Herman

Cindi o'h - just thought I would send you some WARM wishes from SUNNY 71 degree Tucson, Arizona! I can't imagine what it's like to live in constant cold, as I have lived all 41 years of my life here in Tucson! I also want to thank you for your daily updates, and your positve attitude. I think a lot of us really needed that today! I hope the rest of your treatments go as well as the previous ones! Sending some "warm sunshine" your way!

Hello, and welcome to this wonderful place! This website has kept my sanity MANY times! As my father has just begun chemo too, I thought I would offer you his experience. His is stage IIIA NSCLC, and is getting carbo/taxol once a week for three weeks, then the fouth week off. He will do this twice. After the chemo is complete, he will undergo 15 minutes of radiation every day for 5 weeks. The oncologist told us the biggest side effect of this type of chemo combination would be fatigue and hair loss, and that nausea would not be a factor. They give my father anti-nausea meds before his chemo, and also gave him a prescription for them "just in case" but the onco did not think he would need them. As a matter of fact, my father usually eats his lunch during his chemo! He has not lost his appetite, and is doing very well in that respect. After his first chemo last week, he felt great until 3 days afterward, then it hit. He was so fatigued and weak he just sat around in a recliner all day. My father is a very active man, even with being on oxygen 24/7, so for him, we knew he had to be weak. Then he had his second chemo Tuesday of this week. He had a reaction to the "pre-meds" and turned beet red on his face, but the onco office said that is normal, and a lot of people get it. He felt no worse after the second chemo, and on Wednesday morning told my mom he felt "really, really good" and that he had not felt that good in so long! He even went to the gym yesterday and worked out (a light workout, but none the less, keeping active!) Now today is Friday, three days out from his last dose of chemo, and since it's early in the morning, I have not talked to him yet today. But I am wondering if the "three day" out from chemo will make an appearance again. But if it does, at least we know what to expect from now on, and how he will react and when. I just hope the "good days" will outnumber the bad. I have read on this board before about people getting chemo and feeling better than they have in a long time. But keep in mind, my father has an EXCELLENT oncologist, and that makes all the difference in the world! They make sure he has all the medication for anything he will encounter, and always tell my mom that if anything should come up that is not normal, or if she has any questions, to call anytime of the day or night. They told her not to wait, that if she has a question at 2:00 in the morning to call, because they have someone on call 24 hours a day, and they would rather know right away if there is a problem so they can get on it as soon as possible to prevent anything getting out of control. I wish you dad the best of luck, and even though my dad got down at the beginning, I kept telling him that feeling bad would not last forever, and that we know when the chemo will stop. He is in much better spirits now, and very "uplifted" since he started to feel better. He has told us before that he could feel the tumor in his chest, ecspecially when he coughed. But after the first chemo, he said that it was not hurting him anymore! A great sign! Also, as you suggested, a physical therapist would be a great idea ecspecially if he is unsteady on his feet from being weak. I know under my parents health plan, a physical therapist can even come to the house if the doctor orders it, so check it out. That way, he would have to get up and do some exercising if they come to his house! To keep mentally and physically strong during this whole experience is definately a challenge, but as I found out, as you get further into it, and the more you understand, the easier it is for both you and your father. Best of luck to you and your family!

