pallative or not

my parents diagnosed in September with a lung cancer that spread to brain.

brain tumour removed and treated with radiotherapy.

surgeons have now said too high risk for lung surgery and offering radiotherapy and chemo.

i have so many questions and oncologist appointment toobfar away.

Does this mean incurable

is this palliative or treatment

how long do we have left

 

so much more in my head

thanks for reading

 

  • Hi wifeof, uncurable or palliative are about the same. In February 2016 i was classified as uncurable, November 2019 saw new oncologist and told palliative it depends who you are talking to. I've got prostate Cancer that's gone to lymph nodes, spine, ribs, pelvis and a lung having palliative care all this time that includes treatment. Hope that helps, best wishes..... Billy 

  • Hi wifeof, Im so sorry to hear that.  I cant answer your questions other than to say my Mum in law got a primary brain tumour which was dealt with by radiotherapy, surgery, and medication. That was 20 years ago so I guess more treatments will be available now. The hard thing for us as bystander family members and carers was that it affected her communication and her swallow reflex- she was given a board with icons on it to point to for the words she couldnt say, eg smiley faces or frowning ones, yes and no with a tick or a cross symbol, as her capacity to understand language went haywire too. It might be worth speaking again to the treatment team and specialist nurses about treatment plan and methods they use, and find out what other supports they may have eg via occupational therapy and speech therapy if that becomes an issue as things progress.  hope you can get good support in all this x