stormwatch Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Hi all, Day before yesterday my 85-year old dad got the diagnosis of lung cancer with mets to the ribs... He is scheduled for a bone scan and the Doc's will try to recover some cancer cells from his ribs, via his esophagus... I am heartbroken... Anyone know what that test is called, the one where they try to scrape cells of ribs via the esophagus??? He is 85, he will not take chemo, but, what are the side effects of radiation to ribs??? (for pain) Is it worth it??? He is in pain, but not horribly... Sorry, I am sure this is disjointed, but so am I just now... I lost a brother two years ago to cancer, my dad had lost his dad and all his siblings to cancer... I hate this disease, but have loved all the people who got to deal with it... More than any of them, I love my dad... Thanks for listening. Stormwatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Radiation can be a good way to deal with pain issues and have heard a lot of people have that radiation result in relief. Of course everyone has different sideeffects. Best of luck to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Hello Stormwatch and welcome So sorry about your Dad but glad you have found this site. I have no first hand knowledge that I can offer but wanted to welcome you and let you know that we are glad you are here. I am sure there will be others along shortly that can and will offer you some advice and answers. Please keep us posted and let us know how else we can be of help. My best to you and your Dad, Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowergirlie Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I am not familiar with the effects of radiation (my husband only had chemo) but just wanted to say hi, welcome, sorry you have to be here and I am very sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. Cancer is so horrible. Do you know what kind of cancer your dad has (small cell, non small cell??). My thoughts are with you! Flowergirlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jme Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 My husband had radiation and his LC had also spread to his bones. The radiations did give him some relief. You and your dad are in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormwatch Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 Hi again, Thank you for your replies. My dad saw the Lung specialist for the results of the tests he had done. The news is not good. In addition to spread to the rib, it has also spread to the adrenal gland and under and above the one lung. Chemo is out of the question for him, but the Dr. is suggesting three weeks of daily radiation. This will be mostly palliative and get rid of the pain from the spread to the rib. He has been told he will experience severe fatigue. Any suggestions, anything he can start doing now to help? Any supplements etc... He is a heart patient and also has diabetes. (Type 2) I feel so torn, on the one hand I hope he will not have to suffer long, on the other, it is so hard to think of him no longer there... I feel blaaaaaaaaaaaaah. I wish I lived closer to them so I could help, but unfortunately, that is not the case. The Dr. thinks that considering his age, it could be at least a year yet, possibly longer. Sorry this is such depressing news. Stormwatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Stormwatch,. I am so sorry about your news. Cancer is such a dreadful disease...noone deserves this. May you know peace during the upciming months of decisions, treatments, and wear and tear on both your dad's body with treatments, and your body with stress. My dad had what was called a bronchoscopy. They went down his throat, clipped off a piece and tested it. This was fairly unpainful for dad. They sprayed some TERRIBLE tasting stuff into his throat that he remembers, but beyond that he only had a sore throat for a few days. He ate soft foods and did fine. Radiation can be given for pain, for treatment of cancer, or other things. Take it one day at a time...keep us posted, and let us know what you need. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 My MIL is a year older than your father. She elected to have radiation only (no chemo) on her tumor and handled it well and is doing fine two years later. In older people cancer seems to grow slower so your dad may be fine for some time. I hope you can go visit him soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Saying prayers for your dad and hoping he does well during his treatments. Please know that we are thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I am sorry to hear of your dad's bad news. I hope he responds well to his treatment. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystleshoe Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 hi I am sorry that you have to be here. My mom did 10 rounds of radiation to shrink her tumor and help with the pain. It did seem to help her some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Cer Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 I am sorry to hear about your Dad. You and your family are in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enyaw061032 Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Hello, Stormwatch: Sorry to hear about your Dad. This lung cancer is a savage disease, and nobody deserves it! Sending prayers that your Dad will get his treatments started and do well with them, and that you will hold up without too much stress. I also hope and pray that the radiation will ease any pain or discomfort that he has. Love and prayers Barn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormwatch Posted March 23, 2007 Author Share Posted March 23, 2007 Hi everyone, Thank you all for your kind replies. My dad has started radiation and will be getting 10 treatments. Today he had the second one, and he says the pain seems to have increased a little. I thought this might be caused by inflammation/swelling due to radiation, does that make sense? I am grateful for this website, you seem like a wonderful bunch of people, and yes, cancer sux bigtime!!! Stormwatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowergirlie Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 Cancer does suck! I am sorry you have to go through this with your dad. Sending positive thoughts and hoping the pain is reduced quickly. Flowergirlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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