Daughter74

Sherry, I'm the daughter of a patient but I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and hoping things go smoothly for you with your treatment. I'm so glad to hear your disease is limited. Stay strong and positive. I'll be sending you and everyone here my love and positive thoughts too! <3

Sherry, I'm the daughter of a patient but I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and hoping things go smoothly for you with your treatment. I'm so glad to hear your disease is limited. Stay strong and positive. I'll be sending you and everyone here my love and positive thoughts too! <3

Thanks so much Tom. I really appreciate your help and kind words, as well as the links and definitions. My dad went a whopping six weeks. His tumor is back to 80% of its original size at initial diagnosis. He will have second-line treatment chemo starting next week. I've since read more and realize that his time frames aren't helpful to his cause but of course we will stay positive. They are using the Topotecan chemo drug five days in a row every other week I guess? They plan to do five rounds but during his first treatment, he was planning to do six and they stopped at four (I can't tell if it was because it was going so well or if it was because the side effects were too great). Anyway, we shall see how he does. I imagine he will have a scan sometime into his treatment? 
Am I right to say they will do chemo to see if they can shrink the tumor again, do a scan and see where it is and then either continue chemo (if it's going well) or discontinue it if it isn't helping enough? There was mention of doing a trial IF he makes it to Christmas?? I don't know what that's about. Shrug. 
My dad is very down about everything but he would never ever come to a forum like this. He's actually a doctor himself and I think he's experiencing so many emotions. I can't even begin to understand, but I hope to be educated and then be supportive of him in whatever way he will let me. We've had a hot and cold relationship my whole life (I've never lived with him) but I will always honor my father and would do anything to help him and hold him up through this. So thanks for allowing me to pick your brain and learn what I can so I'm able to pass it on by caring for him.  

New plan for me, my dad and I planned for me and my family to go visit after his whole brain radiation this week. He's been putting off my visiting for a long time now. It's either that he doesn't want to plan too far ahead or he says his blood count is too low (he canceled twice before because of this). In my mind, he doesn't seem to want visitors. I think he doesn't want it to feel like people are saying goodbye (I may have said this before). Anyway, he just canceled again. Said his blood count is low, even though even he has said, in the past,  when  he gets a shot to help, he bounces back within a day or so, and we weren't going to be there until Saturday, we were going to stay at a hotel and would only stay an hour or whatever he could handle. We'd wear masks if he wanted as well. 
But it is clear to me he isn't into having us. He said his radiation oncologist thinks he can blast his brain mets away for at least a year. He's getting his chemo for recurrent SCLC but "feels great." And his wife won't talk to me or let me know anything. I'm going to just leave it in his hands. I can't force or make him want to see me. Only the good Lord knows what he's thinking. I'm just glad I saw him when I did and that I made peace with our tumultuous relationship and forgave us both years ago. 
Thanks to all of you for supporting me and being there for me to learn what I have. It meant the world to me. I certainly won't give up hope for my dad, I'm so glad for him that there are still options that I wouldn't have known about had I not come here. I'm sure I'll keep coming back to learn, and see if I could pass things on to him. You all deserve the very best care and health. <3

New plan for me, my dad and I planned for me and my family to go visit after his whole brain radiation this week. He's been putting off my visiting for a long time now. It's either that he doesn't want to plan too far ahead or he says his blood count is too low (he canceled twice before because of this). In my mind, he doesn't seem to want visitors. I think he doesn't want it to feel like people are saying goodbye (I may have said this before). Anyway, he just canceled again. Said his blood count is low, even though even he has said, in the past,  when  he gets a shot to help, he bounces back within a day or so, and we weren't going to be there until Saturday, we were going to stay at a hotel and would only stay an hour or whatever he could handle. We'd wear masks if he wanted as well. 
But it is clear to me he isn't into having us. He said his radiation oncologist thinks he can blast his brain mets away for at least a year. He's getting his chemo for recurrent SCLC but "feels great." And his wife won't talk to me or let me know anything. I'm going to just leave it in his hands. I can't force or make him want to see me. Only the good Lord knows what he's thinking. I'm just glad I saw him when I did and that I made peace with our tumultuous relationship and forgave us both years ago. 
Thanks to all of you for supporting me and being there for me to learn what I have. It meant the world to me. I certainly won't give up hope for my dad, I'm so glad for him that there are still options that I wouldn't have known about had I not come here. I'm sure I'll keep coming back to learn, and see if I could pass things on to him. You all deserve the very best care and health. <3