I had posted about a month ago regarding my father not being able to get a "definative" diagnosis for my father. Finally, after three months, we finally have one. Squamos cell stage IIIA, and he starts chemo today. Donna and onco doc talked about a new procedure that is done by a GI doctor. That is exactly what they did for my dad. What happened is that my father was hospitalized twice in September for a colon infection called C-Diff (for short) which he picked up in the hospital in July when he was there for pnuemonia. The second time he was in, he got a fabulous doctor that I cornered and pleaded for help. I told her our plight, and begged her help to get a diagnosis. She got together a "think tank" full of doctors at University Medical Center in Tucson, and they realized they could get a biopsy going down the esophogus. The GI doctor told us the only two places this procedure is done in Arizona is at UMC and the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. He also said that not many pulmonologists know about this procedure, in that it can help lung cancer patients obtain a biopsy where none could be done before. The GI doc said that they use it a lot for liver and other biopsies in the abdomen, but he said unfortunately, not many Pulmonologists refer him patients who could be greatly helped with this procedure. My fathers pulmonologist (obviously) did not even know about the procedure. Even the oncoligst said he would have never even thought about getting a biopsy that way! My father has no spread of the cancer except a few lymph nodes and the mass in his right lung which is 5cm x 4 cm. What a scary roller coaster it's been not knowing if we were going to be able to get him the care he so desperately needed. I just want to spread the word about this procedure, as it was a lifesaver for my father, and could be for many more! As my father starts chemo today (carbo/taxol) we are very afraid. My father is so weakened from having the colon infection for so long (went undiagnosed by his doctor for 6 weeks ) now comes the chemo. He will have two cycles, once a week for 3 weeks then the 4th week off. He said my father will have very few side effects, mostly fatigue and loss of hair, but not a lot of the severe effects such as vomiting and nausea. After that, radiation, which the oncologist said after the 3 1/2 to 4 week mark would get unpleasant due to the radiation field encompassing the esophogus. I must say that my father has a WONDERFUL oncologist. My father thanked him for taking such good care of him, and he responded that his philosophy is to treat all his patients as if they were his own family. You don't find that very often anymore. My mom told the oncologist she was afraid of everything that is going to be happening, and the oncologist told her "I am confident I can get him through this safely". Coming from a man we respect so much, that meant a lot. I hope this information can be helpful to someone else in this situation, and I pray for my father and everyone else jornying down this path we would have rather not taken. I will try and update when I can and let you know how he is doing!

I want to thank you so much Donna for this VERY valuable information! I printed out a copy of the web site link and gave it to my parents to take to the oncologist next week. I am just suprised that not one of my father's doctors has mentioned this, even if it meant going to another city, such as Phoenix, to get it done. As for the location of the mass, it is in the right upper center of his chest, in back of the lung pressing ever so slightly on the trachea. Also, thank you so much to "oncodoc" for your input. I found that to be very "uplifting"! I understand the implications of treating someone for cancer that does not have it, but the other alternatives are also just as scary. I found one thing interesting that you said regarding TB. My father has never been tested for TB, but he has been tested for Valley Fever (a disease indicitive to the Southwest that comes from mold spores in the dust which can cause lung problems, and even masses) but that test was negative. Not one of his doc's even mentioned testing him for TB. I will have to bring that up with the oncologist as well. If we can't find anyone in our area that does the procedure you are referring to, I am hoping maybe the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale will be able to. My parents and I have decided that if we do not get anywhere with the oncologist next week, we are going to try the Mayo Clinic. It will be expensive as their insurance will not cover it, but my fathers life is priceless, and worth so much more than money will ever be! I can't thank you both enough for this very important information - at least now I have hope that there is maybe something else that can be done! I will keep you updated on what happens! Thank you again!

