Lung cancer

Hi My Mum has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer cancer is in both lungs and her liver she is undergoing targeted treatment to prolong her life. She has symptoms of possible brain and bone metastases and has been given a CT scan we are awaiting results now. I feel totally unprepared and finding it hard to accept that she won't recover from the cancer. Doctors won't give us a prognosis of her life expectancy can anyone here tell us why not?

 

 

 

  • Hi,

     

    Like yourself my mum was also diagnosed with lung cancer about a month ago unfortunately at the time of diagnosis the cancer had already spread to her liver and brain. Its so very hard to get your head around and we are having the same problem with prognosis. We had a meeting with her doctor and asked the dreaded question... the doctors answer was anything from weeks to a few months without treatment and if she builds up strengh and takes the full wack of chemotherapy then 'quite a few more months could be added' those were her exact words. 

     

    I took this as they didnt really know how the treatment was working for her yet and that everyone must just cope differently. I am just trying to take things one day at a time now. It really makes you look at everything around you so differently.

     

    I thought i would add a reply just to let you know there's someone with the same situation and i hope you get the answers you are looking for soon. X

  • My mum was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of Feb. She went into hospital and needed fluid taking off her lung.She then went into a hospice because her flat isn't suitable for her to go back to. Now my mum appeared well within herself, then a doctor prescribed diazepam..I only knew this because my mum told me.I noticed that her speech became a bit slow after a day or 2 and then she told me the doctor had upped the dose again.My mum has become a shadow of herself from just 1 week ago.She has become like a zombie,slurring her speach , not hearing  me when I talk to her, drooling and just being completely out of it.I am really confused as to why she has been prescribed this drug for anxiety because she does not need it.It has taken away her mental capacity and ability to enjoy what time we have left.I am going home feeling so bad for her and I am completely distressed seeing her this way.Should i question the medication and can I ask for it to be removed.I have looked up why it is prescribed and there is nothing about cancer or relieving pain.It is just keeping her completely zoned out.

  • I'm so sorry your going through this. 

    Have you spoken to the doctor/ nurses in the hospice to ask why she was prescribed these meds? 

    Diazepam can be good for back pain which is a symptom of lung cancer. You could explain your a bit worried it's not agreeing with her and suggest another pain relief. My mam was on Morphine Sulphate Tablets  which seemed to help her pain but everyone is different. 

    I hope you get sorted soon.