Debra Ann Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Dear Lungevity Community, I'm uncertain as to how I found this site but I am very glad I have. I've been reading posts for a couple of weeks now and decided to jump on board. I've left my home outside of Little Rock to stay and help my Dad here in Missouri. We are in a very rural and small community. I'm sure this website will help me feel surrounded by folks. I wished I had all the detailed information of my Dad's lung cancer history as I've noticed in most of your posts, but I don't. I'll just have to summarize it in a nutshell. January 7, 2007 is when we found out Dad had Stage IV lung cancer, left lung. This was discovered while trying to detect what was creating the extreme pain of his left arm. Besides in the lung, the cancer was in the bone of the left arm as well as in his lymph nodes. He had surgery on his arm, followed with radiation and then several series of chemo. It was last month that he was told the chemo was not working as there was a new spot now on the lung as well as a small spot on his liver. I'm not sure of which chemo drugs were used along the way, I know the chemo has been on going for some time though. He will now be on the drug Tarceva for 2 months at which time he will get more tests. If this drug is holding the cancer at bay, he will continue to take it. If not, then he will discontinue taking it. It's my understanding that this is pretty much it as far as the plan of treatment. The doctor did say that if he was not taking Tarceva that hospice could come in at this time but since he's on Tarceva this is still a treatment for his disease and they won't come in until he's no longer being treated. I guess you can tell that I am not very informed medically about all of this which is why I am looking forward to being a part of this community. I have been to several doctor's visits in the nearly 2 years of my Dad's journey. I do love his doctors and staff. I've just basically tried not to take over my Dad's "business" and let him take whatever route he chose. It's that he is now so weak and frail it's hard for him to do much of anything. I am now here to stay and I'm sure I'll be getting very educated along the way. I'm just so fearful of what lies ahead and hope I can provide the care my Dad will need. It's all on me so I hope I don't let myself down but mainly him. Right now I don't have any questions, I guess I'm just seeking some reasurance as a caregiver. Thank you in advance for any and all forms of support. Debra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Welcome Debra,I cant give you much information from a caregiver point of view but your father sounds like he has been blessed with a very wonderful daughter.Im sure many more will be checking in shortly to welcome you and help you with any caregiver questions you may have. I am glad you found this board and my prayers are with you and your father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Hi, Debra, welcome to the group. I hope your dad gets good benefit from the Tarceva. For most patients, it's not quite as hard on the body as the various IV chemos. I was on Tarceva for 16 months, and once I figured out how to control the rash and some of the lesser side effects, I was comfortable with the treatment and felt "good inside" most of the time. Bless you for being such a caring daughter. Anytime something unusual or unfamiliar happens with your dad's treatment and side effects, post a quick question and we'll be glad to help. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Its good that you are letting dad make the decisions and guiding him and supporting him along the way. Its ok to be scared. It iis normal to be scared. You are doing the right things. As long as you and dad are comfortable and HAPPY with dads care and his team that's good. If you ever have a doubt as to what they tell you GET a 2nd opinion or a 3rd opinion. Sorry you have to be here but We are glad that you are. Post up whenever the need arises. IT can be anything at all even just getting something off of your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Hello Debra, Welcome to the group. The people here are "family" in a very true sense of that word. You are a wonderful daughter. My husband and I have the advantage of having our dear daughter visit every Sunday for dinner, and is available to help at a moment's notice. As to the "journey" with lung cancer, it is a great help to ask as many questions of the doctors as you need. I write them down (getting too old to remember everything ). We have been asking them now for four years, eight months into this trek. Never feel hesitant about coming here, even if it is to vent. The reason doesn't matter. We are always here. This community has given much-needed support whenever it was asked. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kukla Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Hi Debra Ann - This is the best place to be. I've tried some other support over the past year and this is the place that is bookmarked. Everyone I have met in this virtual world is fantastic. What a change to your life, the cancer and the move. You have a lot to adjust to. What you are doing is wonderful and your dad I'm sure is so appreciative. I think the beginning is very scary, the adjustment is huge. But I wouldn't trade being here for anything - I value each day in a new way. