KimC

Thank you all very much for your kind thoughts. It means so very much. My continued best wishes to all of you and your loved ones. Kim

Thank you all - your words and thoughts mean more than you'll ever know. Kim

Hi everyone - I'm heartbroken to report that we've lost my amazing Dad. He'd had a stay in hospital just after Easter with a collapsed lung (the good one). Spontaneous pneumothorax. After 3 chest tubes and a month in the hospital, during which time he dropped from the already painfully thin 121 lbs down to 109 lbs and developed a horribly painful Stage 4 bedsore, he was finally released home. We were as thrilled to have him back home as he was to be there again. The lung cancer had remained unchanged since dx in October '09, so we'd hoped that he'd finally be able to focus on getting stronger & ready for any treatments needed when the time came for that battle. Monday, June 7 he died suddenly while putting air in the tires of his car at the gas station 1 block from home. The coroner was uncertain but ruled it a cardiac event, which is peculiar as Dad had no history of heart trouble. He'd been suffering dizziness and fainted the week prior. Dad suffered a nasty head trauma when he fell to the ground so we believe he fainted, hit his head and somehow passed away as a result. About 15 minutes passed before someone spotted him (no vital signs) & began CPR. This beautiful man never complained and deserved so much more than the hand that was dealt him. We are devastated. I wanted to thank everyone for their comments and kind words over the past 7 months. I wish you all the very best. My thoughts and prayers to everyone. Kind Regards, Kim

Hi all - it's been a while since my last post. Dad was taken off many of his RA meds & has been eating more and feeling far more energetic. His stomach is still unpredictable, but He looks 100 times more like himself compared to a month ago. A CT scan last month showed no significant change since the one in November so his Dr. is holding off on treatment for now & set dad's next appt for 5 weeks. The Dr. still isn't very encouraging and for lack of something positive from the Dr and being left in a holding pattern, dad is understandably downhearted. My brother and I have decided to request a meeting without my dad to get more info & share our concerns. Not sure whether that will be possible but we feel we have to try. If anyone has suggestions on how to approach this we'd appreciate it. Good thoughts to all!

Thank you all very much for the suggestions and good thoughts. I appreciate it more than you will ever know!

Hello all. Hoping that everyone enjoyed a special holiday with their loved ones. Just an update since my dad's first visit to the oncologist Dec 21. His MRI is scheduled for Jan 6 & hopefully there will be no surprises. As of last week's meeting, dad was to start chemo (the only option offered) this week. He saw the Dr. yesterday, had an xray & bloodwork & was told he wasn't strong enough for chemo at this point. His potassium dosage was increased & he's being referred to a GI specialist to look into the trouble he's having eating/keeping food down or passing through so quickly - something I'd pushed for 6 wks ago. Interestingly the Dr. mentioned radiation as an option this time, and that my dad's cancer isn't straightforward. This was the first appt I've missed, though my brother and mother were there, and I wish I'd been there as I have many more questions. The concern I've raised with the 4 Dr's he's seen over the last 2 months (respirologist, GI surgeon, family Dr & now oncologist) has been his condition. I've asked if getting fluids or even TPN would be an option. All have dismissed this & shuffled him along to the next person & I'm frustrated as he's so weak, tired and shaky which is surely affected in part by dehydration. And I'm finding it difficult when IMO everyone seems so cavalier. If anyone has experienced something similar, or has suggestions I'd be grateful to hear from them.

Thank you all very much for the feedback & good thoughts. The biopsy of the nodule is adenocarcinoma. The additional issues with the lung lining were noted on xray, CT & PET and he had significant asbestos exposure over his 45 yrs as an electrician. Not much luck so far with Ensure/Boost type drinks. Each bite he manages is a small victory to us at this point. Dad takes many meds for rheumatoid arthritis & finds they upset his stomach & make it difficult to keep food down. In a bit of a fortunate coincidence, the methotrexate he takes for RA might have been helpful so far in slowing down the cancer due to its properties as a chemo drug.

Hello all. I've been visiting this site since my dad received news of suspected LC Oct 30/09. As our world has changed forever, your info and insight has been a great source of help as we attempt to navigate this new path. The stories you've shared of personal challenge and strength are inspiring and touching. I thank each of you for sharing and would like you to know you're all in my thoughts. My sweet gentle 67 yr old dad is facing this horror with such grace and dignity. He'd lost a great deal of weight this summer (after losing his 93 yr old mother to a C diff outbreak in March, as well as caring for my 65 yr old mother who has been ill since July) so his family Dr sent him for a chest x-ray. Oct 30 he was told there was a shadow on the upper left lung. The process since then seems to have taken forever - Nov 4 consult with respirologist Nov 10 CT (2.1 cm lung nodule, lymph nodes, thickened pleura - all left lung - plus spot on liver ) Nov 18 - endoscopy & colonoscopy re: weight loss - all clear Dec - biopsy of lung nodule upper left (cancer confirmed) Dec 10 PET scan (lung nodule, some lymph nodes in centre of chest & pleura as well as parotid gland lit up - nothing in liver, thankfully) Dec 17 - got results of PET scan, told stage IV and inoperable & referred (finally) to cancer clinic Dec 21 consult with oncologist - chemo will start just after Xmas. Will book an MRI. We've been so worried about dad's weight loss, down to 120 from 160 & accompanying weakness when he needs his strength the most. At our urging the oncologist prescribed a steroid to help with appetite today. Any suggestions, thoughts would be appreciated to deal with any aspect of what lies ahead. I've found the Dr's have been upfront but not necessarily positive or encouraging, so it's a hard job to keep dad's spirits up. I've relayed positive stories I've read here & think where there is life there is hope. Sorry this post is so long.