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lung cancer: oxygen and treatments options

dil1948

Hello,

My father-in-law was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. We know what stage or type it is. I think the recent PET scan suggested it hasn't spread, although I'm not sure if anyone has firmly communicated this or whether we can assume this as no other action is taken. He also had a brain scan yesterday to check if it has spread there.

I realise it may be difficult to get answers here, as one of the problems is lack of clarity and communication. He is in a very busy hospital, which means he doesn't get to speak to doctors often and he doesn't get to see the same doctor. Understandably, both he and my mother-in-law are overwhelmed and it is possible they may not be taking it all in or asking all the questions they want to ask. So my first question here is: what can we do to help? We live about one hour away and visit often but is there a way to speak to someone and get more information?

There seems to be some confusion around treatment options. He is very weak at the moment, is losing weight rapidly and seems to need oxygen 24/7, so he has been in hospital for the last couple of weeks (first admitted on 6 Feb, stayed for two weeks, spend a week at home and readmitted again). He was admitted with pneumonia, which has now cleared. He really wants to go home but it's unclear whether he can have oxygen there (he used to smoke up to just before he was admitted to hospital, so this may limit his options?) and what type of oxygen support he can have. Do you know where we can learn more about these options? He seems to think it's very hard to be given oxygen at home and that lots of tests and bureaucracy is involved.

The plan at the hospital seems to be to 'wean' him off the oxygen so that he is fit enough to consider treatment. Radiotherapy has been mentioned but it appears he can't have this before they have sorted out his oxygen or build up his strength. In the meantime, we feel that every minute counts - at least if the purpose of the radiotherapy is to treat rather than just palliative. Do you know if someone can have treatment while still needing oxygen support, or is this is case by case assessment?

Finally, do you know if there are any options we could look at for someone (paid or NHS-covered) who could help him (and reassure my mother-in-law) when he's back home? I was thinking of someone who could visit regularly to encourage him to stay active, eat well and check his oxygen? Any advice on nutrition? He is 8st at the moment, with not much appetite and I was wondering if there is anything (like protein shakes) he could have that is recommended for such cases.

Sorry about the multiple questions and many thanks in advance.

Kind regards

C.

  • Sorry, I meant we DON'T know what stage or type it is.

  • Hello, and thank you for posting.

    I am sorry you are having a difficult time with everything your in-laws are going through at the moment. Hopefully, although we can not give a medical opinion on treatment we can navigate through this a little bit for you.

    Usually, it is not a problem for children of patients to talk through the care and treatment with the doctors or specialist nurses involved. It would be important for your father-in-law to confirm that his confidential information can be shared. Maybe even a meeting is needed so that everyone feels they fully understand where things are at.

    We do have a lot of information on our website about lung cancer and Macmillan has produced booklets that can be printed off or listened to as audiobooks if having this information in this way is helpful. 

    The physical side effects of breathlessness can be managed by oxygen at home. Still, there are other techniques used like breathing exercises and medication which people are also encouraged to use. The hospital teams are very used to dealing with oxygen so will know how to order this if deemed appropriate in your father-in-law's situation.

    Living with lung cancer and its effects can be hard for all. Often support is needed in the home. The hospital nursing teams usually assess the patients alongside the occupational therapists and physiotherapists. If needed they link in with the GP and district nurses and sometimes social services and palliative care to get things sorted in a package of care for the home. This support all depends on levels of nursing and care needs and is occasionally means tested. But a discharge plan and setup is usually discussed with next of kin so again this might be something you or your partner should discuss with the ward team. It isn't unusual for a discharge planning meeting to be held about a patient if things are a little complex.

    Patients do need to be as strong as possible for treatments to be able to cope with any potential side effects. So it may be that they want him stronger to receive radiotherapy, but again a conversation with his team would help make this all clearer for you. Putting on weight when you have a cancer diagnosis can be hard but the support is there, do talk to the team about a dietician referral if this hasn't already happened.

    Take care and I hope I have answered some of your questions. Do give our helpline a call if you want to talk further.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Sarah

  • in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Dear Sarah

    Thank you so much for your reply. This is very informative and in many ways, reassuring, too.

  • Offline in reply to dil1948

    It's so hard and Im sending my thoughts. I am in the same boat 2 days ago my 78 year old mum...was clinically diagnosed with lung cancer from x-ray, CT scans and ultrasound. As mum was on her own when told all of this, she has stated she doesn't want chemo, therefore they will not do a biopsy. So we don't know what type stage the cancer is. This is all so hard to deal with. Every time I go to the hospital doctors are not available during visiting time. It's so hard. She is also having problems with her oxygen levels and just wants to leave the hospital....don't know what to do

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