Hi all,
Dad is 75 years old and was diagnosed with lung cancer in Nov 08. He has a 7cm tumour on his upper right lobe. They say they cant remove it and it has not mestastisized. He has lost a load of weight and has days when he is very ill and cant face food. He has been for two rounds of chemo (lasting 4 days each) and one course of radiotherapy. Can anyone tell me why the tumour cannot be removed? I worry that the longer it is there, it may start to spread to other areas. They have never told him what stage cancer he has. Is there anything that is easy on the stomach that could help him keep the weight or perhaps help him to put some weight back on? Any suggestions to help Dad would be greatly appreciated. many thanks, Ali (bobs daughter)
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Dad's tumour is 7cm
- By bobsdaughter
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 5:33 pm · 13 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - General
- Shared with the public
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- By owesly
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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Dear Bobsdaughter, the things that go into the decision whether to do surgery or not are the size of the tumor and how much it may or may not have spread by the time it is found and the ability of the person to tolerate the surgery. If the tumor is as localized and contained as you mention, maybe your doctors feel that your dad cannot tolerate the surgery. I do agree with you, however, that if the tumor is localized and not spread out anywhere else, now is the time when they should do all they can to try to remove the tumor before it has a chance to spread. It may be, however, that your dad's doctors feel that your dad may not survive the operation if he has it. That is such a tough position to be in - both for you and your dad but for your doctors as well. In terms of your dad's appetite, ask your doctors for something called Megace (also called Megesterol). This is a pleasant tasting liquid that people take a couple of tablespoons once a day. It doesn't work for everyone (some people take it and it does not help their appetite), but it does work for some people and for those in whom it does work, their appetite goes up tremendously. I pray for the best for your dad. Yours. "Doc"
- By bobsdaughter
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 7:20 pm
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Thanks so much Doc. I will get Dad to ask at the Doctors this week for some Megace.. I worry as we are in such a small city in New Zealand, that maybe Dad is not getting all the help he can get here. Even trips for radiation where an hour each way to the next city's hospital. I feel I need to do something now as he is not getting any better. Short of breath, nausea, dizzy spells constantly, we all hate to see our lovely and proud father having to live like this. Thanks so much for your message.
- By owesly
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 7:25 pm
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Bobsdaughter, if you are in a small town, maybe you might wish to get a second opinion from the largest medical center close to you where you can reasonably drive to (as long as your dad can tolerate the trip) - just so you know in your heart that you left no stone unturned. I wish you the best. Doc
- By cuddles53
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 7:50 pm
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Dear Doc,
I am so pleased you joined our site, there is a great need for good information from the real source of an oncologist. Yyou are truly an inspiration to all of us. I know how busy your days must be, and I am sure another job is not what you need. I give you a lot of credit for working extra hours and trying to help others for free. I don't think we see too much in our day and age anymore of young doctors like yourself really getting out their with the people. Not like the days when the docs would come to make a house call. Now that we know you may visit us here from time to time, it is like a house call. Thanks again.
God bless you.
Sandy
- By Beenthere
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 11:17 pm
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If the Doc was out doing his real job of helping people believe me he would have no time to even be here... Why is it I don't see my doctor or you didn't mention if yours was here??? Doctors who are out there working day and night do not have time to be here answering all the questions he does. Most thoracic surgeons are so busy after lung surgery they send their PA's in to see you. That is the way it is today with many surgeons. This doc here must live in a small, rural area.
- By bobsdaughter
- Posted November 1, 2009 at 12:00 am
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Hi, I think the Doc that answered my question was very helpful. I am searching for answers to help my Dad's condition - not starting a witch hunt on who is on this website. I am just seeking help, if you can help me, then please feel free to give me suggestions. I need a support group, not be involved in judging and attacking people. Please don't attack the people that are trying to help. I am very grateful for his advice.
- By easterbaby
- Posted November 1, 2009 at 3:51 am
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Thanks Doc for taking time to help us however you can.
As for anyone wondering how he has the time maybe that is how he relaxes. He is not out and about 24/7. You have to wind down and maybe this is how he winds down by helping others online.
When I get wound up and have a lot of things that need to be done there is only so much time for that. You have to time to chill and and I go work in the garden or whatever I need to do to revitalize. I think that is what he is doing. Let's be thankful he is with us.
- By kkwv
- Posted November 1, 2009 at 8:41 am
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Thank goodness Doc, an oncologist, has taken the time to help so many of us. On this site he has answered questions that were not adequately explained to my husband and me. I suspect that has also been the case with many of us. A big welcome to you, Doc, and thanks.
- By misself
- Posted November 1, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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Well i want 1st to support Ali and her Dad,and I think that,Docs advice for Megace and a 2nd opinion are excellent.Good wishes,Ali and keep us posted.Secondly it is very common for me to only need 4 hours sleep or less even when working 12 hour shifts.The computer is a godsend as you may not be popular with friends and family calling at 2 am to ask if they want to play.Lots of people here admit they are up on thecomputer.If Doc wants to hang out with us I am flattered and might learn something or gain a friend.AndiB
- By bobsdaughter
- Posted November 1, 2009 at 8:17 pm
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Thanks for you comment AndiB, the doctors info was crucial for my Dad, upsets me that some people are attacking him for making comments, lets hope it does not put the lovely man off from making further comments. I talked to Mum and Dad today, we agree that maybe he will not survive the surgery. He is 75 after all, yet I must say a very fit 75 years. As far as we know now, the cancer is contained and not going anywhere. We are awaiting another scan as he got a bad cold and the full tumour could not be viewed due to excess fluid on the lung. The cold did bring up some nasty stuff which seems to be a good thing. All we can do is wait now for the next results. Once again, thanks for your wishes, Take Care, Ali.
- By madwife
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 9:04 am
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There is no reason why he shouldn't have surgery. Go to another doctor. Some docs have really horrible attitudes about treating older patients.
- By madwife
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 9:07 am
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Maybe there is a cancer care house you can stay at while getting treatment in another city. Travel is so stressful for the patient. I know you have single payer insurance there, are they holding up the treatment?
- By molly11
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 1:59 pm
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First of all best wishes to Ali and her dad and I hope things are ok with both of you.
I just wanted to say, in support of the doc, that here in the UK the consultant oncologists work 9-5, Monday to Friday with the junior doctors doing on-call evenings and weekends for emergancies. I don't know if the system is similar in the USA. I work in palliative care in the UK and know that cancer care is a difficult area to work in. All the doctors I know who work in this field are dedicated care immensly about their patients. Sticking to normal working hours each week and having some kind of a life of their own doesn't make them any less dedicated or any less caring. I commend the Doc for spending some of his spare time offering his advice and expertise on this forum. While I was going through my mum's illness with her I was looking at a forum on a UK website where wrong advice was given to people on a number of occassions regarding treatments and medication. The people giving this advice were well meaning, but weren't professional with the wealth of knowledge people like the Doc will have. I think it will be useful to have the Doc on board to give an impartial view on things and to offer advice such as that he has given to Ali.
Keep up the good work Doc, and everyone else on the forum who give such great support to others.
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