What to expect next

My father went to the emergency on feb 3, 2009 due to a sciatica nerve pain but then was diagnose with advanved stage iv renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). They also indicate that it has spread to the lungs and liver. The tumor size is 8"X5" on his left kidney. They have done CT SCAN, MRI, BONE SCAN, and BIOPSY. They have him on 10 radiation treatment  which started on feb 12, 2009. They will also start him on chemotherapy pill, waiting for approval as we speak. He was discharged from the hospital on Feb 13, 2009 only to be re-admitted on Feb 23 to the emergency due to not able to breath. They have done a blood test and it shows his oxygen level is low enough for oxygen therapy. As of today, March 1, 2009, the doctor has him on antibiotic for an infection in his lungs and he's also starting to have pneumonia. He is currently on oxygen with Saline IV and antibiotics (levofloxacin). Can someone please tell me what to expect and what to do or ask for in his situation? I have sisters and brothers and other relatives not close by.... I want to know if I need to tell them to come home now and spend the last few days, months or so.

 

On 3/1/2009 Ngocdiep wrote:

My father went to the emergency on feb 3, 2009 due to a sciatica nerve pain but then was diagnose with advanved stage iv renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). They also indicate that it has spread to the lungs and liver. The tumor size is 8"X5" on his left kidney. They have done CT SCAN, MRI, BONE SCAN, and BIOPSY. They have him on 10 radiation treatment  which started on feb 12, 2009. They will also start him on chemotherapy pill, waiting for approval as we speak. He was discharged from the hospital on Feb 13, 2009 only to be re-admitted on Feb 23 to the emergency due to not able to breath. They have done a blood test and it shows his oxygen level is low enough for oxygen therapy. As of today, March 1, 2009, the doctor has him on antibiotic for an infection in his lungs and he's also starting to have pneumonia. He is currently on oxygen with Saline IV and antibiotics (levofloxacin). Can someone please tell me what to expect and what to do or ask for in his situation? I have sisters and brothers and other relatives not close by.... I want to know if I need to tell them to come home now and spend the last few days, months or so.

Hello:

Do not give up hope. I am not an Oncologist and can not give you medical advise, but there have been recent advances in renal cell carcinoma treatment that previously were not available just a few years ago.

It would be good that relatives give him emotional and spiritual support. Although to my understanding, it is very difficult to cure stage IV renal cell carcinoma, with current treatments, life extension is possible.

Make sure the doctors he is seeing have experience treating renal cell carcinoma. A major cancer treatment center is a good bet.

I was once told that living with cancer is learning to "live with hope and uncertainty". Stay positive for your fathers sake.

Good luck and God Bless:

Krys

 

Hello:

Don't forget to consider what your dad wants.  While relatives can indeed offer great emotional and moral support, sometimes visits can be a big burden for a patient who really doesn't feel well and needs all their strength and energy to be devoted to getting better.

Keeping that in mind, I would let people know that he is ill - tell them what you've told us - that he's pretty sick right now, that he's getting treatment, and that until he's had time to fight the infection there isn't much else to report. Also tell them that he either does or doesn't want visitors according to what he says, and ask them to respect his wishes.

Once family and friends are informed they can make their own decisions about making the trip, or choosing to check in via phone, email, etc.   Don't be afraid to tell them about other things they can do to help, so that you aren't left shouldering this task all alone.

Make a list of questions for the drs, too.  Doesn't have to be fancy questions - just when a question comes to your mind, write it down, and ask the dr when you see him/her.  And write the answers down, too - that way you won't be overwhelmed by stress.

Sincerely,

Tre

I would let your family know what is going on. They may be able to help you out. I know what it is like. I was my fathers caregiver and it would have been nice for my other siblings to help me out.   Also if you are going to be his caregiver arm yourself with as much info as you can. The internet has so much info about what is happing to your dad. It gives you an advantage about knowing what is going on. You will also understand what the doctors are talking about and then you can look it up in farther detail.  

I just want to informed everyone that all family members now know about my father situation. As of today, my father has been on Sutent for 18 days. He seems to be improving but it seems to be too soon to say. In his situation, advanced stage IV kidney cancer, does anyone know the success rate on sutent?