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My Father has Lung Cancer

Phatbloke
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Hi Everyone,

My father was recently diagosed with stage 4 lung cancer. We have been told that it is also in his lymph nodes and adrenal gland. He had his first bout of chemotherapy yesterday and is in surprisingly good spirits. He has been told that with chemo he has 12 months if everything works the way it is supposed to. My main worry is what if it does not work? Whats the prognosis then? I stayed with him last night and although we were told that the chemo he had is a "sicky" type, He is fine, Up and about and his non existant appetite has come back with avengance. Can somebody give me an idea of what to expect going forward? So many sityes say different things but I would rather hear from people that have had to deal with this personally.

 

Thanks

 

Barry

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    Hi Barry and welcome to the forum, though sorry it's your dad's illness that's your reason for finding us. It's good that your dad has had his first session of chemo and is feeling ok. When I had chemo, I was given steroids to take for three days after an infusion to help with appetite (and they worked!) I was also supplied with anti sickness tablets to take at home to help with any nausea or sickness I may have had. I think it's only fair to say that chemo affects everyone differently - some tolerate it well and others may struggle. The early sessions are often the easiest to get through but the cummulative effect as the chemo builds up, can make some patients feel quite unwell. Your dad's team will always closely monitor his chemo regime and how he is coping. Hope my reply hasn't worried you - as I said, every patient is different. It may be worth you ringing the nurses on this site and talking to them about your dad's particular type of chemo and what side effects your dad may experience. I hope your dad continues to make good progress with his treatment. Take care, Jo x
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    Hi Barry and welcome. As Jo says - everyone is different with the chemo. Tell him to rest up if he needs to. He sounds a really good dad and I am sure you both enjoy each other company. This won't change as he progresses with his treatment. My dad went through this and we had a great time during his final year. At the very end he had a short illness with no pain and went on his way. 

    Keep the onc. well informed of anything - as they can do so much to reduce any side effects of the chemo. Let us know how you all get on and do feel free to keep in touch.. 

    All the best to you all

    steven

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65
    Thanks for the reply Jo, he is still in good spirits with no sickness yet. He is feeling a bit queasy and a little weaker today but has a massive craving for Fish!! I took him to billingsgate fish market and he hasn't stopped eating.... My uncle (dads brother) is landing today from Ireland to stay with him for the week so he is really looking forward to seeing him. It's good to know there are people out there for advice when it's needed. Barry
  • Offline in reply to brighteyes

    Hi Steven,

     

    Thanks for the reply, He has had next to no ill side effects from the chemo apart from feeling a little weak on one of the days. The main priority for me now is to get him eating again. He is not reall eating anything and his appetite has pretty much dissapeared. The hospital have given him 3 days of steroids that helped a little but he is slowly getting weaker. The GP precribed complan but he can't stomach it. I think this is the reason he was not sick after the chemo, nothing to bring up. Any suggestions would be appreciated. He got a craving for fish so I took him to Billingsgate fish market in London but as much as he bought, he has eaten nothing.

     

    Barry

  • Offline in reply to Phatbloke

    Hi Barry = yea my pop had complan - but he wasn't mad on it - it was quite hard to swallow for him. And then he craved fish! So, off IU went and came back with some jellied eels (his fav) - these went down the hatch okay! I am not sure - but I think you can get these high energy drinks in lots of flavours and the good thing is they are full of vitamins - best to ask the doc or the chemists. As you say - he has to eat to build himself up again = I will be thinking of him and you all - its aweful watching this happen to Dad - isn't it? 

    Steven

  • Offline in reply to Phatbloke
    Hi Barry, hope your dad is enjoying his brother's visit. Sorry to read in your message to Steven that your dad's appetite is reduced. I have to say I was of the same mind about the Complan as your dad. I could never mix it thoroughly enough and always managed to leave lumps! When my appetite was suppressed, I used to drink Bovril /Oxo as I felt it was doing me some good (think it contains vitamin B12) I also used to fancy jelly and little trifles! It may just be a case of having a few tempting treats in the cupboard / fridge to try and tickle your dad's tastebuds. Hope the chemo sessions continue to go ok. Take care of yourself too, Barry. Jo xx
  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65
    Hi Barry, I am sorry to see the reason why you have joined this forum. The people here are a great mob ,very caring and supportive. Hope dad is enjoying his brothers visit. I found cooking something like bacon could prompt the "I'll have a bit of that" response. Fried bread? As Jo suggests little desserts, custards, trifles, mousses may tempt. Have you offered hot chocolate, horlicks milk based drinks? Does dad like chocolate? I used to leave choc bars within reach and they would be eaten throughout the day. I don't know if a glass of Guinness or stout is allowed with the treatment, but lots of calories there. Hope this helps. Take care. Kathy
  • Offline in reply to brighteyes

    Hi Steven,

    I am picking up another drink for him today from the chemist that is the same as complan but in a juice format, hopefully this will help. He had his 2nd lot of Chemo 2 days ago and this one has hit him a lot worse. Hopefully he will start feeling a bit better today. Its crap watching this happen to him but what else can I do.

    Barry

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi Jo,

    Jelly has worked, we made a big bowl of strawberry jelly and he ate half. Tried the bacon and some irish sausages but no joy. I am picking up some new juice drinks that do the same as complan from the chemist for him today as well as a course of steroids so I am hoping this will help build his appetite. Thanks for the response. Its good to know there is someone I can go to.

     

    Regards

     

    Barry

  • Offline in reply to KathyS

    Hi Cathy,

    Unfortuantly he hasnt really got a sweet tooth although he did finish half a bowl of Jelly last week. Bacon and irish sausages failed but he has a sudden craving for egg sandwiches although he can only stomach half at a time. Getting steroids for him and another juice type drink that should help build him up. He had his second bout of chemo (day 8) on Wednesday and it has made him feel much worse this time round. Hoping he will be a bit better later today. Thanks for the response.

    Regards

    Barry

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