Hi Everyone, I am new on here and came across this Board while researching. I live in Australia and my father has been diagnosed with cancer (although not actually directly) was told 90% chance it is and I am sure by the doctors comments that it is. He has a mass the size of a plum on his kidney and has now had a chest xray and told there is a mass the size of a marble on his lung. Also there appeared to be liver metastasis. The doctors only seemed worried about the chest xray and kept saying it didnt look good.
First we were told they would probably take the kidney out (this is the primary cancer) and now the consultants say they want a CT scan and if there are any more marks on the lungs they will not put him through an operation for the kidney. I take this to mean it has spread too much.
Also my father is 77 yrs old with a pacemaker and on coumadin and many other medications including antidepressants. In saying that the cardiologist said he was fit to have an operation if needed. Another problem is that he does not have health insurance and our health system is getting worse.
My worry is that I do not know what stage he is and at this point in time my father knows he has kidney cancer but is not sure exactly why they are doing the ct scan.
We have already waited 3-4 weeks and now told another 2-3 weeks for an appt for an emergency ct scan. I am very worried about the timing and not sure has long he has had this as his stomach is very distended and has difficulty breathing (this could also be due to his heart problems, not sure?).
I know I should not blame myself but as I am the one taking him to doctor's appts I feel I should have pushed for more tests earlier as he was always tired. He also has anaemia and osteoporosis.
Sorry for the long long winded msg (i think it is therapeutic for me) and thank you for letting me vent. Any help and information would be appreciated.
Dorrie