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilyjohn Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Debra Ann Reading your post takes me back over the years. I can remember the fear and the feelings of inadaquacy when faced with the care of someone you love. Not long after I joined this board in 2003 I posted a message to new caregivers. I really believe that what I said covered so much of what we all face as caregivers. I hope you don't mind if I repost here in response to your questions. Yes you can do it but it will be the ride of your life. So at the rish of sounding too self sure here goes. I have a message for those of you who are new here. There are some things that you need to know as you embark upon this journy known as lung cancer. This will be the hardest battle that you will ever fight. It takes so much from you. It will make you cry in pain and fear as well as frustration. It will make you curse fate and at times even God. Your heart will be broken over and over. Many times you will feel like you are alone in this world and no one understands. Especially if your battle ends as mine did in far too short a time. Fortunatly you have found this board. I was not so lucky at the time I fought the battle with my Johnny. You will find so many caring and loving people here. Lung cancer takes it's toll quickly and long term for those of us who travel this road of fear, pain and uncertainty. It will take everything you are and have. Just when you think that you have no more to give it will demand more. You will find out then that you can reach down into the depths of yourself and find more to give. There is also a lot that you will recieve without even knowing it for a very long time. You will learn the depth and power of love. You will find a side of yourself that you never knew existed. You will experience love in every way from pain to the most high reaches of it's glory. You will be forced to learn patience and many times your patience will be tried. You will find a faith in God or whoever you believe in that is the strongest it has ever been. Often without realizing it you will find yourself either thanking God or begging him for help. Never again will you see someone in pain either physical or emotional and turn away. The depth of your compassion will amaze you. You will know other peoples pain and they will know yours. All of your beliefs will be tested and many will change. If and when the battle is lost you will find a belief in another life. There is no other way that you can go through these times without learning so many things. Cancer is a mean and nasty demon. It offen strikes when life is finally going your way and giving you what you have worked and hoped for all of your life. The person who has cancer will go through many stages both physical and emotional. You will be taken along for the ride. There will be times you want to stop and get off but the rollercoaster is moving far too fast. I have suffered much pain because of cancer and what it cost me with the death of both my mother and the love of my life. I will never be the same person I was just a few short years ago. In many ways that is hard to accept but in many others it makes me proud to see the person that I have become. We question fate and God but I have come to believe that we are given this road to make us grow. To what purpose who knows. Ours is to accept and maybe in time we will know the answers. God Bless each and every one of you. The road ahead may be long and frightening but it is a road that you will go down and someday the end of your road will be appearant. Always remember you are not alone. God is with you and even if you do not believe in God know that there are many of us here who have been or are where you are going. Together our burdons will be lighter than they would have been otherwise. Remember to stay positive and above all remember that love is the one thing that this disease doesn't destroy instead it makes you so much more aware of it's existance. Lillian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Lillian, You have said it beautifully. You have touched all the points. Thank you, dear Lillian. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Debra-- I know that it sounds like you are in a very rural community, but you might check and see if there are any 'bridge' services available, by that I mean, there are some agencies that will come and help with care for folks who are taking Tarceva or pursuing treatment. It might be worth doing some sleuthing through the phone book or the internet to find out if there is something like that in your area. I am in a fairly small community right now, but I know that in this area people who are still pursuing treatment, but perhaps not as agressively still qualify for in-home services. Often the docs just talk about the hospices/facilities affiliated with their hospital. Past that, I will say that you CAN do this. I can hear the compassion and love for your father in your post and that will bring you the strength that you need to be his advocate and support no matter what comes his way. Many folks have found success with Tarceva. I hope that your Dad will be one of those people!!! Keep coming here and asking questions! Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Hi Debra--I'm late to welcoming you, but I've been in NC with my mom who was diagnosed with LC two days before your dad! So we've been in this battle for about the same amount of time. This is a great community and we will help you feel connected and answer whatever questions we can. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra Ann Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 "fillise"]Hi Debra--I'm late to welcoming you, but I've been in NC with my mom who was diagnosed with LC two days before your dad! So we've been in this battle for about the same amount of time.This is a great community and we will help you feel connected and answer whatever questions we can. Susan Thank you very much for the welcome. I actually put the wrong date of my Dad being diagnosed. It was January 7, 2008. I still get hung up with the 2007 since that is when everything had actually started. I hope your Mom is doing better. My Dad has had a nice week other than being weak. He just keeps on trying to get up and go though and I am so glad he has the desire to do so. Right now he simply can't eat much. He does have the desire. Gives me his order, I cook it, he takes 2-3 bites. I eat the rest! I'll probably gain 50 pounds being here although I did read a post where someone lost 35, now that I could handle. Have a wonderful Wednesday! Debra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 No matter how long you've been in the fight, I'm glad you found us. As my mom has lost weight, she has been fussing at my dad for gaining. Of course she taked 2-3 bites of her food and gives the rest to my dad to finish. Of course he's gained weight! LOL! Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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