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.