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Dad has lung cancer
Jcam16 posted:
They just found a large mass on my Dad's left lung. They have informed us it is not operable b/c of its location. It is very complicated bc involves arteries and it is crushing the bronchial tube. It is malignant and the Dr has categorized it as a Stage 3b non-small cell. We have not yet obtained the results of the bronchoscopy, but the Dr seems certain of his findings. My Dad was a heavy smoker. He is now having sweats, fever, bad coughing. Just a number of symptoms.. Can anyone relate? Any advise? I am in the process of trying to get him to a second opinion outside of the VA, which is were he has been treated up until now. I have researched MD Anderson and NY, any suggestions?
20 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerThey just found a large mass on my Dad's left lung. They have informed us it is not operable b/c of its location. It is very complicated bc involves arteries and it is crushing the bronchial tube. It is malignant and the Dr has categorized it as a Stage 3b non-small cell. We have not yet obtained the results of the bronchoscopy, but the Dr seems certain of his findings. My Dad was a heavy smoker. He is now having sweats, fever, bad coughing. Just a number of symptoms.. Can anyone relate? Any advise? I am in the process of trying to get him to a second opinion outside of the VA, which is were he has been treated up until now. I have researched MD Anderson and NY, any suggestions?
forestlady responded:
Definantely get away from VA. I also have stage lll non small cell. If it is not operable, ask regarding chemo and radiation. There are numerous good cancer centers/hospitals. What state are you in?
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerDefinantely get away from VA. I also have stage lll non small cell. If it is not operable, ask regarding chemo and radiation. There are numerous good cancer centers/hospitals. What state are you in?
Jcam16 replied to forestlady's response:
Thank you for your reply. We are in Florida. I'm sorry to hear you also have this. Have you been dealing with it long?
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerThank you for your reply. We are in Florida. I'm sorry to hear you also have this. Have you been dealing with it long?
An_206506 responded:
Wishing you the best outcome! My husband diagnosed 2004 w/nsclc. He is 50 yrs old now and his oncologist @ MD Anderson is always surprised to see him because that was where he got his time of life. The right lung affected and Oct 2009 mets to the brain. He has had (3) different types of chemo. Carboplatin/Gemzar first line which shrunk the mass alot then taxotere and alimta which didn't do anything. Chemo was done in Louisiana and then MD Anderson did 31 radiation treatments March 2008 then Oct 2009 Brain mets and had 18 whole brain radiation and he did very well. So please be strong! Hope your dad will do wonderful! By the way my husband does have quality. He does pretty much anything, just more fatigued these days.
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerWishing you the best outcome! My husband diagnosed 2004 w/nsclc. He is 50 yrs old now and his oncologist @ MD Anderson is always surprised to see him because that was where he got his time of life. The right lung affected and Oct 2009 mets to the brain. He has had (3) different types of chemo. Carboplatin/Gemzar first line which shrunk the mass alot then taxotere and alimta which didn't do anything. Chemo was done in Louisiana and then MD Anderson did 31 radiation treatments March 2008 then Oct 2009 Brain mets and had 18 whole brain radiation and he did very well. So please be strong! Hope your dad will do wonderful! By the way my husband does have quality. He does pretty much anything, just more fatigued these days.
msreelastate responded:
My mom has sclc and she was diagnosed in this small town on Eutaw Alabama/Tuscaloosa. The doctor told her she was in stage 4 and would not live past August 2009. We bought her town Atlanta where my brother and I live, she finished her first round of chemo in December and it had shrank her mass in half. It is now April and she just started back because she started wheezing and coughing and the fluid had built back on her lungs. We are hoping this round of chemo can help. They removed 1000 cc's of fluid from her lungs but it doesn't seem to help as much as we thought it would. She is hanging in there though, and continuing to live which is important.
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerMy mom has sclc and she was diagnosed in this small town on Eutaw Alabama/Tuscaloosa. The doctor told her she was in stage 4 and would not live past August 2009. We bought her town Atlanta where my brother and I live, she finished her first round of chemo in December and it had shrank her mass in half. It is now April and she just started back because she started wheezing and coughing and the fluid had built back on her lungs. We are hoping this round of chemo can help. They removed 1000 cc's of fluid from her lungs but it doesn't seem to help as much as we thought it would. She is hanging in there though, and continuing to live which is important.
mysmom replied to msreelastate's response:
It is a mass of information about this disease and experts everywhere.My mother is being treated at Hollings Cancer Clinic in South Carolina,She has stage 4 non-operable.May God be with you and your family. PS.....Regardless the facility you take your father too,be a strong ADVOCATE.....ASK ALOT OF QUESTIONS....GET THE ANSWERS
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerIt is a mass of information about this disease and experts everywhere.My mother is being treated at Hollings Cancer Clinic in South Carolina,She has stage 4 non-operable.May God be with you and your family. PS.....Regardless the facility you take your father too,be a strong ADVOCATE.....ASK ALOT OF QUESTIONS....GET THE ANSWERS
chiane20 responded:
I can so relate to you... My dad had lung cancer as well, left lung too. But when my dad was diagnosed, it was already in stage 4. what we did was just radiation for him as he declined the chemotherapy. he said he will not be able to handle it anymore.
he was a heavy smoker too.
he was a heavy smoker too.
