cullenator

Thanks all for your replies. As much as I have dealt with health related in my family, this is the first terminal cancer we have been dealt. As far as I know, my stepmom has had a CT scan (which was what originally caught it as she was getting ready for sinus surgery in July), a PET, lung biopsy, and one other test on her bones but I forget what that was. Her daughter is still in treatment for breast cancer, so they have been attending the same cancer center in Ohio, which has specialists from U. of Michigan that come down. She had a second opinion appt scheduled but when they got the results back from the MRI the doc pretty much told her, here is the cancer and no amount of treatment that will put the cancer in remission, and because of what her daughter went through she doesn't want to do treatments that will just prolong the agony. Her doc told her with treatment 12-18 months, without 6-12. My sister has tried to talk to my dad about taking her to the Cancer Treatment Center near Indy, but they won't go. Right now, its not a case of treatment, just letting it run its course. I understand why she feels the way she does about treatment, but in the same my dad will be heart broken and so will I and all her grandkids. But I don't want to come across as selfish either. Thanks for letting me post here and for the feedback. Its hard to find a site like this, and I have really needed it. After the diagnosis I cried myself to sleep for 2 weeks straight. I know I will need your support towards the end too, thanks for being so welcoming!

My stepmom was diagnosed in late July with SCLC and in August found out it was in the spine. I don't know what to think. They told her there is no treatment, which is fine, but is on pain meds and other treatments for her bone strength, etc. It seems like since she found out she has just made a complete turn for the worse. Prior to knowing in July, she was happy and showed no symptoms. In the month and half since her diagnosis she has started having severe pain, can't stand up, has a hard time breathing, is super tired, etc. I want to help her, my dad wants to too, but to me I feel like her body is already giving up. I don't think she would admit that, and I don't want to put words in her mouth. But I don't know, is it possible to go that far downhill so fast? I just feel for my dad, he loves her so much and I want her to be pain free and happy as long as possible. My dad had a heart transplant 10.5 years ago, and I hate this stress on him. On top of everything he lost his job and insurance in Sept. He has found insurance to get him through until another job, but he doesn't have the money to keep it up for long. Can someone give me some insight. Is this disease that bad that it spirals down so quick? Also, if anyone has any advice on how to let a 5 year old know what is going on, I would gladly accept it. I know she knows something is up, but I don't know how to tell her or if I want to. But, that said we are going home in 3 weeks and she is going to notice grandma is acting different I am sure. Thanks for any help, Heather