Father just diagnosed with NSCLC adenocarcimona

[glo821]

My 73 year old father was just diagnosed with NSCLC that has metastized to his adrenal gland. He didn't have your typical lung related symtoms, and was therefore difficult to diagnose. His only symptoms were weight loss (about 40 pounds in the course of 4 months), nausea and occasional nose-bleeds. He was diagnosed on Thursday, August 7th, 2008, and will be starting chemo sometime next week. The treatment recommended was Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin, once every three weeks for three cycles; at which time, they will do a scan and see if the treatment is working.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my introduction.

Gloria

[SandraL]

Hi Gloria. Sorry to hear about your dad and your need to be here. I am glad to hear there is a treatment plan in place. Best wishes with that and please keep up us posted on his progress and any questions you might have. There are lots of kind supportive folks here who would be more than happy to answer them. Take care

Sandra

[glo821]

i do have questions that I posted on another thread here. I'll post it here as well. I could really use information and support, so I thank you for both!

Here goes:

My father was just diagnosed with NSCLC that has metastized to his adrenal gland, therefore surgery is not an option at this point. Before being diagnosed, he was under the constant care of his general practitioner with his only symptoms being weight loss (about 40 pounds in the course of 4 months), nausea and nose-bleeds. Because he had no other symptoms, diagnosing him was difficult. He underwent various tests, including CT scans, CT assisted lung biopsy, biopsy of the prostate and was evaluated by an Urologist and an Oncologist. After several visits that spanned the course of approximately four months, he was finally diagnosed last Thursday, August 7th. He will be starting chemo sometime next week. The treatment recommended was Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin, once every three weeks for three cycles; at which time, they will do a scan and see if the treatment is working.

I have visited several forums and am amazed at the amount of compassion and knowledge of people that have first-hand experience in dealing with cancer, either on a personal level or helping a loved-one through it. Based on recommendations on forums that we keep our fathers head, hands and feet cool during treatment, I have placed an order for "Mira Cool" products, such as the bucket hat, do-rag, and various other Mira Cool items, that I found after doing a google search on personal cooling systems. You can see the web site here: http://www.tuffrhino.com/Cooling_Produc ... agodk2cZrQ

I plan on buying dry ice and putting it in a cooler in order to keep gloves and socks in it to keep those areas cool. I'm wondering if there is anything else you could recommend? Would these items be enough? Should I get something more? What else can we expect from his receiving this treatment? What can we do to make this easier on our father? Also, what can you tell me about the Budwig diet? Is there any truth to the assertion that the diet can help with the prognosis?

As you can imagine, we are all very scared. My father is a very stoic and proud Mexican man that we love dearly. He is also the best patient anyone could ask for because he will do whatever it takes to feel better. We're hoping to make the transition into treatment as easy for him as possible; therefore, if you could make any recommendation or suggestion, it would very much be appreciated.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post.

Gloria, loving daughter of Raul Riesgo

Thanks again for taking the time to read this post!

[shellit74]

Hi Gloria,

Welcome to LCSC.... I hope you find the support and information you need here. The people you will meet here are wonderful and helpful!

As for the keeping the head/hands/feet cool... I dont have personal experience with it, but once while working at the cancer center, there was woman who was really worried about losing her hair so she searched online and found something in England and ordered this cap thing, that every half hour while she was getting treatment we would have to relplace the caps, that were filled with Dry Ice. Sorry I dont have more info on it, i guess I just wanted to day that I have heard of it.

Shelli

[Patti B]

Hi Gloria-

Welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis.

My initial treatments were the Carbo/Taxol/Avastin trio. I never really needed anything to cool me down but I guess everyone is different. Others here may come along that tried those products or that used dry ice.

Good luck to your dad with his treatments and please keep posting and keep us updated.

Hugs - Patti B

[Don M]

Hi Gloria and welcome. I hope your dad's chemo brings good results. I have been taking taxotere and I had my fingers cooled in ice. the chemo nurses told me that if the extremities are kept cool, the chemo will have less access there and so i suppose there could be less hair loss, less numbing of the extremities and less nail changes.

