Give me strength...

Dyan
2 Recommendations

Hello,
I am a new member. My brother passed away quickly and painfully from small cell lung cancer. A month later my father was diagnosed with stage 3A non-small cell. He had his lower right lobe and some lymph nodes removed. Had complications and ended up in ICU for 11 days. I was there every day and stayed over one night when he asked me too due to anxiety. I still can't believe my brother is gone and I am having a difficult time being there for my parents and going through it all over again. We talk every day, but I feel guilty about not spending more time with them. Any advise?

This too shall pass......

p.s. we found out that high radon levels are a leading cause of lung cancer. Have any of you heard this?

10 replies

jazzbo

Hi Dyan, I can only imagine how hard this is for you. I am truly sorry you have to handle all this in your life. But I guess that is what life is as someone on here just said the other day you need to experience the bad to truly enjoy the good.
I'm a nine year 3A nsclc survivor. It is a long haul but your dad can an will be able to beat this sucker. Try to focus on whatever positive thing you can. This will help both you and your parents. Negativity feeds off itself but positifity also will feed off itself. The benifits it will bring are tremendous. Mind, body and spirit is what it's all about. Good luck and try and keep your self well. - John

Hedgeklu

Hi Dyan,
I'm sorry you're going through this pain again so soon after the loss of your brother. My father was diagnosed last week with Stage IIIA NSCLC as well. It stinks. He starts chemo on Dec 17th and will have his second treatment on Christmas Eve.

As for radon, yes, yes, yes. My husband is a home inspector who routinely tests homes for radon. He has all the statistics about what a deadly gas that is and the damage it can do. Any home inspection should include a radon inspection.

I wish recovery for our fathers and the strength for us to continue to give them the support they need right now.
Heather

jkonto

Dyan,

I think that it's normal to take time for yourself. If your not healthy you cannot be as supportive as you have to be for your Dad. Try to stay positive and help your parents through this struggle. I try to think about how my dad feels then I stop feeling sorry for myself. I just want to do everything that is in my power to do. Good luck I wish you and your family thr best.

Jessica

Katehere

So sorry to hear the tragic set of events that have come your way. My prayers are with you... As far as Radon goes here is the scoop. Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. The studies that have been done have shown that Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. So a Radon water test should be done as well. If you have "well" water.
I am a Real Estate Broker (27 yrs). I would say for the last ten years we have been testing homes for radon. Simply put...The test is very simple. A canister is placed, typically in the basement of your home and left for three days to get a reading. State standards for a home would a "4" (4 pCi/L equals to 0.016) anything above that would require a system to be put in. Now the good news is... in my practice I have come across many homes with high readings and healthy people living there. As a matter of fact a good friend of mine lived in a home that had a reading of 33,(off the charts) she was also a smoker...lived there for four years prior to testing. Of course she did have a system put in and is still alive and well five years later! So, it doesn't hurt to have your home tested. It never hurts to have a reading taken, if it does come out high...always go for that second opinion with another company. There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home, but the one primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil suction radon reduction system, does not require major changes to your home. Sealing foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind of system more effective and cost-efficient. Similar systems can also be installed in houses with crawl spaces. Radon contractors can use other methods that may also work in your home. The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors. The vent pipe system in my area (CT) costs apprx $1,200.
Another problem that can compromise the lungs and or your health is with anyone living in a finished basement that is damp and or moldy! In any case, when I sell a home I always advise my buyers that a test be taken.
Kate

claires

Yes, radon is a cause of cancer.

As a support giver, you need to be in as good health, physically and emotionally as possible, and that does mean taking time for your personal needs and...wants!

Hang in there, hopefully with less guilt, 'cause guilt isn't helpful to anyone.

hermanade

Yes, we had our home tested (negative) for Radon--did the short-term and long-term Radon tests.

I'm wondering if you should be getting a CT scan for yourself, given that you have two, first-degree relatives with lung CA.

Shawnnajohnny

My dad was diagnosed with non small cell stage 4 lung cancer in June. Today he called me from the doctor and told me he is in remission. There is alot they can do now days. I hope the best for you and your family. Keep praying.

peyz33

Dylan - there is no room for guilt in this fight - just do the best you can and be there when you have the strength to be there. No one will judge you - not even GOD. Try to be strong and when you can't we are here.....
Karen

Dyan

Hello,

I asked the doctors about my being a victim also. I smoked when I was a teenager but quit 18 years ago. They said it would be very small risk, if none. Both my dad and brother smoked. My other brother just quit smoking and he did get his lungs checked - everything came up ok. It will be on the back of my mind though. I just had a physical and everything was ok except I was low on B12 (Stress!!).

Dyan

Dyan

Great news!!

Your family must be so relieved. I hope to hear the same for my dad. He is going for a CT scan Monday because he has an unexplained broken rib. I hoping it is from the chemo and not more cancer. He will also be starting radiation. They are still saying "curable". It's just hard to believe because it is so close to my brother passing.

Dyan

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