Aubree

My name is Aubree. My Dad was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer in May of 2007. This was due to the two pack a day habit he had since his late teens. At first we were hopeful. He had very successful chemo and radiation treatments in the summer of 2007, and in September he had his left lung removed. We had every reason to believe that after that, my Dad would be cancer free. In January of 2008, the doctors came to us and told us there were microscopic cancer cells in other parts of his body, and that he would always have cancer. We were still hopeful. People I have known have lived with cancer for many years, and I looked forward to many more years with my father. However, every chemo that was tried after that were ineffective, and dad developed heart problems late 2008. I lived 20 hours away, and was very dependent on what Dad told me about how he was feeling. Every day I would talk to him sometimes 4 times a day, and he would assure me he felt fine, even when he had to go on oxygen because the cancer had spread to his only lung. Dad went downhill very fast, and still I was in the dark. Dad died February 3, 2009 in the hospital, after he had been told there were no treatment options left and he had maybe 3 weeks left. I didn't make it home in time. The last time I had been home was in July 2008. I hate myself for it. I am having a very hard time grieving, not wanting to think about anything. I'm hoping I may hear from some people here who may have had an experience similar to mine, or just someone who had lost someone to this horrible disease. I miss him so much, he was my best friend. I am having a hard time grieving. It's been close to two months now and I can't think about it, can't cry about it. Any advice I could get would be great. Thanks.

Thanks to you all for the posts. Sheri, how long ago did your dad die, and when did it start to get easier? Thank you so much.

I just lost my dad to lung cancer. It was a very short fight. Too short. I loved my father so much, and I can only imagine how much you loved your sister. I hope you can find some peace in the fact that she is still with you, like my father is still with me, and waiting for you in a better place. Take care. Aubree

My name is Aubree. My Dad was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer in May of 2007. This was due to the two pack a day habit he had since his late teens. At first we were hopeful. He had very successful chemo and radiation treatments in the summer of 2007, and in September he had his left lung removed. We had every reason to believe that after that, my Dad would be cancer free. In January of 2008, the doctors came to us and told us there were microscopic cancer cells in other parts of his body, and that he would always have cancer. We were still hopeful. People I have known have lived with cancer for many years, and I looked forward to many more years with my father. However, every chemo that was tried after that were ineffective, and dad developed heart problems late 2008. I lived 20 hours away, and was very dependent on what Dad told me about how he was feeling. Every day I would talk to him sometimes 4 times a day, and he would assure me he felt fine, even when he had to go on oxygen because the cancer had spread to his only lung. Dad went downhill very fast, and still I was in the dark. Dad died February 3, 2009 in the hospital, after he had been told there were no treatment options left and he had maybe 3 weeks left. I didn't make it home in time. The last time I had been home was in July 2008. I hate myself for it. I am having a very hard time grieving, not wanting to think about anything. I'm hoping I may hear from some people here who may have had an experience similar to mine, or just someone who had lost someone to this horrible disease. I miss him so much, he was my best friend. Thanks.

Hey Everyone. I just wanted to post to all that we got the results back for my dad's PET scan and his brain MRI, and the excellent news is that the cancer has not spread to any other region of his body outside of what they had already known, which is the upper lobe of his left lung and the extreme bottom part of his trachea. I have never been good with anatomy, so for now, until I see it written, that is about as accurate as I can make it (you can find him in the forum as well, his name is Rod - he has his history of dx written). There was additional good news that despite the fact that my dad had a two pack a day smoking habit for 35 years, and the upper lobe of his lung is completely collapsed, his lung capacity is somewhere between 85 to 90%. He is also in great health otherwise, and once my sister the nutritionist fattens him up a bit more, he will be in pretty good shape for when the radiation and chemo starts sometime in the next two to three weeks. He meets with a Dr. at Dana Farber Institute on June 18, so the future looks good for him. I have taken all of your advice very seriously, and have tried to just be there. We laugh and joke a lot! So if that is what my roll is to be, I am fine with that. We talk most every day, and I'm glad my cell phone minutes roll over from month to month. My sister-in-law will also help me pack care packages (she is a nurse) that are appropriate for the stage of treatment he is in at the time. I am also planning many small trips to visit every other month or so. Thank you again for your support, and I will keep you all posted as I get info. God bless!

Thank you all so much for your replies. I had a hard night, and yet I feel guilty for saying that given what my father must be going through. I've been breaking out in hives, not sleeping, and feeling sick to my stomach, and I feel so guilty and selfish for it. I have actually been avoiding research thus far because I am truly afraid of what I will see, for I know there will be bad statistics, and given my level of stress right now, I don't think it's wise. Maybe I should. I'm at a loss of what to do next. I did find out that my Dad has Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Tomorrow he will meet with the radiologist, and have a PET scan and brain MRI, and on June 18 he will go to the Dana Farber Institute for his second opinion. I'm scared of tomorrow, but trying to be strong for Dad. I think I called him 10 times yesterday, but he didn't seem to mind. Thanks again for all your help, it is truly appreciated!

I just spoke to my Dad. You all are right, it's NON small cell. I wasn't able to process that detail last night I guess.

Thank you all for your very kind replies. I am already glad I am here. Adrian, I believe my father is in stage 3A. That was what I was told last night, and I believe that is the answer you are looking for. I know that he has a tumor on his left lung, and it has spread to some of the lymph nodes around it, though they don't believe that it has spread anywhere else. PET and MRI are scheduled for Thursday, so hopefully we will know more on Friday. I appreciate knowing that your sister is in a similar situation to mine. How does she cope with being so far away, and how does she stay well-informed? My father promised me that he will keep me informed of everything that happens, but I understand that sometimes things get lost on the way home from the doctor and before you can get to the phone. Thanks so much for your support. I'm afraid I'm having a harder time dealing with this than I would have hoped.

Hello all. My father just called me last night, and with the help of my mother broke the news as gently as he could that he has just been diagnosed with SCLC. It really doesn't seem real. My brother works in cancer research, and my sister is a nutritionist, and will both undoubtedly be supportive and helpful just by the sheer nature of what they do for a living and the fact that we are an extremely close family. I live, however, half a country away from my father, and don't have a career in anything that would be helpful. I have been told that just by being strong and loving my dad, that will be enough. How can I be strong when I feel like I am tearing apart inside every time I think of my Daddy going through the extremely hard (and painful) process of treatment? If there is anyone out there who can perhaps give me some words of wisdom, or some advice on the best way to be there for my dad, I would appreciate all you have to offer.

My name is Aubree, and I am the oldest of Rod's three children. My father just broke the news to me last night, and it just doesn't seem real. I wanted to post here to show my support for my father. I did want to let you know Daddy that I love you and I will be here for you to support you in all that is to come! And I can't wait for the 80th birthday party