Has any body lost any one to lung cancer?

Question

MY MOTHER AS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER,SHE AS A 8CM TUMOR ON HER RIGHT LUNG.ONE DOCTOR SAID THEY NEEDED TO TAKE A SAMPLE OF THE LYNTH NODES.THEN THE DOCTOR THIS MORNING SAID SHE WAS'NT STRONG ENOUGH.SO THEY WILL JUST DO CHEMO INSTEAD,THEN IN 8 WEEKS IF IT HAS'NT HALTED IT,WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION IF WE CARRY ON TREATMENT OR LET HER DIE WITH OUT ANY MORE TREATMENT,IS THIS HOW IT WORKS OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE,BY THE WAY SHE AS NO INSURANCE AND SHE DOES NOT QAULIFY FOR MEDICARE BECAUSE SHE AS ONLY BEEN IN THE COUNTRY FOR 3 YEARS.ONE DOC DID SUGGEST TO TAKE HER BACK TO UK...IF ANYBODY CAN GIVE US ANY INFO IT WOULD REALLY HELP AS ALL THIS IS NEW TO OUR FAMILY...THANKS BRENDAN

Answer 1

I'm really sorry to hear about your mum,,my father died when I was 17 of lung cancer, he didn't tell us till the last minute, we only had 1 week with him before he died, I hate to sound morbid but I'd cherish every minute we had if I had that time again.
I don't think bringing her back to the UK would help much as you'd surely pay for any treatment necessary if it would help.

Answer 2

Fact that your mother has a one sided tumour is a good prognostic sign. Means that the left lung is still efficient and clear of dangers way ,actually she is living with it right now. The drs must make one thing clear for ur family , so as to set them be your goals 1- the type of cancer "has it been identified" , 2-what line of chemo is being given , and 3-what is the ultimate aim of Chemo , is it for surgical removal of the lung or to reduce the size of tumour and attack it by radiation after . Cancer treatment is a long journey its not a race to remiss and become well again nor a race to die , its a marathon of survival , the longer the person lives the better his chances of surviving it . Rest assure that a human can live with one lung and even less. Also that Lung transplants can be performed . The best in this field are the french health professionals.

Answer 3

I'm really sorry to hear about your mother. My mom died from lung cancer 6.5 years after diagnosis. She was already stage 4 at diagnosis (mets to ribs) She had chemo the lobectomy, and partial rib resection. As far as treatment for her, 8 cm is a large tumor. Her age and current medical condition will be a factor in her treatment and survival. The docs can recommend she have no treatment, but you can always fight their decision and ask for it anyway. That's what my Mom did for at least 2.5 years all the while they were telling her stop and she refused. Check with the American Cancer Society, they usually have resources available for the uninsured. Also, check with a community or teaching hospital. They usually have community based health insurance programs to assist the under insured and the uninsured.

Answer 4

I am so sorry to hear about your mother, but all is not lost. My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer in Feb of 2003. They did lymph node biopsy (were going to remove the tumour until they found out it had spread to the nodes). She did chemo and radiation then surgery 6 months later followed by one more round of chemo and she is still with us. She was staged at stage 4 (the most severe - solid organ spread) for which the survival rate is less than 10% and she is doing well.

This does not mean everyone has this good an outcome, and my mom is not without her problems, but lung cancer does not automatically mean death. - I'll be praying for your family.

Answer 5

I lost a close friend just over a year ago and I find Lala's comments interesting as he actually died from pneumonia due to a weakened immune system and already weakened lungs. You are entitled to a second opinion in the UK so I guess its the same there. I don't know of any alternative treatments im afraid however I would suggest that you begin telephoning every charity, hospital, clinic, institution, medical body, university in order to gain more insight. Why not start with the British Embassy.

Answer 6

They are just trying to cover all the bases. The choice is up to your dad whether he wants the chemo. He doesn't have to take it. It depends on how old he is. If he has some age on him, maybe he wouldn't live long enough for the cancer to come back. Who knows what will happen? It just a risk thing. Do you know what 's involved in the chemo treatments.? How long they last? The side effects, etc? Loss of hair? Hope ya'll make the best decision.

Answer 7

First, you might want a second opinion. I lost my father-in-law to lung cancer in 1991. We caught it too late, I guess. I know John Wayne(the movie actor)had lung cancer and surgery to remove part of his lung and he lived several years. Chemo might help and cancer treatment is come a long way. There are many new treatments being developed and I wouldn't give up hope. Trust God to take care of your Mother and have faith everything will be fine. Tell her keep a positive outlook and I wish her Good luck. I'm sure she'll be fine. God took care of me through my cancer treatment and I know He still is.

Answer 8

i sadly lost my grandad 3 yrs ago to lung cancer he had smoked his whole life and was 60 yrs old, the doctor told him that it was just asthma and years later at the hospital they told him it was actually cancer, so im disgusted by the way they left him and knew what it really was and didnt treat him straight away. he went on chemo but it made him weak and the cancer just took over. hopefully they will cure your mother of it and she will make a full recovery, its good to see they are actually doing something about it. i wish u all the best, just stay strong and u can get through it xxx

Answer 9

I am sorry to hear about your moms news...I lost my dad to lung cancer nearly 2 years ago and I found it so devastating..still is...the helplessness you go through is so frustrating. Has your mom been diagnosed with any secondary cancer ( has it spread anywhere else?) ...my dad had cancer in his right lung but by the time they found it, it had spread to his bones...has your mom had a bone scan or any other investagative procedures? They gave my dad chemo and radiotherapy but it was not to cure it, more to try and halt its progress and make him more comfortable but he was too weak to go on with it and was given the prognosis of 'you have a year if you are lucky' - he lasted 7 months. I think with cancer it is a very personal thing,.,,,each time it seems to differ from person to person so I guess there are no steadfast rules with it....from my own experience the only thing I can truly believe is the most important thing is your moms comfort and dignity... I know this doesn't really answer questions about coming back to UK but if she is too weak for biopsy of lymph nodes, maybe the return journey would be too much?? What you need is to be open with each other, discuss the options, weigh up the pros and cons of each option..don't be afraid to voice your thoughts to your family or more so the docs...they do this everyday and I think they become immune to our pain and suffering, our confusion and bewilderment, guess they have to be. There should be advice available from hospital and support from groups there.....I got a lot of advice from cancerbacup who I think are available worldwide...great support too. Draw close to your family, thats all I can advise right now, be there for your mom and each other.Ask the docs for more information on prognosis....know its a hard one to hear but you need to know exactly what you are dealing with, what type of lung cancer she has etc. My thoughts are with you at this time and if you need to mail me, please feel free. I am thinking of you and your family and your mom xxxx

Answer 10

Brendan, I am so sorry to hear of this! I unfortunately have lost several people in my family to cancer. My uncle had Lung C. his brother, my father Died 8 years later of colon C. and his younger Brother Died 2 years before that of Lupus, which is a form of Cancer..My 2 older sisters have had woman's ovarian Cancer and are fine still so believe me I know something of this... All I will say is to Pray to God that he heals your mother or that she does not suffer Long. It is a terrible disease and with to days technology you would think they could do more? yet People are taken from us in all ways, be it a car crash or heart attach we all go>>>I will pray for you and your Mother God Bless you Both!