LaurieB

I so appreciate the kind responses. In answer to some of the questions . . . we honestly were very surprised, because my dad has gone downhill so quickly, to find out that the disease hadn't spread outside the lung. He does have COPD (he was a heavy smoker in the 50's & 60's, but hasn't smoked in 35 years), which he has kept under control for many years with lifestyle choices -- he's a vegetarian who meditates twice a day and (until recently)religiously did both breathing and physical excercises. . . we were told that radiation would not be useful because of the extensive spread of the disease throughout the lung. . . I have mixed feelings about the onc., who comes very highly recommended, but always seems rushed and hasn't explained my dad's situation to us in a thorough way. We have a palliative care doc that we trust, from hospice, working with us on symptom management and we plan to ask him his opinion regarding treatment. It's all day to day at this point and we're just hoping to get through the holiday weekend with as much positive spirit as possible.

I so appreciate the kind responses. In answer to some of the questions . . . we honestly were very surprised, because my dad has gone downhill so quickly, to find out that the disease hadn't spread outside the lung. He does have COPD (he was a heavy smoker in the 50's & 60's, but hasn't smoked in 35 years), which he has kept under control for many years with lifestyle choices -- he's a vegetarian who meditates twice a day and (until recently)religiously did both breathing and physical excercises. . . we were told that radiation would not be useful because of the extensive spread of the disease throughout the lung. . . I have mixed feelings about the onc., who comes very highly recommended, but always seems rushed and hasn't explained my dad's situation to us in a thorough way. We have a palliative care doc that we trust, from hospice, working with us on symptom management and we plan to ask him his opinion regarding treatment. It's all day to day at this point and we're just hoping to get through the holiday weekend with as much positive spirit as possible.

My 78 year old father was diagnosed in mid-Nov. with NCSLC. The cancer is locally advanced, but has not spread outside the lung. Our family is extremely confused about whether he should undergo treatment (a "moderate" course of gemzar/carboplatin is what the oncologist has suggested, if he chooses to have treatment) or just go with palliative care. His health has deteriorated significantly in the last 6 weeks -- he is very weak and fatigued, using a walker, on the couch most of the day and has pain that requires 2xday morphine. He initially said he didn't want treatment, but has now changed his mind and is expressing a desire to try chemo. The oncologist has told us that treatment could improve his quality of life, but could also make him more miserable if he doesn't tolerate it well. My dad has had a very rich life - he just retired from his job as a college professor 6 months ago - and has received an outpouring of love and support from friends and family over the last month that, I believe, has strengthened his desire to make an effort to fight. We want the rest of his life to be the best it can possibly be. How do we help him make this decision? Sorry this is so ridiculously long. I'm too confused to edit properly!