This is my first posting, after several weeks of reading through many, many of the posts here.
My father-in-law was diagnosed with stage IIIB NSMC in August. He has undergone approximately 22 radiation treatments and had 2 chemo treatments that ended about 5 weeks ago. The radiation and chemo was very hard on him (could not get around on his own and very very fatigued) and two weeks ago yesterday he was flown from the hospital where he was treated in Garden City, KS to KU Medical Center in Kansas City. After being in ICU for a week at KU Med they confirmed his cancer was severe. His upper right lung is almost completely tumor and he has a large tumor growing rapidly in his bronchial tube. He was released a week later from ICU to go home.
My main question is "Is it normal to recieve many blood transfusions?" From what my husband and I have counted he has recieved at least 10 in the last two weeks, the latest two on Friday evening, back in Garden City. How long can you continue to get blood transfusions?
He wasnt a healthy man before the cancer. Kidney failure requiring dialysis 3 days/week and diabetic for many years.
My husband and I live 6 hours away, so it is hard to get there for appointments and we dont think we are getting all the specifics from his parents (we not sure they are really getting/grasping all the specifics from the doctors).
We know from spending time at the Garden City Hospital and at KU there is nothing more than can due except another round of radiation treatments to make him comfortable (they meet with the radiologist today to see if it is 5 intense treatments or 10 not so intense treatments). We know the end is sometime near but are praying he doesnt have to go through all of the pain.
Needless to say its been very difficult, especially for my husband and oldest daughter (13) and as the "in-law" i have resigned to not saying alot or asking a lot of questions.
Sorry about the rambling on. This is a great site.
thanks,
Connie
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