I wrote some time ago regarding my father who had just been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing a cat scan. The problem now is that there does not seem to be any way to confirm the diagnosis of cancer, and no one will treat him for cancer without a definative diagnosis of cancer. The mass is behind the right lung, and they do not know if it is pushing out of the lung into the lymph nodes or a tumor on the lymph node itself pushing into the lung. 4 radiologists were contacted and all 4 said they could not due a needle biopsy due to it's location. Too many large blood vessels in the way. A bronchoscopy was done with a "Wang Needle Procedure", but the results were inconclusive. Cells from the biopsy were normal, but cells from a saline wash of the mass showed to be "suggestive" of squamos cell carcinoma. He was then sent to a very well known surgeon in our area to discuss a "scope" procedure, but he also said that due to the location of the mass, he was unable to get to it. We were told the only way to get a biopsy was to do open chest surgery. As my father is oxygen 24/7, the surgeon said it was too risky a procedure for him, as he may not ever come off the ventalator after surgery. So, now after two months (this all started on July 16th), we are no closer to getting the answers we need. The pulmonologist basically said there is no more she can do for him, and is sending him to an oncologist next week for another opinion, and maybe the oncologist will want to do a CAT or PET scan. My parents have an HMO, and do not have the financial means to go out on their own. There is the MAYO clinic about two hours from where we live where I would like to take my father there for another opinion, but they do not accept HMO's (obviously). Has anyone ever had this happen, that a confirmed diagnosis could not be made? And if you have gone through it, what if any treatment was done? I am so scared we are running out of options. I can understand that if it isn't cancer, the treatments would do him more harm than good. But on the other hand, what if it is cancer, and nothing is done about it? I feel like they couln't just sit back and do nothing, but apparently, that is what will happen if a confirmed diagnosis is not made. My father had another CAT scan Friday to see if it has grown. At last scan, the mass was 5cm x 4cm. The pulmonologist said that when she did the broncoscopy, the tissue on the outside of the mass looked normal, and that she does not think the cancer has spread. I would hope and pray for that to be the case, but it seems to confuse the diagnosis. Does anyone know of where I can turn to help my father? This is really wearing on us all - ecspecially my father. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thank you so much for all the reply's regarding my father and his newly diagnosed lung cancer. I so appreciate all the information, ecapecially to Don who replied within minutes. I could not reply until now, as when I wrote originally, I was at work, and crying. I felt like I just needed a friend, and after I wrote, I was able to get calmed down. But as I said, I was at work, and could not devote any more time at that point. I also appreciate the information on the ultrasound, as I feel that would be a very viable option for my father. His pulmonologist said she would probably not be able to get to the tumor with the bronchoscopy due to it's location, but she is going to try. That leaves me feeling very uneasy, as they could not even get to it with a needle biopsy. I am hoping the pulmonologist does not do more damage than it's worth, as I am concerned with a collapsed lung. My parents have asked their primary care physician for a referral (they have an HMO) to another pulmonologist, but she said "that would just complicate things until the biopsy is done" and would not give them one. There is a doctor I want my father to see, and I am willing to pay for the visit, but yet my father is scheduled for the bronchoscopy Monday morning. My gut feeling is to suggest my father not have the procedure on Monday, but we had such a hard time getting the pulmonologist to do anything at all. For a week, my mom kept calling the office, with no return calls. As we now found out today, apparently, the pulmonologist asked 4 radiologists to do the needle biopsy, and all declined saying they could not get to the tumor. But yet the pulmonologist never called and let my parents know what was going on. I feel so uneasy about this whole thing. My father has seen this pulmonologist for the past four years for this emphysema (sp) so we felt (until now) confident in her abilities. My father has always told me "if in doubt, forget about". Also, antoher concern is that if we cancel the procedure on Monday, we don't know when we could re-schedule - either with the current pulmonologist or another one, and apparently the tumor was not there in April, and is now 5cm x 4 cm large. So it is growing very fast, and it seems time is of the essence. My father will do whatever my mom and I decide, as he knows we always have his best interests in mind. He is very capable of making his own decisons, and has told me he has had such a bad feeling in his stomach about this procedure, and the hospital in which it is going to be done. But yet, he is so scared to start with. As we all are. As you can tell, I am so very close to my parents, ecspecially my father. I am 41, and my father is 74. I don't know what is the right thing to do right now. I know this is very long, but I have followed this web site for over a month, since my fahter had pneumonia, and was given the news that he might have a very serious problem. I wrote in because I was so touched at the "togetherness" of this web site community, and I really need the support and knowledge of those who have experienced what I am only just begining too. Thank you all who have opened your heart to me. It will always be remembered and appreciated.

My father has been diagnosed with lung cancer 5cm x 4cm in his right lung. He has emphysema and COPD, and on oxygen 24 hours a day. They will be doing a bronchoscopy on Monday, as they cannot do a needle biopsy due to where the tumor is at. I am so very, very afraid of this disease. From what I've been reading, pleople with emphysema don't qualify for chemo. Is this true? If so, why is that. My fathers health is otherwise very good. He still exercises, and volunteers 3 days a week. I am just praying they don't tell us there is nothing they can do. I would hope they would at least be able to do something! The waiting is the hardest part. They have already told my father the tumor is unoperable due to it's location and his emphysema. I would appreciate any kind words from anyone who has survived without surgery, and info on chemo. Thank you all for all the support.