Bladder Cancer and Lung Cancer

Hi my Dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer last October.  He is 77.  He had an operation to remove it and was then packed with chemo.  Whilst doing the scan they found lung cancer.  The cancer was too close to his heart and he has been told it is inoperable and incurable.  This was NYE.  He has had an intensive course of radio and chemo and it shrank very slightly.  Now my Dad is a private man and probably my parents don't ask the right questions ie grades outcome.  He has gone in for a bladder check and the bladder cancer has come back. My dad has hereditary diabetes so his moods are all over the place and he is angry and depressed.  And at the moment no good news is coming.  He has lost weight and not eating and the treatment has really knocked him.  I have three useless brothers and so it's all down to me to try and remain positive.  What i would like to know is life expectancy as I would like to be a bit more prepared.  I thought in a rainbow world this was being won! My dad will not let me go to any appointments and I can't ask too many questions and I have to respect that.  Thanks for reading this.

  • Hello angelldelight, 

    I am so sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis - it must have been a real shock when lung cancer was found and that it was found to be inoperable and incurable. Sad news too that the bladder cancer has come back your poor dad is having to deal with so much on top of his hereditary diabetes. It must be really tough for you to have to carry all this weight on your shoulders. As for your question on life expectancy, this is a very difficult one to answer especially as it will depend on so many factors and your dad's complex health history. Unfortunately I don't think anyone here will be qualified to tell you what his life expectancy might be and many will tell you that it is actually often hard to predict. It's a shame your dad is not letting you go to any appoitments and of course you have to respect his wishes. 

    I hope you will hear from others here who have faced a similar situation before and that they will be along to share their thoughts with you on this. 

    Our cancer nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm so feel free to give them a call if you feel the need to talk things through with them. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator