clump55

I originally wrote on 5/14 saying that my dad had just finished his radiation and was very tired. Little did I know that I'd be writing now letting you know that he passed away on May 27. He was so weak after that radiation. He had an open sore on his chest that just was not healing. We later found out that the inside of his lungs were burned from the radiation. He went into emergency for one night; came home and we got him a hospital bed (he didn't want my son carrying him to bed anymore), a walker, a toilet helper and he was on oxygen. He then fell the next ngith in the bathroom and from there it was downhill. He was fine by the time my brother and son picked him off the floor but while putting him back into bed, something happened (maybe his respiration was compromised at that time) and he never really regained full consciousness. The paramedics actually pulled him thru twice. He died one week after that. Not from the lung cancer but from acute pneumonia. It has been horrible. So sad. We literally watched him take his last breath. But I wanted to let everyone here know how much i learned from this site. I would go home and tell my dad what I had read. He had such high hopes of getting stronger after that radiation. Thank you everyone who wrote to me and comforted me. And good luck to everyone else here. Lung cancer is a horrible, horrible disease. I pray for each and everyone of you that has to visit this site. Thank you all again, Nancy

I am new to the board. I already posted to "general" but think maybe I should post here? Sorry if anyone gets upset with duplication. Hope I can get some insight. After many tests and an operation, my 77 year old dad was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer back in March. Since he was too weak for chemo , he began radiation April 4 and just finished his last treatment yesterday. He is so extremely exhausted. As of yesterday, my 18 year old son now carries my dad upstairs to bed at night since he has absolutely no strength. He has been told that some of his strength will come back in a few weeks. Can anyone tell me if this is really true? Both he and my mother are banking on what he's been told. I know the cancer is the core of his tiredness and shortness of breath. And I know the radiation is contributing. I am having a very difficult time seeing my dad dwindle down under 150 pounds. My mother is somewhat in denial. I try and help and offer suggestions but she takes it the wrong way and ends up not talking to me for several days. I guess my main question is "what comes next"? We do know the radiation did shrink his tumor. However, he does have another spot on his other lung and a tumor on that side of his body. What does the radiation do? Did it just stump the growth of the tumor? Can the tumor grow more? Will he always be out of breath? Any answers, insight, ANYTHING would greatly be appreciated. Also, let me know if I am posting to the wrong location. I am having a hard time finding a support group here in town so hopefully, this board will help me. Thanks anyone. Nancy