I am new

• By hopefuldaughter
• Posted November 23, 2008 at 9:29 pm
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I am so sorry that you have to be here. It's a tough road, but the disease can be treatable. Please let us know what specific question you have and this is such a wonderful forum, you will get help.

Big hugs,
Pam

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• By kaencarsmom
• Posted November 23, 2008 at 9:46 pm
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I understand what you are going through. My dad was diagnosed in May during a routine exray for out patient surgery. He is 64. I have a three year old and a six year old who are also close to their Papa. (they call him that too!)
I am also a HUGE daddy's girl. I cant imagine one single day without him. This has been very hard. My dad has been depressed, scared, and not himself. We try to keep him positive. He is the best dad! He just finished his 5th chemo after having surgery that was supposed to "cure" him. His last scan showed his cancer reduced by 80 percent. We are thrilled but i know how cancer is and its hard to be optimistic. Anyway, if you need to talk. I am here. I understand.

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• By southernfriedmom
• Posted November 23, 2008 at 9:54 pm
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Thank you so much. It sounds like we have alot in common. You are right it's really hard to be optimistic, but our family, faith and friends help. I am the kind of person who likes to talk and the more I talk about this, the easier it is to deal with. I hope your father is doing well. that's great that the tumor was reduced. I hope that there is something that can be done. the waiting is the worst of all of this. Keep in touch.

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• By medtrans
• Posted November 23, 2008 at 10:48 pm
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Good way to keep all your family and friends up to date is to create a web page for your dad. Then all you have to do is update the web page and your friends and family can go to the website to keep informed. It is very easy to do, just go to
www.caringbridge.org
it will take you through the steps to setting this up for you. My mom has a web page, check it out.
www.caringbridge.org
lynnbengert (you will be asked to type this in, no spaces)
loveandprayer (this is the password, no spaces. It is amazing site.
Please state that only positive gestures are aloud on your fathers website. No negativity. My mom goes to her website to stay positive.

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• By Mon
• Posted November 24, 2008 at 6:33 am
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hi, i'm sorry that you had to come here as well, but welcome! I float around the boards and even though it is my mum going through the cancer, not me, it has been an ENORMOUS help reading all the posts on here. My Mum was just diagnosed last week, she is only 64, so i understand the shock and sadness that the diagnosis brings.. i had to have a day off work and just hide under the blankets!
If you ever want to talk, this is the place.. it is so reassuring to know there are people out there that are going through the same . if there is anything i can say or do, let me know!
And I recommend what i always do ... stay away from anything negative on the internet, and just stick to either the cancer section that is relevant to you on here, or just the survivor stories.. i spend many hours in the survivor stories section,as it is so inspirational and gives me hope when i am feeling down!
Its so so easy to imagine worst case scenario.
While my mum has the cancer now, i am also very much a Daddys girl (well, a amummy's girl too) and i lost him to cancer a couple of years ago.. so i think i know a lot of the emotions you are feeling!!

I'll add you (and everyone!) to my prayers.

xo

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• By Marie400
• Posted November 24, 2008 at 7:48 am
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I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. For you, being a nurse is good and bad. Good because you are so medically knowledgeable. Bad for the same reason.

Since you are a nurse it would be a good idea, if at all feasible, for you to accompany your Dad to as many Dr. visits as possible. Lung cancer isn't just terribly scary, but all the tests, treatments, etc. are very confusing. Being a nurse you probably know just what to ask and you will certainly understand more than the average lay person.

Of course this is a blow to your family. It would be difficult for anyone to accept. I know when my Mom was dx'd with lc I could have just laid down and died. I didn't because I knew she was going to need me in so many ways.

This is a great site. Lots of people here have survived lc and are willing to share their experiences and advice. There are also family members looking for answers and comfort too. Be strong - you can do it and you have to.

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• By scared1
• Posted November 26, 2008 at 12:34 pm
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I also am going thru what you are going thru. I am a nurse and my 78 year old dad was just diagnosed. He has a pet scan monday (they told him congrats your stage 1...now they aren't sure. ) I don't know if he can physically do radiation, but rad and chemo scares me to death. I am so afraid this treatment is going to kill him. My dad lives with me and its just us. I only hope I can pull together the strength to help him thru this.

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• By southernfriedmom
• Posted November 26, 2008 at 3:51 pm
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Dear scared1

I got some really good advice from my dad's oncologist. He said take it week to week, because if you look at the big picture it's very overwhelming. We too are also terrified, and being a fellow nurse we know what this stuff can do. I just pray for the best. But if the worst happens I'll have to deal with it when and if it comes. Maybe our father's are stronger than we think. We really don't know how they'll take it until they start. Also, there are safety measures to try to prevent complications. I have to think that way or I will panic. This holiday we are not even going to think about this, it will not be brought up. Our family are going to enjoy our time together and not have this as the center of conversation. God Bless

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• By scared1
• Posted November 26, 2008 at 3:55 pm
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Lets keep in touch and let me know how things go with your dad.

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