Hello, all.
My 75 year old mother was diagnosed with stage 3b NSCLC about a year ago with tumors in the right upper lobe and mediastinal lymph nodes. She went through chemo-radiation and after just 4 months of immunotherapy, it was discovered her tumors were growing despite the fact that the genetic testing indicated the type of immunotherapy she was on would be effective.
I took her to a new oncology team and she is insisting on having surgery. Our original oncologist told us in no uncertain terms that surgery could not be done on her advanced stage of cancer. Fast forward to 4 months of testing and we are scheduled to see a thoracic surgeon who has expressed willingness to do a lobectomy and lymph dissection.
I’m logging on to this forum in hopes someone with a similar history can provide insight into his or her experience. Going through this surgery means I will have to leave my job and take care of my mom full time for at least 3-4 months. I am absolutely willing to do this, but I don’t know what to expect. I am an only child and there are no other family members to support her.
Mom has moderate emphysema and was a pack a day smoker for 40 years. She has extreme issues with anesthesia and, in fact, has suffered aspiration pneumonia following each of her lung biopsies. I don’t want to crush my moms hope, but I cannot wrap my head around how this is a viable treatment option. The surgeon will undoubtedly express the risks and statistics, but up to this point, my mom has willfully ignored anything negative her team has told her. I’m positive this is a self preservation mechanism, but I am second guessing her ability to give true informed consent.
Anyone been in a similar boat?
thank you!