Don M

[Flyman35]

Hi Gloria

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. I have not heard of or have any experience regarding keeping cool but some may come along that have. You have come across a very knowledgable and supportive group. Keep posting and lets us know how it goes with your dad's treatment.

Denise

[glo821]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my introduction. I am so humbled by the response and amazed by your stories.

I am hoping to find information and comfort here, as well as hope to provide comfort to others sufering from this horrible disease.

I was also wondering if anyone had heard of the Budwig diet? What can anyone tell me about that?

Thank you!

[recce101]

Hi, Gloria, welcome to the group. I saw your post at cancergrace.org and have been watching for Dr. West's reply -- he will probably make some comments today. A few months ago someone asked him about the cooling technique during infusions, and as I recall they weren't using it at his clinic at the time, but he thought the approach had merit and he was looking into it.

Most oncologists discourage the use of special diets during chemo. While there may be evidence that certain diets may have anti-cancer properties when used alone, sometimes they can work at cross-purposes with the chemo drugs that are being received. A relatively normal, healthy diet is generally recommended. Sometimes that has to be modified because of eating difficulties during chemo treatment, and many of us had to rely in part on liquid nourishment such as Ensure, Boost, or Carnation Instant Breakfast powders mixed in milk.

During my Taxol/Carboplatin/Avastin treatment I had a lot of problems with my feet -- peeling, blistering, burning rash which limited my walking, and during my 6th cycle a potentially serious onset of peripheral neuropathy. Maybe keeping my feet cool during infusions would have helped, but I hadn't heard about the technique at that time. I did soak my feet in ice water at home, and that helped some. I think you're very wise to pursue the cooling products.

Your father at 73 will be getting the same chemo regimen that I had at 71. Aside from the foot problems mentioned above, my side effects were quite tolerable and I had good results from it. Following the link below will give you a lot more info on my experience with the treatment. Best wishes to you both and Aloha,

Ned

[glo821]

Just checking in to update you on my father's status. He had his first chemotherapy treatment yesterday. I was with him all day at the hospital. We arrived at 7am, and were told that the infusion would last approximately five hours. We didn't leave until 5pm. (!!)

As most of you predicted, he slept throughout his treatment. I waited for him outside (in the waiting room), but went in to check on him about once every hour. I also made sure he ate something, whether it was 1/2 a turkey sandwich, banana, or cracker. He got mad at me for "bugging him" about eating, but hey, that's my job!

So far (knock on wood), he hasn't had any adverse reactions to his chemo. I brought him home yesterday, where he ate dinner and was feeling no nausea or fatigue. This morning, he had to take his first nausea medication, which worked instantly, and I was able to cook breakfast for him. A few hours later, he said he was hungry and asked to eat! He hasn't done that in a LONG TIME! I'm taking these all as good signs. He did look a bit redder than usual this morning, but it wasn't too bad. He just looked a bit flushed. In reading the paperwork that we were provided with, I noted that this was a normal sign...so I'm not too worried about that.

I was wondering when he might be feeling the reaction of the chemo? Is it typical not to feel anything in the first day after?

Thank you all for your support!

Gloria

[recce101]

"glo821 "I was wondering when he might be feeling the reaction of the chemo? Is it typical not to feel anything in the first day after?

Right. Once the Benadryl premed drowsies wear off, the steroid premed (probably Decadron) will keep him "up" through most of the second day (today). Some fatigue will most likely set in this evening (and will be increased if he's getting a Neulasta injection today). I found the fatigue peaked around the fourth day and my energy started returning after that.

Glad there was no allergic reaction during the infusion (I had none). Keep us updated! Aloha,

Ned

[CaroleHammett]

Hi, Gloria.

A belated welcome to our group, hopes that your father escapes the worst of the chemo side effeccts (many do) and that the chemo kicks the heck out of his cancer cells!

Affectionately,

carole