Yesterday I went with my mom for a visit to the cancer doctor. She had taken three tests in March, to determine the status, and course of treatment, of her non-small cell lung cancer, and the news we received was very grim.
My mother has metastsized cancer in both of her lungs, and a suspicious lump on her breast, that will need to be biopsyed. The doctor told us that lung surgery, which is usually his first course of treatment for his patients, is now not an option, because there are tumors in both lungs, and he only does surgery if the tumors are localized in one lung. He said the only option is chemotherapy, once a week, three hours a day. When my mom asked him if she was going to die, the Dr was kind, but honest. He said that about 85% of his patients die from mestastisized lung cancer within two years. He also said that she must have chemotherapy immediately, or she will be gone before the end of 2010. The Dr did say that if the chemo is successful in shrinking the lung tumors, he may be able to do surgery down the road.
Mom pledges that she is going to fight to the end. I'm emotionally preparing myself for the worst. Whatever happens, I just don't want her to suffer. Supposedly, the Dr told her that metastatic lung cancer, is not a "suffering cancer", whatever the heck that means.
As I've posted before, what makes this situation doubly difficult is my situation with my father. With each piece of terrible news my mom and I receive, it seems the news for him gets better, because, as I've posted before, he just can't wait for her to die, so he can best figure out how to spend her alimony check on his wife and himself. When I e-mailed him last night to tell him the terrible news we got from the Dr, he didn't even reply.
We plan to begin chemotherapy here, but my mom is also going to get a second opinion from a Dr in NJ who my aunt had seen on TV.
Right now, the situation looks very grim. Mom is devestated, I'm devestated, and we're both physcially and emotionally exhausted. The scary part is: She doesn't even seem sick. She's not coughing blood, and hasn't lost any weight, although the Dr did say the blood could start again at any time.
So, thats the story. She should make it through 2010 with chemo. 2011, we aren't so sure. I know we have to take life one day at a time.
Any support would be appreciated. Thank you to all those who have reached out to me so far.
Mitch
My mother has metastsized cancer in both of her lungs, and a suspicious lump on her breast, that will need to be biopsyed. The doctor told us that lung surgery, which is usually his first course of treatment for his patients, is now not an option, because there are tumors in both lungs, and he only does surgery if the tumors are localized in one lung. He said the only option is chemotherapy, once a week, three hours a day. When my mom asked him if she was going to die, the Dr was kind, but honest. He said that about 85% of his patients die from mestastisized lung cancer within two years. He also said that she must have chemotherapy immediately, or she will be gone before the end of 2010. The Dr did say that if the chemo is successful in shrinking the lung tumors, he may be able to do surgery down the road.
Mom pledges that she is going to fight to the end. I'm emotionally preparing myself for the worst. Whatever happens, I just don't want her to suffer. Supposedly, the Dr told her that metastatic lung cancer, is not a "suffering cancer", whatever the heck that means.
As I've posted before, what makes this situation doubly difficult is my situation with my father. With each piece of terrible news my mom and I receive, it seems the news for him gets better, because, as I've posted before, he just can't wait for her to die, so he can best figure out how to spend her alimony check on his wife and himself. When I e-mailed him last night to tell him the terrible news we got from the Dr, he didn't even reply.
We plan to begin chemotherapy here, but my mom is also going to get a second opinion from a Dr in NJ who my aunt had seen on TV.
Right now, the situation looks very grim. Mom is devestated, I'm devestated, and we're both physcially and emotionally exhausted. The scary part is: She doesn't even seem sick. She's not coughing blood, and hasn't lost any weight, although the Dr did say the blood could start again at any time.
So, thats the story. She should make it through 2010 with chemo. 2011, we aren't so sure. I know we have to take life one day at a time.
Any support would be appreciated. Thank you to all those who have reached out to me so far.
Mitch
So sorry to hear this, Mitch! I'm glad she's getting a second opinion, though. When it comes to a situation like this, some doctors are more willing to go all out in their efforts, knowing that it could buy the person more time. Be sure to communicate all reactions to her oncologist. There are things that can be taken to offset some of that. And, there are many different chemo cocktails that can be tried to find which works best for her. My mom was with us for 5 years after hers (which started in her breast) first hit the lungs. Feel free to PM me as things progress if you need to vent to someone who understands. You both continue to be in thought and prayer.
