Question:
My dad had to have fluid removed again from around his lung. While he was in the hospital the dr said that he has small cell lung cancer. His prognosis is good. They caught it in time and it hasn't spread. They said that the cancer should go away with one chemo group (sessions). He goes to the oncologist tomorrow to start the chemo process. Please continue to pray for us we need all the prayers we can get. Thanks again for reading!
Answer:
So So sorry to hear what your family is going through. As my husband's caregiver, I can vouch for the rollercoaster ride thing and sometimes those vertical drops can catch you completely off-guard. One thing I have learned throughout this journey is that you can never ever predict. One day everything can be just fine, and just as quickly....CRASH! Jeanie put it very well, one day at a time. When we first started, I was also anxious and searching for answers, solutions, I scoured the cancer sites of various universities, looked for new break-through treatments, and realized that even where we live, these new treatments are available, just not always appropriate for all types of LC. My husband's treatments varied between success and failure. And, now there is nothing left for him. But, the Lord was good to us. We thought we were going to lose him before last Christmas, and he rallied and eventually went back into remission. We had another year together. I just never realized how fast a year goes by. One day, a couple of months ago, Bud said..."I can't wait until the weather turns cool again so we can go camping". Silently, I thought to myself that that would mean two months less time left with him. Now, here is the cool weather he wished for, and he cannot even step outside onto our little patio to enjoy the fresh air, much less go camping. Hospice hopes that once his pain is under control, he will feel more like eating and drinking and possibly gain a bit of strength, enough to be able to do something else besides sleep all day, and lay around on the couch.
If your dad is in a lot of pain, he doesn't need to be and there are lots and lots of pain meds out there that they can try on him. If he is still in the pain-free state (and many here will attest that their loved one still is pain free) that's wonderful and he will feel like doing more. Enjoy life, embrace it, make lots and lots of memories. I find myself going back to 3 yrs ago, when we first started dating and how much fun it was. Bud has a unique, dry sense of humor, but he can leave you in stitches. We met on Match.com. As he was trying to use the portable urinal at the hospital last Sun, hooked up to oxygen, and wearing one of those gawd-awful hospital gowns, he looked at me and said "now THIS is the picture I should have put on my profile"....and I couldn't help but crack-up....yep, can see it now.
You will find yourself gaining strengths you never knew you had. Patience is a virtue, and with cancer, there is a lot of waiting that one goes through. My youngest step-daughter is very emotional also and we also have found ourselves telling her things last because she just falls apart. I know this really hurt her, and from the bottom of my heart, I promised her that I would do it diplomatically from now on. Phone calls are made in alphabetical order by first name. She is second on the list now.
So, hang in there, come here and vent. We all try to help eachother out. Some of us have been here is seems like forever and have seen a lot. We are always happy to lend a shoulder, a willing keyboard.
Take care,
Jan