[How to help?]

Thank you all for your words of support and wisdom, and I agree you do need more info. This has been a challenge for me, my background is nursing, so it is easy to give help but difficult to ask for it. This is truly a great support site, please keep helping!!

Sharon

49 year old brother, non-smoker,

6/05: diagnosed with stage IV cancer with mets to the bone and liver.

began treatment with carbo and taxol

8/05; after 2 tx CT shows response, liver leisons indeterminable

9/6/05: brain MRI shows multiple brain leisons

begin 2 week brain radiation

9/26/05: CT scan, lung mass cleared, bone mets stable

10/01/05: restart carbo/taxol

10/12/05 brain leisons reduced

10/19/05 continue carbo/taxol

11/01/05 decide to give break from chemo, numbness in lower extremities, balance issues, steroids restarted.

11/12/05 pulmonary clot, hospitalized for 3 days, started on coumadin/heparin

11/18/05 continues with increased chest pain, CT scan shows no embolism, pain meds increased. will see md again on 11/21/05

[How to help?]

I don't know how to start. My brother was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer(non-smoker) with mets to the bone, liver and brain back in June of this year. It was a major blow to the family already having lost 2 other family members to cancer. It has been an up and down battle, we have had great scan results but have suffered complications with the chemo, radiation etc. What I am looking for is help on how to deal with the emotional side of this, I am scared my brother is giving up despite the positive scan results. Do you push or do you just believe that your loved one knows when enough is enough. I am not ready to give up but i also know that is not my decision. I just want to make sure that i do and give everything I can, I want him to have the best chance possible. I feel as if I am rambling but I need to know if anyone can help?