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerI can so relate to you... My dad had lung cancer as well, left lung too. But when my dad was diagnosed, it was already in stage 4. what we did was just radiation for him as he declined the chemotherapy. he said he will not be able to handle it anymore. <br /><br />he was a heavy smoker too.
mollyboo3 responded:
I was diagnosed with NSCLC 5 years ago....they said I would probably have a year to live as it appeared it was begining to matastisize outside the lung.....I did have surgery to remove the lobe that was "growing"....however, there are metastatic tumors in the other 4. I started TARCEVA right after the surgery and the tumors stopped growing...they're still there, but haven't changed in 5 years. I quite smoking 20 yrs ago but started smoking as a kid. I also lived on a farm where they did crop dusting so I don't blame it all on the ciggs. I have been doing great since on the Tarceva. I wish your dad all the luck.
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerI was diagnosed with NSCLC 5 years ago....they said I would probably have a year to live as it appeared it was begining to matastisize outside the lung.....I did have surgery to remove the lobe that was "growing"....however, there are metastatic tumors in the other 4. I started TARCEVA right after the surgery and the tumors stopped growing...they're still there, but haven't changed in 5 years. I quite smoking 20 yrs ago but started smoking as a kid. I also lived on a farm where they did crop dusting so I don't blame it all on the ciggs. I have been doing great since on the Tarceva. I wish your dad all the luck.
cherylj123 replied to mollyboo3's response:
5 years - Wonderful!!!!! I just need to know if Tarceva is your first chemotherapy? I named my husbands previous chemotherapy earlier in this response but since that time he started Tarceva going on his second month and doing very well. He started the Tarceva since the mass in his right lung was waking up again since the radiation at MD in 2008. We're just hoping the Tarceva will do at least as good as his first line treatment. Thank you so much for your story! The gift of life!!
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancer5 years - Wonderful!!!!! I just need to know if Tarceva is your first chemotherapy? I named my husbands previous chemotherapy earlier in this response but since that time he started Tarceva going on his second month and doing very well. He started the Tarceva since the mass in his right lung was waking up again since the radiation at MD in 2008. We're just hoping the Tarceva will do at least as good as his first line treatment. Thank you so much for your story! The gift of life!!
rwaynec50 responded:
That is almost discribing my dad, they told him almost exactly what they are telling you an he lives in VA as well. I live in NC and a friend told me about Dr Franklin Chen from Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem an he was awesome and gave us alot of good advice and my dad started his chemo an radation an he is doing well and accually gained a few pounds, it is a battle that i never imagined that my family would ever go through, however this is the cards we were delt an we gonna play them. I will pray for you and you family an may god show you the way to fight this monster. Good Luck an let me know if there is anything i can do, it may not be much because i am new to cancer but i will help in any way that i can. God Bless
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerThat is almost discribing my dad, they told him almost exactly what they are telling you an he lives in VA as well. I live in NC and a friend told me about Dr Franklin Chen from Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem an he was awesome and gave us alot of good advice and my dad started his chemo an radation an he is doing well and accually gained a few pounds, it is a battle that i never imagined that my family would ever go through, however this is the cards we were delt an we gonna play them. I will pray for you and you family an may god show you the way to fight this monster. Good Luck an let me know if there is anything i can do, it may not be much because i am new to cancer but i will help in any way that i can. God Bless
BShephed responded:
My husband has been treated for lung cancer at the cancer treatment center of america in zion illinois for the last 2 years. They can't cure him because it has gone too far but they have kept him pretty healthy through some ugly treatment. I love, respect and trust his medical oncologist up there. They are truely doing some miracles in that place. At least pay them a visit if possible, you'll see what I mean.
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerMy husband has been treated for lung cancer at the cancer treatment center of america in zion illinois for the last 2 years. They can't cure him because it has gone too far but they have kept him pretty healthy through some ugly treatment. I love, respect and trust his medical oncologist up there. They are truely doing some miracles in that place. At least pay them a visit if possible, you'll see what I mean.
