Michele58 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Hello All! My name is Michele and we just found out that my dad (Henry) has Stage 4 lung cancer, not only has it spread on his lungs, it's also in his bones. BUT that is not IT! Believe it or not, he also has COPD Chroic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He started Chemo today, and all of this is like a whirlwind!! I can't seem to grasp my feelings on all of it. I talk to him and he seems like my dad! Normal, like nothing is wrong. But inside him it's so bad! I am on this site to get as much information as I possibly can, and know that he's not alone with this! SO please anyone with any experience with Lung cancer and COPD, write me! I need info! I don't trust all these websites out there, I read and read and it really doesn't give me much, just a headache and soar shoulders! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbb Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Michele, You are in the right place to get info and help. The people here are so wonderfully supportive and can help guide you. My best wishes go to you and your family as you start your journey. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat127 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 my sister also has moderate COPD. i think it is not an uncommon thing to find in LC patients. if that helps ease your mind at all. we all know about the whirlwind of those first days, and everyone will tell you, it gets better once you get a gameplan in place. hang in there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Welcome Michele. This is a good place to start collecting information. We have a lot of people here with far more experience with LC than anyone would want to have. You should also be able to find good reliable information from the websites of major cancer centers. MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mayo Clinic, Moffitt have lots of information about lung cancer. I agree with cat127 that it's not unusual to have lung cancer and COPD. Has the doctor put him on Advair or Singular? That might help him some. It is easy to become overwhelmed at the beginning. I feel that the more you can learn about cancer and treatments the better the situation will be for you and your dad. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Hi, Michele, welcome to the LCSC! Please don't hesitate to ask questions. There are no dumb questions! In my 15 months here I have NEVER seen a snippy or condescending answer from a member of this group -- it simply isn't done. After you've browsed the sites Muriel mentioned, I suggest you visit onctalk.com. There's a wealth of information there, primarily on lung cancer, constantly updated by a Seattle oncologist who is an internationally-recognized expert on lung cancer and who gives high priority to promptly answering questions from people like you and me. A lot of us have "dual citizenship" so to speak, and use the same usernames there as here. You'll soon be up to speed and able to help your father more than you can imagine. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Michele, Welcome and sorry you had to come here. I can't really help with the COPD. Just wanted to say that my Dad, George, was dx w/ Stage IV several weeks ago. Similiar to yours he seemed outwardly good, but not at all on the inside. The insanity of the 1st several weeks is finally slowing down now that his treatments started. I spent a lot of time reading everythingh I could find, but found searching these sites one of the best sources of up-to-date information by reading other's experiences/treatments. Dr. West's site is really good. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley (MLC) Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Welcome Michele, so sorry to hear about your dad but you have found the right place for support and answers. It does get a little easier once you start understanding all the new terms and treatments your dad is having. Pleased keep us posted and let us know what we can do to help. Shelley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvillella Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Michele I was diagnosed with COPD with chronic bronchitis prior to my diagnosis of lung cancer. The one thing I do know is that the COPD in my case makes it a little harder to breath when I exert myself. Look at my profile at the end of the reply and you will see what I have gone through with this. I am now stage 4 because of brain mets and am off all medications as they don't think it will prolong my life any. The people here have lots of experience with the ins and outs so ask away and I will put your dad in my prayers. Ralph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Hi Michele, Welcome here and I am so so sorry for your dads diagnosis. My heart goes out to you. I know how scared you must be. Keep a positive attitude and a smile around him. If he keeps a positive attitude that is half the battle as it would not work otherwise. There are many people on here who were diagnosis with stage IV who were actually given, months, weeks etc, but they are still with us. NEVER GIVE UP!!! We are always here for you, you are never alone. I cannot help you with the COPD but I am sure you will hear from people who have that. Keep him close and always be there for him. I know how special dads are and just believe that miracles do happen. We have seen it on here many times. When you get a chance go to the top where it saids my profile and post his so we know what kind of LC he has and what kind of treatments they are giving him. Hang strong sweetie, Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Welcome! I am sorry to hear about your dad. There are many stage vi survivors here at lcsc. I had lc in my bone two years ago. Today, I have no evidence of the disease. There is hope!! All my best, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Welcome Michele, Sorry to hear about your dad but glad you found us. Stay with us, great place for sharing, caring and support. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Michelle, Welcome, I'm so glad you found us. You've got a lot to deal with and it is always scariest in the beginning. My mom was diagnosed stage IV almost one year ago (with bone mets) and she is doing great now. Her disease is stable and she is feeling good, so there is hope. Don't even let anyone tell you there is no hope. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolyn Cruickshanks Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Welcome, my dad is stage 3B-inoperable. We found out the end of October '07. He was being treated for COPD but unfortunately it was cancer. Treatments were too much for him. He has decided to live the rest of his life without the sickness and misery of chemo & radiation. He is to see his onc on 1-7-08. I try to be with him every day. My heart aches for what he is going through and I can't bear the thought of letting him go, but I'm doing better. Be there as much as you can and show him your love. Stay strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Welcome. I am very sorry to hear about your father. Keep us posted on how he is doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Welcome Michelle, sorry about your dad, you are in the right place to get information. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Welcome Michelle. I don't know if anyone can fully get their arms around this disease. I know it still seems like a bad dream to me. People speak of a new normal or a new way at looking at your life. I guess that does come with time as you settle into a routine of treatment and scans. Just be encouraged that treatment is more effective these days, that people are living longer and that some people with advanced cancer have been in remission for many years. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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