Cancer Tumor Is Wraped Around My Dads Heart

2 weeks ago my dad was told he has lung cancer. the cancerous tumor was wrapped around his heart. they have started him on Chemo and radiation in hopes to shrink the tumor so they can do surgery and remove it. So far the cancer has not spread anywhere else, thank god. I have been so upset after finding out about his cancer and so is the rest of the family. My dad said He doesn't feel like he's going to die but live. all of us believe him,but we are still very scared. the doctor's have said if the chemo and radiation dosen't shrink ot that there is nothing more they will be able to do for him. anyone out there with some tip's or suggestion's???

I too have lung cancer that includes the heart, spine and thorax. I was told my cancer is not operatable and was put on radiation (36 treatments) and chemo (weekly treatments of taxol) for five weeks. After this treatment I received nothing for six weeks in order to allow dead cancer cells to be removed from my body. A CT scan indicates that my tumor is reduced by 50%. Last Monday I started chemo of taxol (350 mg) and carboplatin (450 mg).

My wife is an RN at the hospital where I receive treatment. I truly trust all my docs to be straight with me. But they do not give false promise. There are a number of Phase III trials that look good. I'm sure by now you have discovered Tarceva, Avastin, and there are a number of multi-tasking drugs primarily for kidney cancers that also show promise for those of us will lung cancer, but will they come in time? When God is ready I am ready... but like you ...my family is not ready to let me go. Please know that your father is in my prayers. Since December 2004 I've seen prayer work. I believe in it. God Bless you and yours.

God Bless you. I'm sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis, but know that there is hope out there. Have you heard of CyberKnife? It's a non-invasive, painless computer/robot aided procedure to treat previously "inoperable" tumors Treats tumors all over the head and body. The Web site is:
http://www.cksociety.org/index.asp

Good Luck.

Thank-you for the reply. Yes, I have heard of CyberKnife. The hospital I receive treatment at has one that was just installed this past month. We are told that it will be another three weeks before it is operational. I'm not sure of the experience of the docs or technicians who will be operating the system. Next week I'll explore with my onocolgist if I am eligible for treatment with this new system.
Thank-you for your prayers. You and your dad are in ours. God Bless...

Dear cpouscgret,
Thank-you so much for your re-ply. I printed it off and both of my parent's will read it. You have given much hope in just what you said in your re-ply to me. I want to share something a lady in Toledo hosp. told me when we found out about my dad's cancer. She said that her mother had cancer in ALL of her lyp nodes they(the doctor's) gave her a 30% chance of life. the lady said that was over 10year's ago and her mother is now cancer free.
so you are so right about when god is ready for you than you will be ready. But the people around that LOVE YOU are not ready to let go. Put up a good fight and keep your attitude strong!!!! and know that I myself and the rest of my family will be praying for you and your family. I do believe you when you said prayer work's. Please keep in contact about your progress. And I will do likewise.
GOD BLESS YOU!!!
and FAMILY!
P.S.The thought of losing my dad overwelm's me.I'm sure your family feel's the same. thank-you for re-plying

Please keep the faith!
In Oct. 2002, my 67 year old mother was diagnosed with stage 3 NSCLC with a tumor the size of a small peach wrapped around her pulmonary artery against her heart. The wonderful doctors in Pittsburgh proceeded with an aggressive regiman of chemo and radiation with the hopes of shrinking the tumor enough to operate. After 5 weeks of chemo and radiation, her tumor shrunk to the size of a raisin, and Doctors removed her upper right lung and performed reconstructive surgery to her Bronchi. I am thrilled to report that 2 years later, my mother is cancer free and doing fantastic. Although with lung cancer the news is usually grim, I am amazed with what technology can do and am thankful for any extra time we have with her. So please keep the faith and keep your Dad's spirits up, because I think that is half the battle.
Your Family is in my Prayers!
Leslie

I was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC. My tumor had also wrapped around my heart. I had surgery which removed the upper third of my left lung, followed by Chemotherapy. After the Chemotherapy, my PET/CT scan indicated no sign of cancer. Subsequent PET/CT scans have indicated that the cancer has returned and I am now on Tarceva. The Tarceva appears to be shrinking the cancer. The good news is that I was diagnosed in October 2003 and I am still in relatively good health. I am still able to SCUBA dive, ski and participate in any athletic activities I choose.

Dear Cpouscgret,
The Doc's have said that my dad's tumor that is wrapped around his heart is slow growing and they said it was the type the doesn't spread. I thought that was good. But the Doc's also told my dad that it would be hard to shrink it. Have you ever heard of a tumor that with all the radiation and chemo given will not help it to shrink?
my mom told me to tell you that dad is receiving Chemo 1 time a week for about 3 hour's and radiation everyday for 5 minutes he get's a break from it on weekend's. My brother who is helping drive him to his appt. said that he will get 28 more session's of Chemo. If the tumor doesn't shrink at all then they are not going to operate since it's on the heart. If it doesn't shrink and they can't do surgery than what other option's would he have.
also my mom said he hasn't gotton sick yet and he still has all his hair. Is it possible to go through Chemo and radiation without getting sick and losing your hair.I'm not really sure what med's they are giving dad,but I will ask my mom. I haven't heard about Tarceva or Avastin what are they and what do they do? would it be something dad should ask the doctor about? My brother has been reading alot of book's at the hosp. where our dad is getting treatment's and I get the impression that he think's that tumor isn't going to shrink. what do you think of all this?I know my brother is TIRED and scared.Bless his heart. any advice I could give him?
How are you doing so far since ALL your treatment's?I pray everything turn's out good for you. It must really help you that your wife is a nurse where you get your treatment's. It makes the bond even closer. I have been praying for you and your family since you repleyd to me and I will continue.
God Bless you!
Bye

Thank-you for your re-ply,
I havn't heard about cyberknife. If the doctor's won't do the surgery if the tumor doesn't shrink can the cyberknife do it? I know all surgery's are risky anyway. But if the doctor's won't touch the tumor would they allow for the cyber knife? thank-you. and God bless you!!

Leslie.R.
thank-you for your re-ply it gave me strength and hope for my dad. I'm so happy everything worked out great for your mom. I'm sure it was tough her dealing with the cancer. But she now is a surviver!!!and is able to give positive hope for my family and other's as well. I pray for the best for my dad but I just can't stop worrying and being scared. I know my dad is scared.even though he tell's me he's not. But he's brave and Tough. I just pray god will give him a chance and to become cancer free. I would like to have him around alot longer. And when his time comes that it's not cancer that it's something fast and painless.
Just the thought of watching him die slowly..I don't even like the thought of that or even saying it. but one thing is for sure..I HATE CANCER!! I pray god will be merceyful on my dad and spare his life just this once.