My mother has just been diagnosed with Stage IIIb nsc lung cancer. She is 84 and the doctor has recommended to do nothing as she has other health issues. He said it would not be painful. Is lung cancer painful?
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerMy mother has just been diagnosed with Stage IIIb nsc lung cancer. She is 84 and the doctor has recommended to do nothing as she has other health issues. He said it would not be painful. Is lung cancer painful?
tracychip responded:
Your dad is so lucky to have you. It takes a lot of caring and support to help someone living with lung cancer. There is so much health information online, you may be wondering if you're getting best information for him. I'm doing some research on how to best connect people online with the health information that they need. If you have a few minutes, I would really appreciate your feedback. I work for a company that is passionate about getting safe and effective treatment options available to patients.
Stay strong.
http://bit.ly/ihNEdw
Stay strong.
http://bit.ly/ihNEdw
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerYour dad is so lucky to have you. It takes a lot of caring and support to help someone living with lung cancer. There is so much health information online, you may be wondering if you're getting best information for him. I'm doing some research on how to best connect people online with the health information that they need. If you have a few minutes, I would really appreciate your feedback. I work for a company that is passionate about getting safe and effective treatment options available to patients. <br /><br /><br />Stay strong.<br /><br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/ihNEdw">http://bit.ly/ihNEdw</a>
My dad has just been diagnosed with lung cancer couple of weeks ago...I head-hunted any & every explanation/option for cure for it, & came across a site called curezone.com which was a huge eye-opener for me, & gave me much hope in treating the shocking arrival of this disease to our family. My dad gave up smoking 30 yrs ago, is very particular about health, diet & fitness& is 69. He is currently on his 2nd chemo, but I truly believe in holistic treatment 7 therefore researched alternate cures as well...I would advise you to go to this site, and administer the Budwig diet, & range of freshly juiced veggies... & some herbs that would at least better the quality of their fighting this disease. regards Fay
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerMy dad has just been diagnosed with lung cancer couple of weeks ago...I head-hunted any & every explanation/option for cure for it, & came across a site called curezone.com which was a huge eye-opener for me, & gave me much hope in treating the shocking arrival of this disease to our family. My dad gave up smoking 30 yrs ago, is very particular about health, diet & fitness& is 69. He is currently on his 2nd chemo, but I truly believe in holistic treatment 7 therefore researched alternate cures as well...I would advise you to go to this site, and administer the Budwig diet, & range of freshly juiced veggies... & some herbs that would at least better the quality of their fighting this disease. regards Fay
ccarroll38 responded:
My heart goes out to you. I too have just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Had a car accident on Dec 24 and a cat scan llshowed something. They thought it was a bleed from the accident turns out to be stage 3a lung cancer. I have three doctors and none seem to be on the same page. I know they cant tell you how long you have but that is all I am thinking about. I had heard that MD Anderson was wonderful and also Sloan Kettering in New York. I wish I got a second opinion but now scheduled to begin chemo and radiation hopefully next Mter thatonthday I had to do anything that will postpone it. I am going to get a second opinion regarding removal of my right lung after the therapies. My thoracic surgeon who I trust completely feels I would be able to tolerate although it would be very difficult. My radiation oncologist feels I would be crazy and never survive the surgery. I thought they were I a team. I also contacted Dana Farber regarding another opinion and will go there. Also cancer center of america will actually fly you there but then you are in some other part of the country by yourself having treatment. They will fly out with you for the initial visit but after that just you. This is so devasting news I can't even function and I am sure he is scared to death as am I you just want someone to say there is some hope. My prayers are with you
Report This| Share this:Dad has lung cancerMy heart goes out to you. I too have just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Had a car accident on Dec 24 and a cat scan llshowed something. They thought it was a bleed from the accident turns out to be stage 3a lung cancer. I have three doctors and none seem to be on the same page. I know they cant tell you how long you have but that is all I am thinking about. I had heard that MD Anderson was wonderful and also Sloan Kettering in New York. I wish I got a second opinion but now scheduled to begin chemo and radiation hopefully next Mter thatonthday I had to do anything that will postpone it. I am going to get a second opinion regarding removal of my right lung after the therapies. My thoracic surgeon who I trust completely feels I would be able to tolerate although it would be very difficult. My radiation oncologist feels I would be crazy and never survive the surgery. I thought they were I a team. I also contacted Dana Farber regarding another opinion and will go there. Also cancer center of america will actually fly you there but then you are in some other part of the country by yourself having treatment. They will fly out with you for the initial visit but after that just you. This is so devasting news I can't even function and I am sure he is scared to death as am I you just want someone to say there is some hope. My prayers are with you
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