Diamond

Hi Susan and Steff and thanks for your kind words. It's a priceless gift to have friends who understand and help you... Sorry for not having answered before, I missed the notification... I've taken my dad to the radiotherapist today and she said she prefers not to treat my dad for now, since he has no problems due to the enlarged lymph nodes. I'm so worried because my dad had lost his voice in a couple days, but the doctors said she's not sure this is caused by the lymph nodes, maybe is a common infection. If my dad's clinical conditions will remain stable, she suggests to have a CT scan in late December and then she'll see my dad (on Jan. 9). Of course, we'll talk with the oncologist too. Anyway, the radiotherapist made her decision considering my dad's lung cancer has always progressed very slowly but that enlargement in the lymph node has been strangely so quick (it happened in 3 months). I'm scared now the cancers will grow quickly... What do you think about this and about the loss of voice? You see, Susan, I've indirectly answered your question: no, my dad is not having palliative cares because he presently has no pain or particular discomfort. Just think today at the hospital I proposed him to sit on a wheel chair but he refused, preferring to walk (I've kept his hand and helped him, of course). Steff, I'll keep in my thoughts you mom and your dad (p.s. no, I don't live in the U.S., as my poor English probably indicates...). I thank you all again and, with my family, I send best wishes and greetings.

Thanks Susan for your kind words! No, my dad is not having chemo. He had to stop the one for colon cancer past June for tiredness and weight loss. How can you all help us? Being there, concerning, writing words of encouragement, your advice, prayers -if you are persons of faith-, everything means so much to me... No need to say, the fear is so big... I just remember what my beloved grandma passed through. She died of uterine sarcoma 11 years after having won her battle against breast cancer. And my husband was diagnosed with acute leukemia in 2000, just 9 months after our wedding day. He really risked to die in a few weeks or months, but thank God now he's well, that monster is only a bad memory for him. And now my wonderful dad.I don't want to let him go, not yet, and my mom -80 yrs old, with several health problems- wouldn't bear such a loss. I don't live with my parents and I have no siblings. I'm not in good shape in this period, I walk with a cane when I'm outside, after having had severe back pain past August. I'm so worried I can't take care of my dad if things will worsen. Excuse me for venting, I know everyone has his/her own problems, even bigger than mine so I'm not used to complain. I think I've written all these things because I feel at home and among friends here. Thanks again and many hugs to all. D.

Thank you Tom for your prompt reply and for the link about the types of radiation. It has been useful to me also the part regarding the side effects of this therapy. I hope I can talk to the oncologist to get further information about my dad's situation... I'll keep you all informed. Bye for now and thanks again. D.

In May 2013 my dad (who will be 82 in Dec- diabetic, never smoked) had a Tc scan as a part of the follow up tests for his colon cancer (diagnosed and treated with emicolectomy + chemo in 2010) and it showed two target lesions in his liver. One of them has been biopsied and it was TTF-1 positive. So the oncologist said he has a primary cancer in his lung too. Actually, a speculate mass has been found in his lung by a Tc scan in fall 2010, but a Tc guided biopsy revealed it was a benign (antracotic-fibrotic) nodule. My dad has always been ok, he tolerated well hischemo rounds (carbo+alimta and other drugs for colon cancer). His follow up ct scan of a few weeks ago showed enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum. The bigger group is in the aortic-lung window (42x29 mm). He also has a little basal pleural effusion and his markers are higher. So, his oncologist wants my dad to see a radiotherapist to see if he can have radiotherapy to reduce the lymph nodes in the mediastinum. (he also has enlarged lymph nodes near the liver,but I don't know if they come from the colon cancer) Is it radiotherapy the best choice for my dad now? Or is better chemo again? Carbo+ alimta again or other drugs? He stopped bevacizumab+capecitabine (he had 35 round of this for colon cancer) past July because of severe tiredness and weight loss, but now his conditions are better. He gained 3 kgs (6.61 lbs), he has more appetite, sleeps and breaths well. He just keeps on walking slowly (with no cane). I and my mom, old and fragile, are so awfully scared and sad, so any advice is welcome. Thank you for your attention and your work and support on this wonderful website. Best greetings and wishes to all.

Hello everybody, I'm here for my dad who is fighting against colon cancer since 2010 and nsclc since 2013 (misdiagnosed in 2010). He's Always been brave and strong but now things are worsening and I am so scared and sad. So, I count on your advice and support. Please keep us in your thoughts. Thanks and best wishes to all.