point in chemo radiation if the side effects improved, worsened or stayed the same? One of the doctors (I am pretty sure the chemo oncologist) said the beams should change about mid way through the radiation and the discomfort may lessen when swallowing. I am going to look through the message board for information about side effects and symptoms through the treatment. I love this site!!! #prayingforNED

My father started chemo/radiation this week. He had his first chemo treatment Monday and his first radiation treatment today. In addition to the chemotherapy he received an IV infusion of iron. Can anyone tell me how they felt after their first treatments? He is 73 and has been sleeping a lot since the diagnosis (3 months since the journey started). He is receiving one chemo treatment per week and daily radiation. How long did it take to start feeling bad, good, different???

Thank you so much! I'm so worried. He is 73 and is not considered a candidate for surgery and although we haven't been told for sure it is stage 3. He is going to have chemo-radiation. He also had melanoma several years ago...I noticed you did, too. I just want to read somewhere this is what is going to happen (I know this is not possible?). Plus, it just seems like we go from dctor to doctor and they need something else or some other test before they can say anything for sure. Next week is the brain MRI. Thank you so much!