mariola82

My dad looked to me and my mom to make all the tough decisions thoughout his battle. He had no opinion about treatment and procedures until the very end, that is how I knew he didnt want to fight any more. He refused to go back on treatment and just wanted to be left alone. I can't imagine what was going through my dad's head the last weeks of his life, but looking back I realize he knew it was his time to go. I am glad he does not have to suffer anymore. I am doing okay, because I think I accepted my father's death long before he died. Although I stayed positive and wanted my dad to fight, I knew that his situation was bad. My mom took my father's death very hard. She knew how sick my dad was, but denied that he was dying. We are both doing okay, we just try to stay busy and remember the good times. We have to remember that our dads are in a better place now without pain and suffering. We need to keep our heads up!

Hello - Welcome to the site. I am sorry to hear about your mom. As difficult as this may be, try to stay positive and just be there for her. She needs your support now more then ever. Stay Strong! ~Mariola~

First off, welcome to the site. I am pretty new to the site as well. I know what you are going through is very hard, but try to stay positive. Your dad will have "good days' and "bad days", but think of everyday as a miracle and a blessing. Continue to be your father's advocate. Become a great listener, you may not know the physical and emotional pain your dad is going through, but all you need to do is continue to love him, support him, and accept his decisions along the way. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Take care! ~Mariola~

Hello - I am so sorry for your loss! My father lost his battle to Lung Cancer on December 4th. What helps me, is knowing that my dad fought as long as he could and he is my inspiration to go on and fight lung cancer. Its okay to be sad and angry, its never easy to say good bye. Your dad's journey might be over, but you can continue his fight. Just remember all the great memories you shared with you dad. You and your family are in my prayers. Stay strong! ~Mariola~

Thank you so much...it has been very difficult. I will be here as often as possible...

Hello Everyone - It has been a rough few months. My father lost his battle to Lung cancer on December 4th. He fought for as long as he could. He had been off of chemo treatments for over a month and a half, so we suspect that the cancer spread rapidly. It has not been an easy journey for my dad, but he stayed strong and fought until the very end. Although my dad is not here to continue the fight, I will do anything I can to help find a cure for this hateful, horrible disease that took my dad away too soon. He is a lung cancer warrior and I am very proud to say he was my dad. I love and miss him so much. He is now my guardian angel! ~Mariola~

Thank you for all the replies. My dad is having a really bad week and has expressed that he wants to discontinue his chemo treatments. He has lost a significant amount of weight, is very exhausted and is unable to eat or drink. Thank you for all the words of advice and support. I hope to come back to the message board often. Thank you for letting me be a part of your group. Have a great weekend everyone!

Hello! My name is Mariola. I came upon the Lungevity Foundation website after my father, Marian, was diognosed with Lung Cancer in June 2009 at the age of 58. My family and I are participating in the Naperville, IL walk on November 7th. It has been a difficult year. My father had been going through tests (xrays, ct scan, biopsys) since November 2008, to determine what was wrong. His major symptom was a deep cough and coughing up blood. The doctors kept coming back with "inconculsive" results. In May, my father was admitted to the hospital for foot pain, due to a blood clot in the leg. But because the doctors/hospital staff did not know what was wrong with the lungs they did not want to fix the leg. My father had to be admitted into the hospital for a second time in order to get the blood clot taken care of and the final lung biopsy to be performed. The biopsy determined he had Stage 4 small cell lung cancer that has spread to his adreanal glands. We were told that since he is stage 4 and the cancer has spread, chemotherapy is the only treatment he could have for now. In June he began his first Chemo treatment and about 4 months later he has had his treatment changed about 3 times and needed several shots, medications and blood transfusions. It is 100% accurate to say that chemotherapy not only kills the cancer cells, but your entire body. My father is very, very weak and is not able to eat much at all. The only treatments doctors accept in the US are chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. I am trying my best to research alternative medicine. My family and I feel we need to try everything possible and never give up. I am here to find support and motivational stories to keep me going. This has been an terrible year, but I feel that maybe 2010 will be a hopeful and happier year for us. ~Mariola~