My dad went into the hospital yesterday for a whole bunch of reasons, very short of breath, dehydrated, very weak, no appetite, unbalanced, ect. They admitted him and did a ct scan. It showed massive inflammation in his lungs ( from radiation) which they said steriods would help. However, the scan picture also picked up a spot of his liver which showed major characteristics of cancer. The dr is pretty certain it has spread, and they are doing a full abdomen scan tonight to see where things are at. I am devasted right now. My emotions are nothing short of feeling hopeless. The Dr. said that they have to get his inflammation in his chest down before they begin any sort of treatment. When will this nightmare end? How will they even treat his liver or any other parts of his body if it's spreading? I'm trying all I can to stay strong but i feel im coming to the end of my rope. Any advice is welcome.
Now the liver..?: My dad went into the... - Lung Cancer Support
Now the liver..?
Am no expert but can remove bits of liver EVEN think your liver regenerates BUT I would agree with doc's lung Inflamation needs sorting.
Sounds like he's in good hands AND can only sympathise with trouble time going threw.
Thank you for your reply. This is so tough.
Sending prayer's that they can get everything under control!! 🙏🏻
Lesleykay21,
Take a deep breath and slow down. Your Father needs you now more than ever and if you can not cope with what you see him dealing with, imagine what he is going through. It's time to saddle up and remain strong for your father.
Your Father's doc's will deal with the lung inflammation first, because well, he needs to breath before anything else. I went through almost the same thing while in a clinical trial with immunotherapy. I could barely breath, and when they found pneumonitis, they hit it with steroids, and within 24 hours I was able to breath as normal.
We then just took each day as it has come. My cancer has spread, but I am still here. I am fighting my third cancer, and I have been told I am terminal, but I am still living my life one day at a time.
My advice is very simple. Be there for your Father. Have faith in his doctor's, take each day as it comes, and above all else, have faith and just breath.
Mike "Serrecko" March
Leader of The Skyline Gaggle of Noobs
Thank you Serrecko. I've been trying so hard to stay strong especially in front of him. I can only imagine how he is feeling and I think that's where some of my sadness stems from. I wish I could just make this all go away for him, but I can't. I know that I need to calm down and take it one day at a time. I am trying to remind myself that every hurdle is an opportunity to make improvements. I will try to be mindful of this. Thank you for reminding me that there are people like yourself that are living with this and that it is possible. Thanks for your response. 🙏
I think ya doing good job is hard but have to live for the NOW and not the what if's or it will just drag you both down.
There are some many medical advancements to treat/remission cancer. Get you some rest and be the BEST DAMN HEALTH ADVOCATE you can be. Make sure your dad gives you authority to speak and make decisions to all doctors
Keep the faith! I know you're feeling like your Dad is losing this battle, but you can never give up. I've had radiation pneumonitis and I know your Dad is very sick. I was treated with steroids but it still took a long time to heal. Your Dad's liver problems may not be as big a problem as you're thinking. I have a strong faith in God and know that He is able to perform miracles even today. Don't give up on God because He can make a way when there is no way.
Lesleykay please do not despair. Your father needs your strenth right now. This cancer trip is a very bumpy ride so we all need to hold on as tight as we can and take it as it comes.
Let the docs do their thing, ask lots of questions...make them prove themselves. Remember they work for you and your dad. Ask about different treatment options. I recently had my cancer spread to my brain. Treated with radiation with great results. Now I am on an immunotherapy drug Keytruda. I will find out on Friday if it is working. Remember to breathe and treat the cancer as part of life, not part of death.
Thank you brigidk. That is a good outlook. Do you have small cell or non small cell? I'm glad you are overcoming hurdles- inspirational!
Hang in there. The inflammation is called pnemonitits and is side effect of radiation and chemo. The same thing happened to me . You dad will feel better after steroids take affect.
I am going through a time of lung cancer now for 6 months. I have a 32 year old daughter who is an only child. I am married too. My biggest concern is my wife and daughter. I can see my daughter trying to be strong and positive. That helps me be positive too. You, I think, are stronger then you think and you will see that as all this gets sorted out. The more you think about the tests etc the easier it will be to remain calmer as you and dad navigate the next step. God Bless You and you father.
Thank you Kenny for your kind response. I guess I never understood when people say that cancer effects the whole family. It truly does. I'm going to remain strong for my dad because I know he needs it. I pray we will get through this. It also sounds like you are extremely strong yourself. I admire your strength! Do you mind if I ask if you have small cell or non small cell lung cancer?
I don't mind at all.......non small cell. I am waiting for a CT scan due Friday to see if what I am on, Opdivo, is working. Do you know what type your dad has? Trust me.....once you can wrap your mind around all this it will get clearer and you'll loose that panic feeling you may get everytime your mind wanders to the challenges you two are facing.
There are so many treatments now that you should have hope....lots of it. The original chemo regiment stopped working so I was put on Opdivo. I met with a doctor in a larger city by me and he said that IF Opdivo doesn't work then there are other options. Don't give up hope!
Sweet Lesleykay21,
Of course you are tired and scared. You are carrying your Father through some very difficult and uncertain events. You are doing beautifully. To be human does not equate to weak, you sound amazingly strong to me, and you are loving your Father even as your heart feels like it is breaking.
Love yourself - you are worthy of great love. Hug yourself. Take a really deep, slow breath and know that you will get through this, because you love him so very much. As we all know, loving someone hurts deeply at times, but we wouldn't want to not love. For all the pain it brings, it also brings immeasurable joy, and creates an entity we call the Soul.
Now, rest and carry on. You can and you are and you will.
Loving hugs,
Peggy