Dad has small cell lung cancer with metastatic spread

Hello, I am Charli, 34 years old, my dad is 55. He was diagnosed last December with this awful cancer, he's since undergone 3 weekly rounds of chemotherapy for a year. He's so depressed, sad all of the time and I wish there was some way I could help him. I completely get that he's gone through so much but its heart-breaking watching my usually happy go lucky dad who was full of fighting talk a few months back be a shell of his former self. He also has a very swollen eye lid which I have read can be a side effect of chemo. He had a brain scan recently and we are just awaiting the results, if he was having chemo, does it mean that new cancer wouldn't grow in his brain?? I really don't want it to be in his brain and for him to suffer anymore. I am so proud of him. Determined to make this Christmas the best ever and make lots of memories. 

  • Hello Charli89, 

    I am sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis and that he has been depressed and sad. What an awful year it must have been for him and it must be heart-breaking for you to see this deterioration month after month. The swollen eyelid must be rather uncomfortable for him too and I hope that there are ways to minimize this side effect, that they can prescribe something to alleviate the symptoms. 

    It must be a rather anxious time at the moment as you are awaiting the results of the brain scan and I am keeping everything crossed for you that the cancer hasn't spread to your dad's brain. This Christmas is going to be quite an emotional time for you all but you are right to want to make this a great occasion for you to be together and create lots of memories. I hope that you will have a wonderful Christmas despite the difficult circumstances. We're thinking of you though during this difficult time and wanted you to know you are not alone. I hope that you will hear from other members of our community who are sadly also looking after a loved one with cancer and who are feeling like you this Christmas.

    If you ever wanted to talk to one of our cancer nurses or wanted to ask them anything or talk through his brain scan or his chemotherapy treatment, they are available on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator