xena warrior Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Hi I have just joined this forum in need of some support and friendly help and advice. My Dad is suffering from Pneumonia and we have just been told he has got Lung Cancer which has spread to lymph nodes and ribs. He is having a Bronchoscopy next week when he has been weaned sufficiently off the ventilator. But he is not fit enough for Chemo etc.. Any help appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Xena, Welcome! You will find an enormous amount of support and information here. I am so sorry that your dad has been diagnosed with this dreaded disease. When he has the bronchoscopy, they will be able to tell you what type of lung cancer he has. Once you know all the details, you will be able to better determine the course of action. Never give up hope. And remember that 2nd opinions are always a good thing. TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Xena- Welcome, sorry about your Dad. You will find a lot of support and knowledge here. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Welcome! I am not sure what you want specifically. My wife is a NSCLC, Stage IV survivor of two years and has weathered the cancer as well as systemic staph infection and bilateral pneumonia. There is always hope. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Hi and welcome. Please keep us posted on how your Dad is doing. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3boys4amy Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Hi Xena and welcome. Everyone is right. You will find lots of supprt here. I have found so much information and support that I can't even begin to express my gratitude. I am so sorry about your dad. I will keep him in my prayers. Please update when you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annjael Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Hi Xena,,,,Welcome. So sorry to hear about your dad. I would say take one step at a time, learn all you can about his type of lc once they have done the broncoscopy, and then begin to fight. Also, dont be afraid to question the docs, or get a second opinion, if you are not clear or satisfied, about any phase of your dads diagnosis or treatment plan. You have come to a very caring group of people that will try to help any way they are able. This board is wonderful!!! Please keep us posted on your dad Peace and blessings, Annjael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xena warrior Posted September 24, 2004 Author Share Posted September 24, 2004 Thanks everyone for your lovely welcome and support i will keep you all posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laberl Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 So sorry you have to be here, but this is a good place to be-everyone here is wonderful. I know the first days/weeks/months after diagnosis can be overwhelming, and there are a lot of great people here who can help you through all of the emotions. Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Xena, this is a wonderful place to "let it out " if you need to. Hang in there! Praying for you both. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Xena, this is a wonderful place to "let it out " if you need to. Hang in there! Praying for you both. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xena warrior Posted October 11, 2004 Author Share Posted October 11, 2004 Hi all and thanks for all your friendly replies. Well this really is a rollercoaster ride... Dad had the bronchoscopy just over a week ago and basically they couldn't biopsy the tumor this way do to the tracheostomy tube and the position of the tumour, afterwards Dad was very poorly developed another chest infection and diorrhea. That was a week ago then last week the consultant took my Dads xrays and scans to a meeting where other cancer specialists looked at them and confirmed what my Dads consultant had already said that there is lymph node involvement with bone (rib) mets the primary in the lung is apparenylt about 2cm big! He had a bone biopsy last week of the rib area and we should be getting the resuts of that today tomorow hopefully. Anyway Saturday just gone my Dad was up in a chair and on external ventilation. But Saturday night had some heart probs so he went back on internal ventilation, this was due to over exhertion the doctors have said. This really is a difficult time. Saw Dad yesterday and he was relaxed but very tired. Will no more soon hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xena warrior Posted October 11, 2004 Author Share Posted October 11, 2004 One thing i wanted to add was that my stepmum thought it would be best if we waited to tell Dad about the diagnosis until he can speak, cause at the minute he has a trachie tube in that doesn't allow him to speak, they are replacing it with one he can talk with when they are confident that he will cope without the ventilator, treatment chemo etc is not advisable until he is stronger. I am upset as i really want to tell Dad whats happenin, i know that if we told him now he would be stressed cause he cannot talk or write, and i know he would ant to ask loads of questions, but its ripping me apart keeping it from him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 it sounds logical to me to wait until he can fully participate in his decision making process to tell him, as long as no real decisions are being made in the meantime. Maybe you and your stepmum should discuss that with his primary doctor? Does he have non small cell? that's what it sounds like. please keep us posted. it's quite a roller coaster ride, ESPECIALLY at the beginning. Karen C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 hi, i'm so sorry to hear about your dad. i know that this is so hard for you and your family. if you and your stepmom feel confident in your decision not to tell your father everything yet, then i think it is a good one. i really pray that he is feeling better soon. God bless, mj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelliemacs Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 ok, why isn't your dad fit for chemo?? if the onc. told you and him that, fire him and find another onc. One who has your dads survival in mind. This disease is ugly and mean, your job now is to be uglier and meaner than the cancer can believe. I lost my mom in August 2003 and my dad in June 2004 to LC and now my sister is battling Breast cancer. how do I cope, well lots of Xanax, but being smart about the cancer, treatment and the options will put you on the same level as those onc. so get there and show them you mean business in your dads treatments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xena warrior Posted October 15, 2004 Author Share Posted October 15, 2004 Hi thanks for the replies, basically the oncologist is going to look at the test results and see if there is any treatment, but because my Dad is very weak from the pnumonia they are not sure that he is strong enough for the chemo etc. We have now been told that they don't think he will be able to come off the ventilator is lungs are too weak and he is unable to clear is chest. This is a very sad time for me and it has all happened within 2 months. How do you cope? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest itascaval Posted October 16, 2004 Share Posted October 16, 2004 Hi Xena, Hang tough, even though it is not always easy. I have been trying to take things slowly.....day by day, and cherishing the small victories. Step dad was diagnosed with SCLC about a month ago and just started chemo and radiation last week. He was in the hospital all week with pneumonia but was able to go home yesterday. So, yesterday was a good day!! I try to not focus on the big picture....and just take things in small doses. Hope you can hang in there. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers! Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xena warrior Posted October 18, 2004 Author Share Posted October 18, 2004 Hi all, well the latest is that the oncologist has said my Dad is too weak for treatment he is on the ventilator at night and external CPAP in day, still with trachie tube in. He seems very confused at moment, one minute you can have a normal conversation and then he will talk confused like delerium, and make no sense. He is still has diarrhea but was not as bad today. This week they are deciding whether if he has another relapse with his breathing if they put him back on the ventilator or not... The docs have said he will probably only be with us a few weeks...I am so upset, cannot work, very tired and don't know where to turn or who to talk to. I am going to see my GP in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 Xena,I'm so sorry to hear this.Don't now what to say to comfort you except that my wife and I will pray especially hard for you,your dad and family.Lots of folks here have been told a few weeks or a few months and we are still here.Keep the faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xena warrior Posted October 18, 2004 Author Share Posted October 18, 2004 Thankyou for your kind words Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 (((((((((((((((((((XENA))))))))))))))))))))) I wish I had words that could make you feel better, but I don't. One day at a time my dear. Dad just may shock the world and pull through. (it can happen)! I'm sending positive vibes and praying for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest itascaval Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Xena- So sorry to hear the latest. Nothing I can say will help, just know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I will keep thinking positive thoughts and just remember that you are not alone in this! Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 Hi Xena, I didn't see your last post here until now. I'm so sorry things aren't going well for your dad. I also hope your GP was able to help you with your own exhaustion and anxiety. Take care of yourself please, and let us know how you're doing. Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest itascaval Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 Hi Xena, Hope your GP was able to help you a bit. I know how you are feeling---i feel the same way, tired all the time. You aren't alone in this!! Try to hang in there! You are in my thoughts!!! val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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