New plan for me, my dad and I planned for me and my family to go visit after his whole brain radiation this week. He's been putting off my visiting for a long time now. It's either that he doesn't want to plan too far ahead or he says his blood count is too low (he canceled twice before because of this). In my mind, he doesn't seem to want visitors. I think he doesn't want it to feel like people are saying goodbye (I may have said this before). Anyway, he just canceled again. Said his blood count is low, even though even he has said, in the past,  when  he gets a shot to help, he bounces back within a day or so, and we weren't going to be there until Saturday, we were going to stay at a hotel and would only stay an hour or whatever he could handle. We'd wear masks if he wanted as well. 
But it is clear to me he isn't into having us. He said his radiation oncologist thinks he can blast his brain mets away for at least a year. He's getting his chemo for recurrent SCLC but "feels great." And his wife won't talk to me or let me know anything. I'm going to just leave it in his hands. I can't force or make him want to see me. Only the good Lord knows what he's thinking. I'm just glad I saw him when I did and that I made peace with our tumultuous relationship and forgave us both years ago. 
Thanks to all of you for supporting me and being there for me to learn what I have. It meant the world to me. I certainly won't give up hope for my dad, I'm so glad for him that there are still options that I wouldn't have known about had I not come here. I'm sure I'll keep coming back to learn, and see if I could pass things on to him. You all deserve the very best care and health. <3

Can anyone discuss your report of your dad's condition? Sure, but with lots of hesitation. Small cell is a beast! Therein, my reluctance to discuss the implication of his recurrence and mets to the liver, bone and brain.  From my reading (and likely yours) your dad's pattern of metastasis fits the typical profile for small cell.  And as far as brain mets go, I see very little difference between "much worse" or "just worse."  Small cell metastasizes quickly and now chemotherapy is the only curative weapon available.  There are trials and recent advances in immunotherapy in certain instances but there is that dearth of research ever present that hamstrings doctors treating any form of lung cancer.  Unfortunately, small cell gets a double dearth.
Does that mean give up? I don't believe so because we hope his second line treatment arrests his disease.  But, it may only slow the disease but in so doing it extends life. I was at the same point your dad is at now.  I have Squamous cell NSCLC and experienced four recurrences after NED treatments.  I was mid-point into my fourth line treatment of Taxol and Carboplatin and my oncologist was running our of bullets.  My wife found the magic bullet -- stereotactic radiation -- in her reading.  We had booked a Hawaiian cruise and thought of cancelling.  But all my doctors strongly encouraged us to go cruising and we did.  We took some time to live and while that trip was 10 years ago, we still share pleasant memories.  So there is time.  There is time to rediscover your father and make pleasant memories.
Stay the course.
Tom
 

I love it!!! Especially with your wonderful smile.

Crap--sorry to hear that news.  I was fortunate enough to be early stage so I'm not much help in terms of treatment or what to expect.  Thankfully there are some very knowledgeable people around here who can give you more guidance as far as that goes.
I know that for myself, personally, I can't stand the thought of anyone worrying about me.  I think it's nice that you made him laugh, and that you are having this opportunity to connect after so many years of estrangement.  My guess is that he's feeling some regrets about not being closer to you--before I had my surgery, I was doing some of that soul-searching.  I'd suggest just kind of following his lead.  Maybe your half-brother can keep you informed about the details and you can just provide whatever emotional support he seems to want.  
Just sending you a hug, if that's OK.
Teri

Thanks so much for this KatieB. How did your dad's treatment go? I'm so sorry you've gone through this too. I really appreciate the support I've gotten here already. <3
I haven't heard back from my dad since he called with his scan news. I know he got his results from his brain MRI and he started his chemo Monday. I'm sort of surprised he hasn't called because he usually does on his way home from the hospital. I'll try calling him tomorrow. 

Daughter,
I would say the objective of second-line treatment is to achieve a reduction or elimination of tumor or tumors.  You are correct, there will likely be an in-process scan about midway through and then decisions on continuing or changing therapy.  
Your dad will need his family to close ranks around him.  Lung cancer treatment is not easy, especially the daily treatment like your dad will endure.  My view, past relationships are immaterial.  I would not have made it through my treatment without my wife and daughter.  Their contribution was immeasurable. I am quite sure your dad will appreciate your engagement.
By all means, pick our brains.
Stay the course.
Tom