New Here and Have Lots of Questions!

Hi everyone, I am hoping that someone here can help us to identify what questions we should be asking the doctors. My father in law was just diagnosed with lung cancer - I do not know what specific type. He is a very healthy 81 years old, he does not have any specific symptoms - the tumor was discovered through a routine chest xray. He has since had an MRI, a CT Scan and a Pet Scan. We are finding that my in laws have not asked a lot of questions, and I have a TON of questions. The dr is recommending surgery, and I am hoping to attend their appointment with him next week to see if I can get more information. I am hoping for some guidance as to what we should be asking - I would like to know: what are the other options besides surgery, what are the risks of surgery, what is the recovery going to be like given his age, how fast could it progress if they did not do surgery and just did radiation or some other medication? He is so very active - golfs, bowls, mows his own grass, etc. and we know that the surgery is going to set him back for a long time (the dr told him possibly 3-5 months). Does anyone have any other comments or suggestions? Thanks in advance for any help. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Darci - Surgery is the best option. Lung cancer cannot be cured but it can be removed surgically. Radiation and chemotherapy can shrink tumors but they will return eventually. Your father-in-law's doctor must think he is a good candidate or he would not recommend surgery. I felt great within a short time after my surgery. I took 4 rounds of chemo because my surgeon removed one lobe and did a wedge resection on the second lobe (my pulmonary function tests showed I was not a candidate for removal of 2 lobes). Make sure a pulmonary function test is done to insure his breathing function will not be too negatively affected; ask to see the PET scan (it will show you exactly where the tumor is); ask if the doctor expects him to remain on oxygen therapy 24/7 after the surgery. These are the only questions I can think of to ask right now. Most doctors are happy to discuss all options with the family. Hope this helps some... dotdot

Thank you for your response. I do know that they are doing a breathing test on him, because my MIL mentioned that. How long does the oxygen therapy usually last? Is it just in the few days after the surgery, or longer than that? I am going to their appointment with the surgeon, and am hoping to get a lot more information as to what is going on. Thanks again, you have been very helpful! Thankfully, our family has not had to go through this before, so it is all new to us. Darci

Darci - I was on oxygen approximately 4 weeks after surgery but I was able to taper the daytime use down and use it only while I was sleeping. About 6 weeks after my surgery I started chemotherapy (because of the wedge resection on one lobe and my thoracic surgeon scared the bejesus out of me). I took one treatment and another treatment 3 weeks later. Right after that, I was hospitalized with a fever that would go down and raise several times during the day - they finally decided I had pneumonia. I have been on oxygen ever since. I just want you to know that being on oxygen 24/7 is not that bad. I still do whatever I want to do - even washed the car one hot summer day attached to my oxygen. You just have to either push or carry the oxygen cannister around. Keep us informed about your father-in-law. I know you will have a much greater understanding after you have a chance to visit with his doctor. dotdot