rayroy

Don, keep your spirits up because things will get better.

Hi Katie, Thanks for the info. Could you please tell me how many mgs a day your dad takes? This drug does seem promising and we are trying it now.

My dad just got megace, how many mgs should he start per day? By the way, he is out of the hospital and home now. He is getting better day by day. Now, we just need to boost his appetite. ray

I've been busy the last 3 days. I have stayed with dad for 10-12 hours a day in his hospital room. He is eating a bit more, which is a good sign. He ate maybe 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes, 1/2 of chicken and some veggies. He ate some jello and tiny pice of bread. He drank 2 cans of prosure. Not much, but for him its good. I understand why he said that the food didn't want to go down. According to the pulmonlogist the tumor is compressing the food passage. He also said that the thoracenthesis will not help him much, the fluid will come back. He said he didnt have much time. I know that, but when that time is I dont know. If dad feels better by going to the hospital, thats good for him. He is better than yesterday and he seems more coherent. Yesteday he only needed 2 pills of morphine for the pain. The pulmonoligist just said to "dope him up with morphine". I won't do that unless he has pain. Dad still wants to know whats going on, he still wants to live. Right now we will not give him treatment for the cancer, we just want him to get stronger and better. Of course, alleviate his pain. This is tough because how much morphine to give him is the question. I don't want him to suffer any more. Even if its a little, but I don't want him to lose his mind just yet. for now, we have to take it a minute at a time, a day at a time, this is the best option for us now! Keep the prayers and advice coming thanks!!! ray

Hi, my dad has started to take some MEgace to help boost his appetite. HAs anyone taken this, and good or bad results from this? Dad is barely eating and drinking only supplement drinks. Please respond if you know anything about this. Thanks a lot

My dad is on hospice too, and I know what you are going through. My dad doesnt want to eat anything, and he can only drink prosure. Hospice doesnt know exactly when a person will die. They sometimes underestimate the person's will to live. I hope your mom has better days and remains positive. Good luck!

Thanks deb, the information is definitely of help. Dad went to the ER this morning feeling like crap. I think he was scared because of his disease, and his difficulty in breathing, and bone pain. He got some IV and is now out of ER. The docs took x-rays and a pulmonoligist says he will attemp to drain some of the fluid for temporary relief. He has had a trapped right lung for months. I hope his appetite can get better with this prodecure. Dad has been moaning and groaning from some of the pain. He is more coherent than in the past 2 days. I think he has taken a lot of morphine. I am going back to the hospital to see what they will do for sure. Please pray that dad will feel better! ray

Your dad may be around to see it. Just remain positive and try to help your dad to be positive. Research all the options available and enjoy each day. One week can seem like a month with this disease. Enjoy some time for yourself, especially when dad is stable and okay. Your dad maybe one of the lucky ones so good luck and go for it!

Don good to hear Lucie is doing okay. I hope her x-rays and scans give positive news. Take care!

Thanks for the support guys. At least dad has survived 3+ months since coming back. It has been great despite the disease. I would rather be here right in the middle of things than just stand away in obscurity. Tomorrow I will call the oncologist to see if there are meds for anti-depressants that could boost his appetite. I will ask dad to go get the x-rays to see if his pleural effusion is drainable. We will continue to ask and offer dad for food and possible treatments. For now, lets pray that dad can regain some strenght so we can try to fight this disease with other measures. I will encourage him that he can turn around and he should try to eat some food. Thanks a lot for the support! ray

Dad has been on oxygen almost 24/7 now. A week ago he was not that bad (not that good either), he saw the oncologist and he said he could take Iressa or taxotere. However, dad has had increase in pain, thus increase in morphine which has made him drowsy. He now says he can't eat anything, it won't come down. We may need IV for him. It's very depressing to see him fade away like this. But we have to take care of his needs. I dont think he will try any more treatments (he is too weak). The hospice nurse said he seems more pale and recommends a hospital bed. Basically, we should be expecting the worst. I who have remained so positive am slowly realizing not much more can be done. However, I will ask him all the time if he wants to eat, and if he wants to try some alternative supplements. I think the alternative supplements may have helped him for 2 weeks or a month. This disease sucks! Well, all we can do is help manage Dad's pain and depression. Good luck to all!

If pleurodesis works he will breath much better. He should experience much more relief and be able to walk more. My dad was told about hospice back in December, he eventually went on it in late April. He is still alive today, although slowly getting worse. Be positive, life can be extended, but look for other opinions and doctors that are willing to do something. If it wasn't for this board, I amy have quit looking for treatments a long time ago! Good luck

Sorry to hear about your loss. You and Mike were and still are inspirations to all of us. Your determination has helped us all!

I heard its best to eat natural food. However, eating something is better than nothing. There are a lot of myths and mysterious about this disease. I would say eat a little of everything.

Peggy I hope your sister gets better. Hospice doesnt necessarily mean immediate death. My dad is a 2month hospice survivor. There still may be good days ahead for your sister. Your sister currently doesnt have pain, thats great. How about trying alternative treatments. I have tried teas, arginine, noni juice, hoxsey,spes. So far no real response, although he felt good knowing something was being done, but its worth a shot. I wish you the best.

I concur with the above and I also am inspired by your faith and strenght to help mike. I hope you keep us updated as much as you can. There is always hope!

I am glad you enjoy the support here. Even though this may be scary your husband can beat this. Live one day at a time. Enjoy life!

Tell me about it! waiting is a b...tch! Dad had to wait 4 weeks to get a cat scan because of insurance and all,,,I hop eyou dont have to wait that long...good luck

what chinese herbs are you reffering to? 80% response is unheard of, but I hope its true. My dad unfortunately didnt cure himself with carbo and taxotere/ but maybe it prolonged his life, who knows? I wish you th ebest of luck!

Great news!! Enjoy life as it is, not as you fear it could be!!! What great news for all lung cnacer survivors!!!

I am not a father, but will hope my dad had a great fathers day. I think he did.!!!!

Sharon,,mrs mike,, Things may seem bad but things can turn around for the better and I believe they wil because you never quit and neither does Mike. Just never never quit, when things are all said and done you all have done your best and thats what counts! Try any treatment available and continue what you do because you inspire me to go the extra mile with my dad.

Welcome to this board you will find great understanding and support. Without this board my father would probably be dead without hope!

welcome mate! I hope you find the comfort and support here in this board. Good luck!

Mary never give up the hope, do all you can for your loved one. Cancer is aggressive so you have to be aggressive too! Throw everything at it, including the kitchen sink. Maybe even try alternative suplements. If anything, the patient may think something is being done and may even feel better and get better. My dad has been on these kind of treatments for the last 2 months and he is still pretty much the same. All I can say is try something new, if the previous thing failed. I wish you the best