Mother stage 4 lung and liver cancer

[lauriejean123]

hello, My mother was diagnosed last month with stage 4 lung cancer that has spread to the liver. We will find out on the 18th what the plan is since we have had to get a biopsy, mri, blood test, and brain scan done these last couple of weeks. My mom is 74 and she looks great just fatigue but she does take pain meds which cause her to get sleepy other than that she feels great and looks great. Her lung tumor is 2 centimeters and her liver tumor is about 4 centimeters. The dr said it was treatable but not curable. I am encouraged but I would like to know what to expect from chemo or any other things that may come in the next several months. any help is greatly appreciated.

[MH1954]

Hi Laurie

Sorry to hear of your Mums diagnosis

At this early stage it will seem like you are on a rollercoaster ride which you can't get of, but it will slow down once you have all the test results back

Your Mum will then be able to discuss with the team who is treating her and get a planned treatment in place

There are many treatments now available for lung cancer and though it can't be cured the treatments will help stabilise and help shrink the tumours and improve your Mums quality of life

There are many different types of chemo now and though most of us will experience some side effects they are manageable with meds to control them it is important to to let the nurses know if side effects get worse so they can get on top of them with the right medication. with chemo It is always the fear of the unknown once it starts your Mum will know that it will be doing its job

Radiotherapy could be used to which can help and there are the newer treatments, which are Targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs, the biopsy results will tell the doctor if your Mum is suitable for these newer ones as you have to show certain markers in the biopsy results for these to work

My other advice is when you and your Mum go to the appointment next week take a pen a paper and ask all the questions you need to and write everything down

You should also be assigned a specialist lung nurse who will be your point of contact for any further questions or concerns your Mum had

Let us know how she gets on

Best wishes

Margaret

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Lauriejean123,

I am very sorry to hear about your mums diagnosis.The photograph you posted is lovely and it looks as if you are very close to each other. If you contact the Roycastle Nurse Led Helpline Freephone 0800 358 7200 with your contact details I can send you out some information about living with lung cancer and a booklet on answering your questions.

The Roy Castle Health Unlocked community is a very good resource and I am sure you will get plenty of support from those who find themselves in a similar situation to yourself. Margaret has given you some useful information and we will do our best at the Helpline to answer any concerns you may have.

Please don't hesitate to call us with any specific questions you may have.

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline.

[CaroleH1949]

Sorry to hear about your Mum x Good luck for today x thinking of you x

[lauriejean123]

Well, we went to the Dr yesterday and found out some very encouraging news. the tumor on her liver is metastatic carcinoid cancer and not the liver cancer they thought it was. Due to her being a smoker and drinker for years they were sure she had stage 4 liver and lung cancer. I feel we have been blessed with this news. I believe this type of cancer is much more manageable. Now the Dr has requested we do all the same tests on the lung just to be sure it is same cancer than the liver. we are not 100% out of the woods yet but feeling grateful for the power of prayer and gods angels for looking over my mother.