mums small cell squamous lung cancer and chemotherapy

where to start.  Mum was diagnosed with non small cell squamous lung cancer stage 4 last year, she has had 2 rounds of chemo, the first round halted the growth of the tumours, further chemo stopped working.  she was offered a trial drug which she accepted, but it failed to work and now the cancer has spread to her liver and kidney adrenal glands.  She has been offered further chemo treatment and she has decided not to have it.  I am really struggling with her decision, I know it is totally her decision, and i can totally see where she is coming from, why put yourself through horrid treatment that may not have any benefit., but I want her to have it in the hope it may be buy her/ussome more time.  I am afraid of how long we will have her for if she doesnt have the treatment.  Does anyone have any experience of life exectancy if she doesnt have treatment. I am worried about everything to be honest, how long she has left, how it will be dealt with, what help can we get etc.how will my dad cope. 

  • Hello Dawn and a big welcome to our forum,

    It does sound like a difficult decision your mum has had to take and that it has led to you being understandably worried about her. If you live in the UK and feel the need to talk things through with our knowledgeable cancer nurses, you can ring them on this free number 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope you will get to talk to some of our forum members who have been in a similar situation facing difficult treatment choices and having the same worries as you at the moment.

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator