End Stage Lung Cancer

My father is in the end stages of lung cancer. I have hospice here helping to care for him. We just lost my mother last Friday.
My question is, what should expect to happen in his last days? I am very frightened for him and would like to prepare for what will happen.

Thank you,
Lisa

Dear Lisa,
If you are using hospice, the nurses should be able to give you some idea what to expect. I lost my husband about a year ago to this dread disease. God bless you and I'm sorry for the loss of your mother.
Carole

I'm sorry for your loss. I was wondering if you took care of him at home at the end. I am about to take this on (taking care of my ex husband) in his home so he will not be in a nursing home in his last days. Could you give me any advice on his care? I am and have been a cna (certifed nurseing aide) for close to 23 yrs, so I have been with others with this illness. Any advice would greatly help me. Thank you, Kathlene

I am seeking the same info as you. My mother was diagnosed in Jan with metastasized lung cancer to the liver and chest wall. They gave her 6 months 3 months ago. I am desperate to know how and when, maybe for a feeling of control. If you received any response to your question, could you forward it to me. I am sorry about your mother also.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. My husband was diagnosed in Nov, 2004 of stage IV lung cancer. He went through chemo and was told in April, 2005 that 90% was in remission. Now he is on his death bed so to speak. He can't walk anymore and I have Hospice taking care of him. The cancer is now in his liver which is causing his legs and feet to swell plus he has almost stopped eating. I'm like you and need to know more of what to expect. Any info you come up with, please pass my way and I'll do the same.

Sandy

Before my mom went on morphine, she and I agreed that I would not put her "away" in a hospice, and that she would die in my home. Her friends have called the local hospice and feel she should be booked in there. The sister phoned me and asked if the symptons were there but what symptons. She cannot hold herself up any longer and going to the loo (commode) is a problem. She is extremely weak. Do I break my promise to her and allow her to go to a hospice to be looked after. I have a night nurse and would get a day nurse if necessary.

Help..

Alison

I know where you are coming from. I have Hospice coming to my home to care for my husband. He wants to die at home and I will honor his wishes. Just in the last two weeks, he has completely stoped eating, drinks very little and sleeps all the time.

Hospice has been wonderful. They come by and check on him, plus they supply his medicine, which takes a big expense off of me. We all need to do what's best for the patient. Always try and honor their wishes if possible.

My husband underwent Head & Neck cancer treatment in 2003, and we thought we were through with it. After treatment he was a mere skelaton, but he bounced back incredibly. About 6 months ago he was diagnosed with metastesized tumors in his right lung. We are told nothing can be done other than chemo that may or may not slow it down, and he will start feeling the effects of this in about 6 months to a year. He is 55 years old and also lost his job of 20 years due to shut down. He started school to complete his education before this new diagnosis. He is refusing treatment until after he graduates in December. I am happy that he is finishing school, but worried about what will happen when it is over. He probably will not seek treatment, and it will be hard to find work. We live as though there is a terrible monster in the closet that we know is going to destroy us, but we act like life is normal in all other ways.

This is very hard to go through, and we have no idea what is down the short road ahead. Oddly, he never smoked, always ate the right things, and we are all mystified with this disease. I am at a loss as to where we are going with this.

My husband was diagnoised with small cell lung cancer October 17, 2005. He opted to lived out the remainder of his days whatever they may be the best he can and as pain free as possible.

I told him i would take care of him as best as I could without putting him in the N/home. My biggest problem with this is the fact that I work nights, yet I have no intentions of putting him in a nursing facility.

Right now he is donig pretty good,with the exception of a nagging cough, rapid weight lose, and generalized weakness.

Hi; I am very sorry to hear of your situation and was wondering if you may be able to help me.My father was told that he has lung cancer in his right lung and that it was collapsed.The left lung is only working at 30% capacity and therefore they can not operate. At that time the doctor said he would live 2-3 years.It has now been two years. He has undergone radiation but sleeps most of the time,eats very little and coughs up blood. The problem is that he will not let us go to the doctors with him and only tells us what he wants to. This is extremely hard on my mother and us girls. My question is, can we talk to the doctor about his condition without his permission. We really don't think that the radiation worked but he is not scheduled to see the doctor again until March 2006. The pain medication he was on is no longer working. I don't know what to do. Please help if you can.