ocgal99

Hi Katherine,

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. I still remember the day that my dad told me about his. As soon he said the word tumor, I started balling and everything else was a blur after. Things started rolling pretty fast after that. Surgery, chemo, recovery....

After 2 years, we are still in this and like Tom and everyone else said, it is a marathon. So really, I know it sounds cliche, but take care of yourself. Both physically and mentally.

Your dad will of course have a lot to deal with as well being the primary caretaker so be sure to check in with him often.

As far as making things easier on your mom, just try to be there and help as much as possible. Also, it's important to help her feel a sense of normalcy. If she enjoys making dinner for the family, ask her to make it if she's up for it.

As much as they say they are strong and they've got this? They are human too so they will have good and bad days. And so will you. Take it one day at a time. Get support. Talk to friends.

Your lives will prob never be 100% "normal" again but could be pretty darn close on good days!

Hang in there!


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Hi Katherine,

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. I still remember the day that my dad told me about his. As soon he said the word tumor, I started balling and everything else was a blur after. Things started rolling pretty fast after that. Surgery, chemo, recovery....

After 2 years, we are still in this and like Tom and everyone else said, it is a marathon. So really, I know it sounds cliche, but take care of yourself. Both physically and mentally.

Your dad will of course have a lot to deal with as well being the primary caretaker so be sure to check in with him often.

As far as making things easier on your mom, just try to be there and help as much as possible. Also, it's important to help her feel a sense of normalcy. If she enjoys making dinner for the family, ask her to make it if she's up for it.

As much as they say they are strong and they've got this? They are human too so they will have good and bad days. And so will you. Take it one day at a time. Get support. Talk to friends.

Your lives will prob never be 100% "normal" again but could be pretty darn close on good days!

Hang in there!


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Hi Katherine,

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. I still remember the day that my dad told me about his. As soon he said the word tumor, I started balling and everything else was a blur after. Things started rolling pretty fast after that. Surgery, chemo, recovery....

After 2 years, we are still in this and like Tom and everyone else said, it is a marathon. So really, I know it sounds cliche, but take care of yourself. Both physically and mentally.

Your dad will of course have a lot to deal with as well being the primary caretaker so be sure to check in with him often.

As far as making things easier on your mom, just try to be there and help as much as possible. Also, it's important to help her feel a sense of normalcy. If she enjoys making dinner for the family, ask her to make it if she's up for it.

As much as they say they are strong and they've got this? They are human too so they will have good and bad days. And so will you. Take it one day at a time. Get support. Talk to friends.

Your lives will prob never be 100% "normal" again but could be pretty darn close on good days!

Hang in there!


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Katherine, 
When I was reading the beginning of your post, I thought it was me talking. I feel the same way about my mother as you do. My mom is on her 2nd diagnosis of lung cancer, the 1st being in 2015. My mom had a lobotomy in January 2015 and then followed up with chemo and radiation because the tumor was more involved than the surgeon realized. My mom did great after her surgery and during treatment and she is NOT the epitome of good health to begin with. So if my mom can make it thru, so can yours. One thing that has really helped me with this cancer recurrence is these forums. There are several members who have provided great insight for me. Everyone on these forums are survivors, whether we are fighting ourselves or fighting for a loved one. There is also great information here that can help educate you in your mom's current health issue. Arm yourself with knowledge. Don't pay attention to the statistics,your mom is not a statistic. As Tom says, if one person can survive, so can your mom. Moms are fighters. 
Do know I feel your pain, you are not alone. I am currently crying by myself too. We are here for you. Take care, keep your chin up. Be strong. Once y'all have a definite treatment plan in place, things will get easier.

I don't have experience with chemo (either as a caregiver or for myself), but I just had a lobectomy on July 10th.  The minimally-invasive techniques are FANTASTIC--I have three tiny incisions.  I probably would already be back at work but I had a minor complication of an air leak that caused my face/neck/chest to swell up and I had to go back in with a chest tube for a few days. THAT was tougher than the original surgery.  I would have been fine just having my neighbors look in on me if it weren't for the re-admission, but by the time I got out the second time, I was VERY happy to have my cousin offer to come out and take care of me for a few days.  She just drove me on errands/appointments till I was cleared to drive (which was as soon as the chest tube was removed), and helped with some housework and kept me company.  I was going a little stir-crazy by then.  
If your mom is putting on the game face, roll with that.  The one thing that stresses me out is seeing the furrowed-brow, worried faces.  I'm grateful my family and friends have followed my lead.  It IS scary, for sure, but it sounds like your mom copes with things the way I do.  So to the extent you can support that positive attitude, you will be helping her.  

Hi Katherine,

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. I still remember the day that my dad told me about his. As soon he said the word tumor, I started balling and everything else was a blur after. Things started rolling pretty fast after that. Surgery, chemo, recovery....

After 2 years, we are still in this and like Tom and everyone else said, it is a marathon. So really, I know it sounds cliche, but take care of yourself. Both physically and mentally.

Your dad will of course have a lot to deal with as well being the primary caretaker so be sure to check in with him often.

As far as making things easier on your mom, just try to be there and help as much as possible. Also, it's important to help her feel a sense of normalcy. If she enjoys making dinner for the family, ask her to make it if she's up for it.

As much as they say they are strong and they've got this? They are human too so they will have good and bad days. And so will you. Take it one day at a time. Get support. Talk to friends.

Your lives will prob never be 100% "normal" again but could be pretty darn close on good days!

Hang in there!


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Ocgal,
Welcome here.  Very sorry to hear of your dad's recurrence.  Unfortunately, lung cancer is very persistent.  I had 4 recurrences after treatment that produced "no evidence of disease" or NED, our desired end state.  Lung cancer is so persistent, the word cure is no longer used in the community, replaced by NED.  But, I've lived more than 13 years after the cyberknife surgery that finally controlled my lung cancer and if I can live, so can your dad.
Here is some information on lung cancer recurrence that might be useful.  Your dad has to buckle in for the long treatment game.  I gather his type of lung cancer is adenocarcinoma from your mention of targeted therapy.  This new therapy based on newly discovered biomarkers on the cancer cell has produced remarkable results for some. Here is more information on targeted therapy.
So you should look forward to a new treatment plan, hopefully taking advantage of targeted therapy.  The plan may include conventional chemotherapy paired with targeted therapy and perhaps include a form of radiation.  SBRT and IMRT radiation are newly developed techniques that are very potent.  Here is information on radiation treatment.  You might ask your father's medical oncologist about all of these possible treatment methods at his next consultation.
You'll have more questions and this is a good place to ask.
Stay the course.
Tom

I was diagnosed as stage IV in February 2016 and clicked along with NED scans until March of this year.  I'm currently fighting a recurrence.  The silver lining to all of those frequent scans is catching a recurrence early.  Your dad was also fortunate to have his initial diagnosis in an early stage.  That is a huge benefit in this fight.  
Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. 

I don't have any knowledge/experience to share, so just sending a hug.

Hi John!

I'm sorry to hear about your LC diagnosis. The good thing is that now that you know, you can get onto the treatments options.

You're definitely right in that both smoker and non-smokers get LC so you shouldn't beat yourself up. My dad was diagnosed with NSCLC two years ago (68 yo) and he has never smoked a single cigarette in his life!

I wish you all the best as you continue this journey and battle with LC! Fight on!




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