Secondary eye cancer (lung cancer)

2010-12-10T16:05:48Z

Hello

A bit of an update. I have been spending a lot of time with my Dad which has been great and am soooo glad my sister and I have this precious time with him. The cancer has now spread to his eye; I spoke to MacMillan today and his nurse is going to call me on Monday as she is off until then. I was wondering if anyone has any experience/kmowledge on secondary eye cancer that has spread from the lungs. We noticed his eye looked funny back in November and we are waiting for him to have palliative radiotherapy to ease the symptoms. He saw his oncologist last week and was told he would be having the radiotherapy today. When I spoke to him earlier, Dad said he's not having it today and is waiting for the appointment. I have a abd feeling he won't be having it and is protecting my sister and I.

Does anyone know if the cancer has spread to the eye whether or not this means the end is near? I was told by his nurse we would be looking at 3/4 months from the middle of September. But, our Dad is fighting strong although I still have no idea what we can expect to happen....

Lauren x

Advanced lung cancer - honest advice needed

2010-10-01T12:59:26Z

Hello

I found out at the weekend my Dad's lung cancer can't be cured and that it has now spread beyond the lung. It is quite a difficult situation: we were estranged for twelve years (never my or my sister's choice) and the weekend was the first time I had seen him since I was 16. Secondly, I don't really think he is accepting the prognosis and because of the estrangement, I am not really in a position to start probing too deeply into his prognosis. If any body has any knowledge or advice on the following, I would really appreciate it:

His cancer is terminal and the cancer has spread from his lungs to his stomach and we suspect his spine.

He was meant to start chemo last week to stop the cancer spreading so quickly. He has told me his specialist/Oncologist (I'm assuming that is his type of specialist) has said he won't be having chemo now and that he is to go back to see the specialist in two months. My Dad has told us this is because he doesn't need chemo yet, I believe this is because it is now too late for chemo. Why would he wait two months when we already know it has spread Can anyone confirm whether or not this is the case?

I have asked my Dad what his prognosis is but says he doesn't know but he is well enough to wait for chemo for two months. I think he is in denial over how poorly he is.

He is 62 now and I have been told by a close friend he has deteriorated quickly. He has trouble walking now (his legs are very sore and he has permanently swollen feet, ankles joints etc).

He has smoked 60 a day for the last 45 years and is still smoking. His mother died of suspected smoking related lung cancer.

If anybody could give me honest advice on the chemo situation and any sort of indication how long he has left I would appreciate it, however bleak. I realise it differs from person to person, but I am at a loss of how to go about this. I have my own suspicion it isn't long, but my sister and I really would do with some sort of honest prognosis. My Dad doesn't want us speaking to his doctor and I have to respect his wishes. I will not push the subject, given the previous estrangemen, as I want to make the most of the time I have with him.

Sorry for the sob story, I just wanted to put this into context as it is a difficult situation. It is a very hard time but I need to know what to expect and I don't know who to speak to.

Best,

Lauren