he has lung cancer and now that he went to kemo it has done more harm then good, now the doctor wants him to have his lung removed, and we are not to sure on what to do, can a person live with only one lung? and if so will he be able to live a normal life, some one please help my family and I to better understand.
2006-10-17 10:31:06 · 4 answers · asked by lovely_lightskin 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Yes, you can live with one lung. Many people undergo partial or total removal of a lung for cancer. He had chemotherapy first to shrink the tumor, then they cut it out so that no tumor remains in what is left behind. Then he may get more chemo, or radiation therapy, especially if he has metastases (the cancer has spread to other parts of the body). He will not be able to smoke, or be as athetically active as he was before, (if he was ever athletic) but he will otherwise be able to live a normal life.
I have included a link to the American Cancer Society's website, it's chock full of useful information on cancer and cancer survivors.
2006-10-17 11:03:02 · answer #1 · answered by phantomlimb7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know a person who survived lung cancer for many years after that drastic treatment. You can live on one lung.
But - it really only makes sense if the cancer has not yet sent metastases out to the other lung or to other tissues. A chemo is supposed to suppress the metastases but in reality it does not often work well. So on top they will want to have the patient do radiation therapy.
After all it depends on how old your father in law is and how good a physical condition otherwise. You have to have the health of horse to go out well of this.
Another person I know decided at some point to just stop all the treatments because the quality of life suffered from the radiation, surgeries and what not.
So - it will be a very personal decision of your father in law who is the only one who will know what to do. He has a sense for his body and how far he can push the limits.
2006-10-17 11:55:20 · answer #2 · answered by spaceskating_girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If was within the last few weeks of his life would they not have sent him to hospice? Als remember that if has been diagnosed with cancer and has less than 6 months to live he is entitled to free nursing home care. They don't often tell you that. What sort of hospital tried to feed a 73 year old man curry, for christs sake.
2016-05-21 21:40:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two good books full of good advice for cancer patients are: "How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine" by Mike Murray, and "Beating Cancer With Nutrition" by Pat Quillen. You will find both to be a goldmine of good expert advice. No snake oil here!
Good luck and God bless!
2006-10-17 10:35:30 · answer #4 · answered by Mad Roy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