Hello

hi there my dad was diagnosed with lungs cancer in Feb of this year. Unfortunately they were unable to operate as he has a bad heart and he wouldn't survive the op. He had 4 weeks of intense radiotherapy which surprisingly shrunk the tumour. We were under the impression dad would start to feel better but quite quickly he was getting ver wheezy and breathless. We ended up in a&e twice with a large amount of fluid on his lung. The first time it was drained but 2 weeks later it returned and now the consultant wants to do a bronchoscopy into his lung to see what's going on with the cancer. My family know that dads cancer is terminal but we're scared and want to know how long we have with him and what to expect. Has anybody else had a similar experience? Thank you 

  • Hello Jack, I am so sorry to hear yr bad news. I am basicaly in the same position as your dad- I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in June, and same as your dad have a bad heart and unable to operate. I was told that without treatment I would probably have approx 6 months, but my oncologist  was prepared to try Chemotherapy, I also had a bronchoscopy which is necessary to detect the state of the cancer and which type of cancer it is (mine is a mixture of small cell and non small cell). I was not offered radiotherapy as the tumour is too close to my heart.

    I have just finished my fifth cycle of chemo, and my last CT showed that it hasn't spread anywhere else as yet. I think that you have to be positive and trust in the consultant and have the bronchoscopy which will give him a better idea of what is happening and the next course of action. I really don't think anyone can give you a definate answer to your question "how long have we got" but remain positive and take each day as it comes and on good days make the most of your time and above all try and keep your spirits up especailly in front of dad - on good days why not take him out. I know how diffiult it is believe me but for dad's sake please remain posiitve and accept any treatment that is offered. I am here if yu ever need to chat, but please let me know how it's going.

    Kind regards Pamela

  • thankyou for your reply Pamela. It's lovely to see how positive you are about things . As a family we are all trying to come to terms with this and spend as much quality with dad as possible. I hope your feeling well during chemo. X