My husband was diagnosed with non-small cell metastatic stage IV lung carcinoma two years ago. It had already metastisized to the thyroid, mediastinum and right hip and shoulder. He underwent radiation treatments daily (5 days a wk.) for 4 months. In this same period he also had his thyroid ablated with radioactive iodine. The left lung mass had shrunk considerably. A month after radiation was over he began chemo therapy receiving a type of Taxol and Carboplatin. The left lung mass grew larger and he developed fluid in his lung which filled the whole left lung putting pressure on the pericardium/heart. This was removed by thorententesis and the chemo was dc'd. A scan showed metastesis to the brain and he received 5 wks. of whole brain radiation for 3 tumors, one on the brain stem. He then began receiving a chemo called Alimta, which is rather new and specifically targeted to mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma. The first dose of Alimta was given on the same day as his last brain radiation treatment. The after effects of the Alimta was very serious, but 21 days later he received another dose of Alimta.
He has been so ill that he has not had any treatment at all for 2 months.
He shows signs of brain necrosis and I am unable to get him to the Cancer Center in Walla Walla, Wa. for an MRI. I am treating him with the meds. that have been prescibed plus vitamins.
I realize he has little time left, but I would like to know if sleeping most of the time and not being lucid much of the time is part of the symptoms of brain deterioration. He also suffers from a type of palsy and can't feed himself, is unable to walk very little. He has very little coordination. He does recognize people,and his surroundings, but communicates very little.
He is 6Ft. tall and I am 4' 11'' so I have problems handling him as I am alone here with the exception of Home Health twice a week and an aide who comes twice a week to bathe him.
He sometimes eats well (although very small amts.) and at other times he doesn't wish to eat at all. His vital signs are well within normal peramiters most of the time although he sometimes has a slight temp. at night which is just a spike and goes back to normal quickly. He is on 0/2 24/7 most of the time but does tolerate being off oxygen for short periods. He sometimes is able to sit in a wheelchair and can also sometimes get to the bathroom with help, but at other times he is unable to do both. I believe he is having small brain bleeds (which seem to mimic TIAs).
Jane/isis