needhope

Great Article. Thanks! Rochelle

What Can Be Done? The nurses are having to keep my dad heavily sedated (knocked out) because once he comes out of it he becomes agitated and starts trying to get up. Almost like he's fighting the ventilator. Right now they are giving him 50% oxygen and are lowering it every day (so there has been some progress) but have had to keep him sedated for the past few days so that he doesn't freak out and cause his oxygen level to drop. I asked the nurse could it be panic attacks and she said that it is possible. Has anyone dealt with this before? Is there anything else that can be done to help my dad with his anxiety? Right now, this seems to be the primary thing that is keeping him in ICU and not allowing him to be moved to a regular room. If we could only get hime to relax..... Rochelle

You give so many hope!!! Here's to many more years of planting flowers . Rochelle

That's great. Your story gives me so much hope! Rochelle

Thanks for the replies. My mother took my dad to the hospital and he is there right now as I am typing this. He received a pneumonia shot a few months ago so the doctors don't believe that it is pneumonia. They have done a chest x-ray and are doing a CAT scan to see if he has a blood clot. They have given him medication and oxygen and his breating is less labored now. They are going to keep him until they find out what the problem is. I am hoping this is only a bump in the road. Please keep us in your prayers! Rochelle

Okay... So for the last few weeks I have begun to feel somewhat normal. My dad has been doing fine. He got his results from his CT scan last Monday that showed his tumors were stable. He's been carrying on with life as usual. On Sunday he sung at two Church services with his choir and he also sung with them at a program on Friday. We went out to eat on Sunday so everything was well. I go to see him today and he is laying down. He's sniffling and saying that he can feel the phlegm in his chest. Yesterday, he went to the store and had to pull over because he felt like he was going to black out. He came home and experienced dizziness before vomiting. For the last two days, his breating has become more labored and he gets tired when climbing the stairs. What could this be a symptom of? His CT scan showed no progression. I am so down right now because this is the first time I have seen him "sick" (has had no adverse reactions to chemo besides losing hair) since his diagnosis. I'm praying hard that this isn't serious and is cleared up very soon. Rochelle

Interesting.... Rochelle

Thanks for your Prayers! I asked for your prayers a few weeks ago in the Inspiration forum after my dad noticed swelling in his neck lymph nodes, which we hoped wasn't disease progression. Well I am happy to report that my Dad received his results from the CT scan today and everything is still stable. PRAISE THE LORD! The doctor ordered a PET scan for him to get a better look. We are praying that he stays on Tarceva for a very, very long time. His hair is growing back (he is thrilled ) and our spirits are up. We went out of town on Saturday and he and my mother left town earlier last week to the Georgia mountains. We are so blessed! Rochelle

Your mom's story is very inspirational and is one I often recall when I am fearful or doubtful about my dad's situation. She gives me much hope. Sincerely, Rochelle

Flowergirlie, May God grant you and your family peace during this difficult time. Rochelle

My prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. May God give you strength. Rochelle

Prayers go out to you and your family. I know that this is a very difficult time for you. My dad was diagnosed Stage IV five months ago and through chemo and Tarceva has had little side effects except hair loss and a rash. He's still pretty active and if you did not know him you would not know that he is battling this disease. Everyone deals with this new way of life differently, but what has helped us the most is praying for the best and taking one day at a time. I praise God for the small things (i.e. good days) and continue to hope and pray that He will bless us with larger things (i.e. good years). Keep the Faith, Rochelle

Aaron, Just want to say that I hope this plan does the trick. Keep the Faith, Rochelle

That's wonderful Go out and celebrate. Rochelle

I'm praying that your dad has a speedy recovery. May God give you strength during this time. Rochelle

Hi All, My dad experienced some swelling in the lymph nodes in his neck (which was how he was first diagnosed) so his onc pushed his scans up to Monday to see if Tarceva (after 2 mos. on it) is working. Please keep us in your prayers. Sincerely, Rochelle

PRAISE GOD!! Your mom's story gives hope to everyone that miracles do exist. Rochelle

I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you during this difficult time. Rochelle

My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC 4 1/2 mos. ago so I know how frightened and devastated you must be. However, you have found a great support group here. I pray that your Dad gets a plan of action soon and responds well to treatment. Sincerely, Rochelle

I get to post here finally! My dad's shin bone has been giving him trouble since his diagnosis. Although the shin doesn't seem to be a common bone met (as I noticed here), I was still worried to death about it. He saw his doc today and the doc said that his x-ray looked normal. It's probably just arthritis or something. Thank God! Now I can enjoy the rest of my evening. As I speak, my dad is at work setting up the voting polls for tomorrow and still has a great appetite. My sis is visiting from college and we all had great family time over the weekend. For the first time, things felt almost normal. I remind myself to count my blessings everyday and that if you praise God for small things maybe he will bless you with bigger things. Rochelle

Hi Susan, Sorry you have a reason to be here but you have found a great support community with lots of great info (as you already know )I pray that your mother responds well to treatment. God Bless and Keep us Posted on her progress. Rochelle

Lilly, Continue to have faith. Hopefully you will be on the right path soon. I am battling whether I should push my Dad to seek a second opinion. Nothing against his doctor but its just good to know you are on the right track. With another opinion, the outlook can come out a lot different. Who knows? Sincerely, Rochelle

Congratulations!! Here's to many more years. Rochelle

Flowergirlie, I was wondering how your husband was doing. I am sorry that the disease has progressed but it is good to know that your husband is feeling fine. I pray that the next plan provides the two of you with more hope. Rochelle

That about sums it up for me. I'd have my dad scanned twice a month if allowed. My boyfriend says I am just a worrywart . I'm trying to get better. Rochelle