jendew Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Hi, everyone. My name is Jenny, and my father was diagnosed with stage 3-4 squamous cell lung cancer in October of last year. He immediately had surgery (wedge resection and removal of two ribs the tumor had attched to), and he finished his treatments with paxitaxol and radiation in February. Now it seems we are having a recurrence in the same lung. He is in constant pain, and has had to be put back on oxygen therapy at home. I'm just not handling this well, and need the support. We also just lost a 37 year old family friend with non small cell lung cancer a couple of months ago. My mother is a 14 year breast cancer survivor, so I guess I assumed my father would beat the odds, too. I'm just shocked and feel lost right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Hi Jenny, I completely understand the way you are feeling; I am guessing in shock all over again. Recurrence is the pits. Do you folks have any plans in place for fighting the beast back? You have come to the right place for understanding and support. We are all here for you. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jendew Posted June 20, 2006 Author Share Posted June 20, 2006 No plans yet because the CT guided needle biopsy was this morning. We won't have the true results back for a couple of days yet. However, the radiologist that performed the test along with his oncologist has prepared us for the worst. We also found out today that he's got an elevated white cell count with pneumonia. You're right. This is the pits. We haven't told my dad yet what the radiologist has found yet because there are already so many ups and downs with this disease. We didn't want to tell him that the radiologist is sure that it's cancer, and then it hopefully come back non-malignant. I know it's only a slim chance, but I'm grasping at any chance at this point. I'm only 34 and not ready to lose my father yet. I hate having to explain this disease to my children when I don't even understand it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Hello Jenny and welcome, I am very sorry to hear about your dad. I am glad you found this site though. This is the greatest group of people here and they will be more than happy to answer any questions you have and the support is just incredible! Please keep us posted on your dad and know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Hugs Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Welcome, Jenny. Sorry about your dad. Let us know how we may support you and keep us posted. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Hi Jenny, Reading your story I can feel the pain and hurt in your words. You're trying to be as strong as you can but it's tough. You're dad is doing the same thing. Let the docs have a shot at what is going on. Are you happy with the docs that he has? Don't ever be afraid of getting a second opinion. We say that alot here, but we mean it. If you need anything at all, just ask. We're here to help you and your family. Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Jenny, I am so sorry to hear about your news. Life deals such blows some times. Be sure to keep your chin up, and know that we at this site are here to listen. God bless you and I pray that God grants you peace during this difficult time. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma's kid Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Hi Jen, I thought I replied earlier but maybe my post went poof and is out in cyberspace somewhere Welcome to the board and please don't hesitate to ask us if there is something you need or if you have a question..this board is all about support and I am so glad you found us. Many prayers Libby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Hi Jen, Sorry to hear about your dad's reoccurance. I could imagine how scarey that is after you expect that he would be okay. They will find something that will work for him be it chemo and maybe another operation to take out more of the lung. I am sorry you are going through these hard times. Keep us posted on his progress. We are here for you, you do not have to go through this alone. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaffie Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Jenny, I'm so sorry, the recurrence can be worse than the original diagnosis on an emotional level. I agree with the 2nd opinion, now is the time to get seriously comfortable with your doctors. Read profiles, there are many peple who have had long live after recurrence. Good luck Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted June 22, 2006 Share Posted June 22, 2006 jenny! I know how scary and sad a recurrance is, but please look below at my mother's history! sounds a lot like your dad, and she is doing great!! she had a resection in 2000, then lost her whole lung last year when the cancer came back in the same lung. the surgery really put her through the ringer, and she couldn't have chemo as planned, but now she's living life on the Tarceva train, with no oxygen. so don't lose hope!! we're here, and we can support you, so you, in turn, can support your dad. that's what this place did for me, anyway. xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted June 22, 2006 Share Posted June 22, 2006 Hi Jenny, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I don't have much to add to all the great advice you've already received. I just wanted to welcome you and tell you I will be praying hard for your dad to get some good news be it a non-malignant result from his biopsy or a treatment plan to brings about a cure. Please hold onto hope, your dad can still beat this. Sending you love and warm thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jendew Posted June 22, 2006 Author Share Posted June 22, 2006 Thank you for all of your kind replies. We just had confirmation that the squamous cell carcinoma is definitely back. It is still localized to the one lung so hopefully we can get a handle on this monster soon. I just hate that so many of us are faced with this ugly disease. We should get back in to see the oncologist within the next day or so and begin the battle again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelepal Posted June 22, 2006 Share Posted June 22, 2006 Jenny, I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this again. Stay strong and positive! My prayers will be with your family as you deal with this monster.. (((HUGS))) Michele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyanne Posted June 22, 2006 Share Posted June 22, 2006 Jenny - Once you get another plan in place, all of you can focus on beating the crap out of this beast. You have gotten great advice here -- so I will just say Welcome. There are so many daughters on this site -- fighting they battle with their mom or dad, or dealing with the incredible loss of a parent. We undestand. We really, really do. Love, Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted June 22, 2006 Share Posted June 22, 2006 Hi Jenny and welcome. A recurrence is no fun. Fortunately it is still within your dad's lung and can be dealt with. I have had 2 recurrences and I expect to be NED again. Your dad has my best wishes. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 So sorry to hear about your dad's recurrence -- truly sucks. Hang in there and I'll be praying that he beats the beast back once again. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmrsm Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Welcome Jenny. I so sorry to hear about your dad. It sure is the pits. I was 33 and pregnant. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Good luck Cathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMarie Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Jenny, Welcome, so sorry to hear about your dad.Lung cancer tends to be such a roller coaster ride and I don't know about you but I have never liked roller coasters! My mom is a two year survivor of NSCLC stage IV. Tomorrow we see the pulmonary doctor and hopefully get my dad's PET scan results as he too has a lung nodule. I think I can understand how you are feeling right now but hang in there as I keep meeting some great survivors of this disease. My prayers are with you. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jendew Posted June 27, 2006 Author Share Posted June 27, 2006 Roller Coasters have never been my favorite, either. Daddy is o.k...just in a lot of pain, but he's going to a pain management specialist for that. We're thinking it's more pain from the surgery and ribs being removed than from cancer since the pain was there long before the recurrence. He's not sleeping well due to the pain and worry, also, I'm sure. Wednesday is the day we go to the oncologist again. Thanks to this site, I'm armed with loads of questions. My sister and I will both be there to support my parents. Thank you all for your stories of inspiration and hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Jenny: Sorry you had to find us, but glad you did! Guess I'm late on this welcome wagon (not sure how I missed you!). Glad your dad is doing ok -- a pain management specialist should be the ticket to get his nagging pain under better control. Sounds like you are well-prepared for Wed. onc. visit now. Keep us posted. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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