ngc4au
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Everything posted by ngc4au
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I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.
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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!!!!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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!!!
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First Round of Treatment Almost over...what to expect!?!?!
ngc4au replied to ngc4au's topic in CHEMOTHERAPY
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
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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.
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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
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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???
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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!
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Hello! My father went to see the medical oncologist Wednesday (1/3) and starts chemo 1/16 with carboplatin and Docetaxel. His radiation will start around the same time. There has been problems with the site chosen because although it is near their home...it was just opening the first week of January...so probably back to the Kirklin Clinic which is further away but the established site.
Question/Comment: Yesterday my mother told me my father felt this was all for nothing and the outcome was going to be the same no matter what. It really took me by surprise...I am devastated by this attitude. I understand (and feel the same) the ups and downs of emotions but I want him to feel hopeful. His regular MD prescribed klonopin for his nerves and sleep problems. All of the information about survival is depressing but things are changing so rapidly, with so many stories of survival on here (including yours)...am I wrong to feel that he can live and manage this?? And in the end isn't the outcome the same for everyone anyway, cancer or not? I just don't want to have my rose-colored glasses on and be steering towards something that isn't...Thanks!
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When it comes to life, there are only two certainties: birth and death. Neither event is predictable with certainty. A lung cancer diagnosis doesn't change the two certainties. So, are you wrong to feel he can live and manage? No, but it doesn't matter how you feel; it matters how your father feels.
I have no scientific or medical foundation for my view on a patient's attitude toward lung cancer treatment and outcomes. I have a belief and while not medically grounded, it parallels successful person-to-person interactions in everyday life. If I present myself as a patient who cares about my treatment, who is engaged and inquisitive, who cares about outcomes, and has a desire to live; the people who treat me might just take an extra step, run another test, search another journal because I have a sanguine attitude. That something extra is what saved my life.
Stephen J. Gould said it best in his wonderful essay "The Median isn't the Message". Play the linked youtube for your dad. Stress the importance of acquiring a sanguine approach toward his treatment.
Stay the course.
Tom
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Good Evening! We just got back from the medical oncologist and my father will be doing weekly chemo/radiation. The chemotherapy drugs are carboplatin and taxotere. Does anyone have any information on this therapy and how well it works? Side effects? Thanks!
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Hi! So, we went to see the radiation oncologist and he wants to 6 weeks of therapy and an MRI of the brain...just to check. He says we are hoping to cure this. So far all of the doctors, when asked, say "it looks like NSCLC" and "it looks like squamous" Why do they not answer in the definitive? Is this normal? The next appoints are Jan 3--medianscopy, Jan 4--medical oncologist, Jan 5--simulation, and somewhere in there the MRI--to be scheduled.
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So, today was supposed to be the CT simulation but was a consult instead. I didn't go because we thought it was just a test. I listen to the recording and the doctor said that it looks like a node very close to the esophagus is involved. I don't think I got he entire recording. The doctors never say cure...control or manage only. Is that a bad sign? My mother said they said it could be 3a. 3b or 3c? I've never heard of 3c. Has anyone else?
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Thank you! We are at the beginning and I want to make sure we are asking the right questions, going to the right places, and seeking the correct treatment.
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My father (73 yrold former smoker) was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. This Tuesday (today is Friday) he had his 2nd/3rd biopsy. The 1st was negative. He has one tumor...described as about the size of a small Halo orange (!?!). The final pathology report has not been completed but initial report is squamous cell. Lymph node involvement is probable. We are so overwhelmed. He has an appointment with a radiation oncologist. We were told yesterday that surgery was not the option...radiation and/or chemotherapy would be the treatment. He is on Plavix and his dr is going to Japan tomorrow; so, he is having a medianscopy in two weeks. What should we be doing/asking? What should we expect from treatment? Quality of life? Sickness, side effects? Please help!!!
