Has anyone any advice

Hi my 80 year old mother had just been diagnosed with stage 2 adencarcomo lung cancer.  She has been sent home from hospital and told she isnt fit for an operation and radiotherapy would make her very sick and chemo would also.

 We are devastated as we just think she has been sent home to die.  The doctor said she can get around on her zimmer frame and to enjoy the rest of her life.  She has not lost weight, she is eating really well but her mood is just hopeless.

 I feel there is no help out there and because of her age they are forgetting about her.  It is a lump in her lung and her top gland is swollen.

 She went through an 11 hour heart operation 2 years ago when she was 78 and her right lung has never been the same since.  She had a valve replacement and a repair to her aeorta.  Surely surgery would help her before it gets worse.

 What can we expect or is there any other hope or help we can give her.

Mel

First thing I would do is get another opinion. 

Ask them about the newer targeted therapies like Tarceva which is chemo in pill form and a lot less side effects compared to IV chemo. 

Also ask about the newer radiation TomoTherapy.  It is radiation therapy that targets only the tumor and a small amout of surrounding tissue.  Not like the old radiation treatments.  Virtually no side effects with the stereotactic radiation.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

God Bless 

 

 

Hi there,

I am so sorry to hear about your mom.  I am also caring for someone with lung cancer.  Due to your mom's age, let her be comfortable, don't put her through the treatments which would cause the quality of her life to be absolutely terrible at this point.  I would suggest an anti-anxiety prescription to make her days better and her out look brighter.  When a person hears the word "Cancer", they feel completely alone no matter who is around them.  If you decide to go with chemo, I would advise a mild regiment for pain prevention if needed.

Bev

 

Thank you so much for your advice and when we see the oncologist its good to have these things to ask about.

 God Bless

 

Hello

 Thanks for you reply.  That is the thing she has no pain yet, no weight loss just a bit of breathlessness.  They talked about therapy and pallative care later on but I just cant believe that they cant do anything.

 Its completely my mums decision and I would hate to see her going through any sickness etc with treatment and I dont think she could cope with that but when you think of it she is going to get all that towards the end isnt she?  You just feel so helpless.  I will pray for you and hope life gets easier for you.  Thanks for replying.

 

 

Sorry to hear about your Mom:   both you and she have issues with this.   Excellent advice to get 2nd opinion.   That will help you with decisions, give more confidence.    We don't live forever and surely your mother would just like to enjoy the rest of her days if something like Tarceva cannot be gentle with her.    I do know that major cancer centers with specialists who know all the latest will give you those 2nd opinions:   SCCA in Seattle, M.D. Anderson in Houston, etc.   Just look them up on line and contact them.  They'll do it quickly when your records from current encologist is sent.    I just did a 2nd opinion because of reading Lance Armstrong's encouragement to do so and insurance covered it.  It was valuable in confirmation that we are doing the right thing and we learned a few new things.   I was not dissatisfied with my current treatment and my Dr. said any encologist who resents a 2nd opinion is not worth much.    Right before starting all this cancer treatment about 1 year ago, I had read "The Shack" about a guy who was mad at God over some terrible circumstances.   God invited the man to the shack for the weekend so they could talk and the man could understand God  Mission accomplished.   And I now can just talk to God and realize He is in control.  I've turned it over to him and it's a great relief.   Either going to heaven or staying here, whatever God has planned.    Heaven is a beautiful place!  but I need help in being willing to leave my family.

 

On 7/11/2009 Mel20 wrote:

Hi my 80 year old mother had just been diagnosed with stage 2 adencarcomo lung cancer.  She has been sent home from hospital and told she isnt fit for an operation and radiotherapy would make her very sick and chemo would also.

 We are devastated as we just think she has been sent home to die.  The doctor said she can get around on her zimmer frame and to enjoy the rest of her life.  She has not lost weight, she is eating really well but her mood is just hopeless.

 I feel there is no help out there and because of her age they are forgetting about her.  It is a lump in her lung and her top gland is swollen.

 She went through an 11 hour heart operation 2 years ago when she was 78 and her right lung has never been the same since.  She had a valve replacement and a repair to her aeorta.  Surely surgery would help her before it gets worse.

 What can we expect or is there any other hope or help we can give her.

Mel

Second response from me after reading this:    I was put on Tarceva as first line of treatment because of clincial trial availability.   Usually they must use Tarceva as a 2nd treatment.    I have Stage IV lung cancer, meaning it has spread away from the lung and who know where else.    There were almost no side effects and I would think your encologist could find some way for your mother to get on that if she wished.   It shrunk all tumors to almost nothing within 4 weeks.  I'm only 65 and very healthy otherwise, but I would think this would still be an option for someone 80 since she's feeling so well and has only the Stage 2.   Maybe they won't give this to Stage 2?????.    

 

 

On 7/13/2009 nevah wrote:

 

On 7/11/2009 Mel20 wrote:

Hi my 80 year old mother had just been diagnosed with stage 2 adencarcomo lung cancer.  She has been sent home from hospital and told she isnt fit for an operation and radiotherapy would make her very sick and chemo would also.

 We are devastated as we just think she has been sent home to die.  The doctor said she can get around on her zimmer frame and to enjoy the rest of her life.  She has not lost weight, she is eating really well but her mood is just hopeless.

 I feel there is no help out there and because of her age they are forgetting about her.  It is a lump in her lung and her top gland is swollen.

 She went through an 11 hour heart operation 2 years ago when she was 78 and her right lung has never been the same since.  She had a valve replacement and a repair to her aeorta.  Surely surgery would help her before it gets worse.

 What can we expect or is there any other hope or help we can give her.

Mel

Second response from me after reading this:    I was put on Tarceva as first line of treatment because of clincial trial availability.   Usually they must use Tarceva as a 2nd treatment.    I have Stage IV lung cancer, meaning it has spread away from the lung and who know where else.    There were almost no side effects and I would think your encologist could find some way for your mother to get on that if she wished.   It shrunk all tumors to almost nothing within 4 weeks.  I'm only 65 and very healthy otherwise, but I would think this would still be an option for someone 80 since she's feeling so well and has only the Stage 2.   Maybe they won't give this to Stage 2?????.    

 

Hello

I have just read your answer and thank you very much.  I have since posted another question on the message board saying the first doctor told my mother she has stage 2 when in fact she only has stage 1 and they found it by accident.

Since that last time she is now over the last 2 weeks experiencing pain and the GP as put her on Oxycontin six times a day and Oxynorm 4 times a day but it is completely doping her.  I know she would hate this as she likes to stay lucid and would be really angry.  We are getting her oncologist appointment brought forward to next week and I will mention this drug you say called Tarceva.

Thank you so much and I hope you are keeping well and continue to do so for a long time.

Mel