Husband with Stage 4 lung cancer

[Horselover13]

My husband feels very weak. Does anyone have any suggestions to help him feel stronger or is this how it is going to be? He was diagnosed a little over a year ago. Has had Chemo and is now on Opdivo.

[Surviventhrive]

Hi Horselover13, I have found that working out has increased my energy and strength a great deal. It sounds counter-intuitive, I know, but that's what has worked for me. I go to the community gym 2 or 3 times a week and work out. If he doesn't want to work out, he should try to at least walk, do something to get some exercise. (I'm stage IV lung cancer and have been on Opdivo for nearly 5 years.)

Wishing you both the best!

[Horselover13 in reply to Surviventhrive]

He does try and walk a little, but sometimes his knees almost buckle. The other issue is he is 81 years old, so his age is against him too.

[Surviventhrive in reply to Horselover13]

You're right. His age may be against him. I'm glad he's trying to get some exercise. It surely is not always easy.

I will be praying for him and you.

[Horselover13 in reply to Surviventhrive]

Thank you.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

To start building strength and endurance I would recommend he request a new pulmonary Function Test to establish a new baseline and to qualify for pulmonary rehab. They will work with him on purses lip breathing which will help him get the most out of each breath. When you can’t breathe right you fatigue more easily.

Check into exercise programs at your local senior center. Most have gentle classes as well as advanced.

The Cancer Support Community and their partner Gilda’s Club offer exercise classes and those who teach are well trained in the needs of cancer patients and adapting exercises to suit them. To learn if there’s a Community near you use this link. cancersupportcommunity.org/...

Another excellent resource to help him become the best he can be is the Livestrong Program at the YMCA. This was also designed with cancer patients in mind. livestrong.org/ymca-search#...

Another great resource is Donna Wilson’s video set on YouTube. She has a series of videos of exercises you can do without any equipment. I found that I was mirroring exercises I had done at Livestrong but without the equipment. youtube.com/watch?v=eBZPxp3...(Not working as expected?)

Also ask the oncology social worker at your treatment center about anything available in your community.

[Horselover13 in reply to Denzie]

His Oncologist was going to check into some kind of re-hab.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Horselover13]

Good. The things I wrote will be for after he gets released from rehab.

[Horselover13 in reply to Denzie]

Yes, he is short of breath, but it still shows his oxygen levels are good. I have a hard time understanding that.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Horselover13]

Part of that is that the heart is working harder to supply oxygenated blood to his body. He is not ‘working hard’ so his oxygen demands are reduced. If he was to get up and walk about the house his O2 levels would drop quickly.

[Horselover13 in reply to Denzie]

We go to the Pulmonologist on Tuesday, we will see what she says. Thank you for explaining that to me.

[anrean]

Hi You have gotten some good advice! I would like to add that my oncologist prescribed oxygen to help with the exhaustion. I am on a concentrator at home, and have portable tanks for leaving the house. This has made a big difference in how I feel - I can do more before just plain pooping out. Please have your husband's oxygen levels tested (it is a simple gizmo they put on his finger) and if his level is low, ask for oxygen to bring it up. Then he will have a bit more energy to do some of the things Denzie has suggested. It is important that we do as much as possible to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. Start slow and set very realistic goals. Hope this helps!

Lauri-Anne

[Ruthie1437]

Try taking B12 vitamins that helped me with energy

[Horselover13 in reply to Ruthie1437]

He does take vitamins. The Vitamin B is a complex not a straight B12, I don't know if that would make a difference.

[chriscj]

I also have Stage IV lung cancer and been on Opdivo and Yervoy, now I'm only on a double dose of Opdivo. I get treatment every 2 weeks. I get fatigued for 3 days after treatment. By then it lessens up. But I do take vitamin C and D3 daily. I also drink Boost, one or two a day that has plenty of vitamins and daily needed nutrients. Doesn't have to be Boost, can be Ensure or other brands. I've been on Opdivo now for about 6-8 months now, and was told I'll be on it forever. Hope this little bit helps and many prayers for his recovery.

[Horselover13 in reply to chriscj]

He does have Ensure Enlive, although, he doesn't drink it every day plus vitamins, Chia Seeds and Tumeric.

[sckruegeer]

Hello, I had my (hopefully) last chemo Fri. the 13th, my last (of 30) radiation treatments Wed th 18th of April. So I am now dealing with the damage and hangover effects. What I did yesterday and today was try a small piece of (I hope I'm not "oy of school on this),a marijuana laced caramel and was amazed at the relief of symptoms (almost all, to sime degree), that happened. Just a personal observation, so do with this what you will. Good Luck, you are among friends.

Sckruegeer

[sckruegeer in reply to sckruegeer]

Sorry for the typos My spell check may be faulty.

[Horselover13 in reply to sckruegeer]

Thank you. Good luck to you!

[gibdonnalee Community Superhero in reply to sckruegeer]

Hello, I'm glad the cannibus helped you. PA , where I live, has just made medical marijuana legal for certain health issues. I qualify with the cancer. Have you tried CBD oil? I have used it for fatigue and other symptoms. It did help. I hope that it is the last chemo for you!

[sckruegeer in reply to gibdonnalee]

Yes I've tried CBD oil and did not notice any dramatic relief of symptoms, glad it helped you. Many people have had good results with CBD , and it may have done me some good, however I don't know what I don't know. I am in uncharted waters, so not being absolutely sure of some possible good effects from one substance or another is a possibility.

Also I had a CT scan since last post, and it was clean, no lumps or bumps!

Thank you for your positive hope for me. I certainly hope you are doing well.