My Granfather age 77 was diagnosed with lung cancer. He has not smoked for almost 25 years. The tumor is at stage 3B (I'm not really sure what the B means but, I'm guessing in cancer in 3 spots) and it is pressing against his heart and one collapsed lung. He also has congestive heart failure. Currently he is in the hospital with phnemonia. I know he is not going to survive this, but my question is: is it really worth doing the radiation treatment to get a few more months of life? I'm not trying to be mean but, practical. The radiation is going to make him more tired than he already is so why put him throuhg more pain than needed. My family also has not talked about making hospice arrangements.
ANY THOUGHTS?
2007-08-15 02:56:38 · 12 answers · asked by ? 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
The problem is my family is sugar coating everything that they tell him. Because he is having trouble understanding some of the things that are going on. My aunt which is his daughter told him that everything would be fine after his radiation and that he would live. The doctor bursted her bubble and now he knows everything but, I don't know if he understood.
2007-08-15 03:16:37 · update #1
Definition of stage IIIb:
Stage IIIB: Stage IIIB NSCLC has spread too widely to be completely removed by surgery. If you are in relatively good health you may be helped by combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In some cases, you may be able to have surgery to remove some, if not all of the tumors, after chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation (if not give before surgery) is recommended.Chemotherapy is usually given with or without radiation to all stage IIIB lung cancers, even if surgery cannot be done to remove the tumor(s). Several clinical trials are in progress to determine the best treatment for people with this stage of lung cancer.
It does sound like he's in pretty rough shape, yes, but you have to remain positive for his sake. I'm going through a similar situation and my motto is "Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best". Keep yourself strong and positive for your grandfather's sake. Saying "I know he is not going to survive this", is shutting the door on him. Yes, he's bad off, yes, he's 77 years old, but miracles happen every day, so dont' ever write that off. Being realistic is good, but being negative like that isn't going to help you, your grandfather, or anyone around you.
If his oncologist has suggested radiation, then it is your grandfather's choice to receive that treatment, and it shouldn't be questioned. If he responds poorly for the treatment and they've done all they can do, then you bring in Hospice. And confused or not, everyone deserves the chance to fight.
Try to put yourself in his shoes, or anyone else that is going through this horrible time. Wouldn't you want to do everything you could to survive? I feel very bad for you all - and will pray for you. I truly hope he pulls through and is able to enjoy more years with his loved ones.
2007-08-15 03:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The likely reason that your Grandfather will have radiation treatment is to shrink the tumor and make him more comfortable. It sounds like he is very ill and in alot of pain and shrinking the tumor should help reduce the pain. If he survives the treatments then your family may be able to arrange for palliative care (keeping pain under control rather than trying to cure him) at a hospice.
So, should he have the radiation treatment? By all means.
It would be the kind thing to do for him.
2007-08-15 10:34:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
It is a tough time knowing someone you love is comming close to the end of this life and trying to work out what is right ....,well that is so personal. I know that my grand mother went throug surgery for her cancer and what ever the treatment at that age the weakening of the body takes so much. we probably lost quality time for a longer time much of which ended in a coma.
I guess i am suggesting that if I had the time over I would have asked her to go with hospice and spent a better time.
Ask a doctor without a vested interest as to the kind of quality of life the treatment will leave him with. If it is on the poor side, maybe go with pain management and good time. try a video of your time together to really benefit.
Best wishes and whatever is the choice it will be the right one for your family.
Cheers energybuild
2007-08-15 10:12:29 · answer #3 · answered by energybuild 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi hon,
It is really his decision whether he wants to go through radiation or not. Your family may be trying to talk him into it, but he is the one who gets to make the final decision no matter what they say. The best thing you can do is let him know you are there for him and support whatever decision he makes. You may want to remind him that not getting treatment and going to a hospice is an option, but remember, the final decision is still 100% his.
Tumors are graded by how advanced (and life-threatening) they are. Stage 3 cancer is pretty far advanced.
2007-08-15 10:08:09 · answer #4 · answered by Mel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a hard question to answer.It sounds as if the terminal cancer is not the only major problem he has.In that case,what do you really think he would do if asked the same question?My opinion would be to spare him the discomfort of radiation therapy,and try to make the best of his remaining days by making him comfortable and just be there by his side.
2007-08-15 10:08:22 · answer #5 · answered by TomatoMug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk about hospice as soon as possible. They can make him more comfortable there. I went through this with my dad. There is no cure for small cell lung cancer. The chemo is good for 3 times but just slows it down while making them terribly sick. To go through it is a personal choice but he probably has months at best. It might buy a little more time for the family. God bless you.
2007-08-15 10:03:39 · answer #6 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I guess the main question would be his health in general. Do the doctors think the radiation treatments will cure him? Seeing a loved one go through so much pain is hard. I lost my father 2 years ago and my mother almost 2 months ago. I miss them, but I am glad they are not in pain anymore.
2007-08-15 10:04:33 · answer #7 · answered by Jessie H 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you want to know a bit more about his cancer, for example what is stage 3B Cancerbackup has a page on the staging of lung cancer: http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lung/Causesdiagnosis/Staging
they also have a whole section dedicated to lung cancer info:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lung
they have lots of info on support and caring for cancer sufferers etc. They're the foremost cancer information providers in Europe...they are a charity based in London. They have a freephone number if you are in the UK 08088001234 or you can email one of their specialised nurses directly on: http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Contactus/Cancerenquiry/Emailenquiry
2007-08-15 10:52:34 · answer #8 · answered by Thomas M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a difficult decision to make and I'd hate to be in your position, but can understand you. i wouldn't necessarily want my grandfather to go through such a treatment. there are many side effects, and the quality of life to be gained from radiation is not guaranteed.
I'd suggest talking to him, is he capable of making this decision himself? if he is, i think you and your family should respect it regardless of how painful for you it might be to lose him.
2007-08-15 10:05:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just one thought- why not ask HIM what he would like to do?
He may opt for not taking treatment. He may wish to not go to a hospice at all.
I had a relative that chose to be at his own home.
He preferred that- to call his own shots, to go how and where.
2007-08-15 10:02:58 · answer #10 · answered by Jed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