Fever and cough

My husband in July of 2008 was told he had RCC and had his right kidney removed.  Shortly after that in August he had a lung biopsy and we heard the news that yes he was stage IV due to the spread of his cancer.  Our last year has been one of many ups and downs due to mentaly working through living daily with cancer.  He has chosen not to do any treatments and feels everyone owes a death and he would rather have quality of life than side effects.

For the past year he has ran fever and now it has increased to daily.  Just the past three months he has started a dry cough upon any physicial movment or just sitting. The cough has increased and my husband sayes it is just sinus drainage, but he had never had this before now.   His weight has increased as he eats all and anything he wants because he feels that he needs to do this while he can. Don't get me wrong I will support my husbands decision in this and will continue to work each day to keep him as well and comfortable as I can.

My question is has anyone else had the daily increase of fever and coughs?  Not sure if the cough is a sign that the cancer is growing and affecting his lungs more.  This week he has had increase neck muscle pain.  Try not to think that every change he has is the cancer but without his williness to have a current CT or treatment I am flying blind in knowing what is happening.  In my heart I feel the cancer is progressing.

Any thoughts are knowledge would be appreciated.

TX Wife 

My husband has RCC with mets to the lungs. He was diagnosed in July2008 and surgery Sept. 2008. Has gone through many treatments and is now on chemo. Had a terrible cough and shortness of breath. Found fluid in his lung. Now has a denver catherer in his right lung which we drain daily. No more cough or shortness of breath. Your husband might have fluid. He will feel better if it is drained...good luck.

Thank you for the information. My husband does not choose to have anything done. Explained your information to him and he continues to say no. 

Sorry, you and your husband are living daily with this as each day is tough with the knowledge and on the other hand a blessing.  Good luck to the both of you.  Know you are glad he is fighting back.

TxWife

Hi TX,  I take care of my father-in-law. 73, so lots of problems.  He had COPD and emphasema before being dx with RCC, but now his cough has worsened, and just last night ran a temp of 100.  I, too, wonder what this is really a sign of.  We are due for a CT scan in a couple of weeks.  When we contact the doc, they just shrug like his symptoms are normal, unfortunately.  But when it is your loved one that you're seeing struggling to breathe, wheezing, and chilled (in Friendswood, Tx) it's very hard to take.  My heart goes out to you.

 I'm afraid that at some point my father-in-law will also refuse treatment.  His disease has already spread so much that the docs have basically said palliative care.  I am with him 24/7, and I know that it will get a lot worse.

Just because y'all are not seeking treatment, don't stop reaching out to people.  Being alone in this is awful.  Feel free to say anything, at least, to me.  Good luck.  Love is being sent your way.

My mother was coughing and getting short of breath and I felt deep down it was not the cancer.  The hospital did an x ray and said it was ok.  Two days later they called back and said it was pneumonia.  Come pick up a antibotic.  She was already on an antibotic.  I called the cancer center and talk with the NP there.  They ordered a CT.  It came back that her left lower lung had collasped.  They sent us to a Lung Specialist who wanted to do a bronc.  Did the bronc.  It turned out that mucus had clogged the lower part of her lung.  The cleaned it out and she was breathing much better.  Two months later, no breathing problems, but cancer doctors were doing a routine CT and found another blockage.  Another bronc.  This time the stuff blocking a portion of her lower lung was pneumonia and a bacteria.  Gave her 7 day of antibotic and told her to do nebulizer treatments 3 times a day to help get the stuff out of her.  She has been good since.  Sometimes our body needs a little help. 

Maybe if your husband realizes that everything is not always because of cancer he might listen. 

Hope this helps in some way.

 

 

Beintexas,

Sorry, to hear that your father-in-law is going through this, but glad he has you.  Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.  My husband continues to run 101.5 to 103 fevers, cough, and increase fatigue.  Glad he is able to be up and round on his on.  Hopefully, we have many years to go.  Try to encourage him daily and keep us busy but not always easy. 

Wish you and your family the very best.  You will be in my prayers.  Know how hard it is to live daily with cancer.

Best wishes

Tx wife

Thank you for your response.  You are correct about the body could have something else going on beside cancer.  My husband just refuses to go to the doctor for anything right now.  Trying to be supportive along with letting him make this decision as I have learned when it is his idea things go better. 

So sorry, you and your family are going through the pain of cancer.  You will be in my prayers.

Txwife

Txwife,

How're y'all doing?  We're trying to stay positive and find anything to laugh at.  Of course, once I make my patient laugh, he coughs terribly, then I feel bad for making him laugh.  He doesn't mind, though, always gives me a smile.

My father-in-law's fever disappeared after I threatened to bring him to the doctor haha. Unfortunately his appetite has disappeared, too.  The only thing I can get him to eat is Ensure milkshakes with ice cream.  He's not due to see a doctor for two more weeks, and I can see he's visibly weaker and losing weight.

He is on Afinitor.  He doesn't complain of nausea or mouth sores, just won't eat.  I don't know what to do.  I've tried everything from mashed potatoes to scrambled eggs to french toast.  It seems like a consistency thing.  The thickness of a milkshake is just right.

Looking for suggestions.

Bexintexas

Bexintexas,

How are you doing?  How is your father-in-law doing?  Hopefully better this week.

We went to the doctor today for the regular checkup on his B/P and to get the B/P prescription.  My husband does have a cough, fever, and swelling now but once again refused to have a CT, X-ray and now labs done.  He truly does not want to know where he stands.  Here we are 15 months after the start of this journey and I have no true answers as to when or what will happen next.  Many have tried so many things when my husband will not.  Supporting his decision but hard to live with daily.  Just feel sad and alone tonight as he now does not want to talk about RCC and have noticed that he is quieter about most things.  Now the anger has come and this one tries to understand also but in hopes that he will get through this stage and not continue to increase this anger.  Hard to know what to say or do anymore.  Know he has so much going through his head and do not walk in his shoes. 

Please keep us in your prayers as I truly know that God has a plan and will see us through the next stage.  Do not know if it is better to know or not. 

Thanks for listening,

Txwife