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stage 4 lung cancer

doreeen3
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My Dad was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer about 2 months ago. He'd been suffering with back pain that was getting progressively worse for a few months before and was misdiagnosed - told him it was purely muscular- before they gave him blood tests and was rushed to hospital. By the time they'd found it it had spread to his spine, legs, and lymph nodes and he was given 3-9 months. We are devastated and it still doesnt seem real. Like a bad dream that i'm waiting to wake up from. We are caring for him at home and he'd been in suprisingly good spirits until about a week ago, when suddenly he has become incredibly tired, completely lost his appetite. He also seems quite confused sometimes when we speak to him, its hard to describe, and he keeps twitching and zoning out completely. Has anyone else experienced this and if so at what point in the diagnosis? I'm not sure if it means his condition is really beginning to deteriotate or if it could be to do with some blood thinning injections which he started taking aroundt the same time? thanks for any advice, and sending love to anyone on this forum :(( it is such a horrible disease 

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    Hi Doreen, mis diagnosis is the worst to deal with because it leaves a lot of unanswered questions.  It took 5 months to diagnose my husband with stage 4 lung cancer, he's struggled on for 4 years but your Dad's has obviously gone into other parts of his body.  He will have a McMillan nurse so they can help with all your questions and you will get the current help.  You take care as well.  Carol x 

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    Hi,

    I am so so sorry to read your post as I know exactly how you are feeling and it is absolute torture for all involved. My dad was diagnosed in October with advanced SCLC which had spread to the liver and kidney. His prognosis was 10-14 months. Since then he has been admitted to hospital three times totalling 6 weeks. This meant we were robbed of spending his last Christmas as a family  . I feel I cannot accept what is happening. I can acknowledge the prognosis he has been given, and I can see how quickly he has deteriorated but I am just not ready to accept this. Everything feels like it is moving at a pace that I was not expecting and am heartbroken by. It's so overwhelming! My dad is in pain, has lost a significant amount of weight and is now sleeping on and off most of the time. He began palliative chemo and has had 2 sessions - he is due his third this week but he is so weak I just don't think he can do it. He is losing his stubborn, fighting streak and it feels like one infection and abnormal blood result after another! When you're dealing with just a prognosis you console yourself thinking we can make memories, go to so many special places etc and the reality for me has been watching my father 'wilt like a flower' (as he puts it).  

     I worry that we are now approaching the end, but despite the involvement of district and Macmillan nurses nobody has said this to me. The not knowing is awful, and having feared the end was near previously I decided to try and be more level headed and not allow my emotions to be taken on the roller coaster ups and downs that come with advanced cancer - but I can't help it. It is exhausting playing this guessing game . 

     

    I truly hope you can find some comfort in knowing that there are others experiencing the same feelings and fears as you. 
     

    Take care of yourself. Wishing lots of luck to you and your Dad xx

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