Afternoon all,
I didn’t really know what title to give this post.
As a bit of a background, my Dad was diagnosed with SCLC at the end of June 2021, with spread on his Liver. He started 4 cycles of Etoposide and carboplatin with Atezolizumab (Immunotherapy) in July 2021. His Oncologist was pleased with his progress, really pleased with how well he still looked, although he didn’t deal with this diagnosis very well mentally. Fast forward to December, he was admitted to hospital with low sodium levels, which he had previously had and also they discovered slight spread to his brain. So, the week leading up to my wedding he started 5 cycles of Radiotherapy, he looked great at my wedding, he gave me away and did a lovely, yet very emotional speech. I was very proud.
The Oncologist took him off the Immunotherapy and he has now just had his second cycle of CAV chemotherapy, and it’s brutal. He’s lost his hair, he’s lost so much weight, he’s around 8.5 stone, not much energy but that tends to get better into the 2nd or 3rd week after his chemo but then back to square 1 as his next cycle starts.
He hasn’t dealt with this diagnosis very well, which I understand but he picked up a few months ago and seemed to be himself again. He is now very low, he has been on steroids which I think also effect his mood and understandably, he’s well and truly fed up of feeling like crap on a daily basis! He has suffered with constipation so sometimes he won’t eat too much because he thinks he will clog himself up, even though he has medication for that if he needs it. He’s very lost, he watches the TV but doesn’t really watch it, he just stares. He’s racked with guilt for what is going on at the moment, we are a very close family. He apologised constantly to my Mum because he snaps and then feels guilty, it’s not his character at all.
I just want to give him some positivity, he knows I use this forum alot but he’s not ready to come on here. He is seeing his Oncologist next Friday, my Mum is worried the treatment will stop because he’s lost weight, even though I’ve said it would be due to the chemo.
He just needs a different mind set, it’s been 1 week now since his second cycle, he has it on a Thursday. He had a shower this morning, but needed help, that frustrates him but he got dressed and had a visitor which would have taken his mind off things but he needs a boost.
Can anyone who’s been through CAV or living with SCLC pass any positive thoughts on to me that I can show him?
Thanks
Lucie x
Hi Lucie, I have searched the group to see if I could see anyone on CAV and I couldn’t find anything that was posted recently. There seems to be a lot of people in the group at the moment, who are just starting their treatment, and not so many people who have been through treatment.
Have you asked in the Family and friends forum to see if anyone there has had experience with this treatment as well.
Sorry I know it is frustrating when you don’t get the answer you are looking for. I know I have mentioned it before, but you can call the support line on 0808 808 00 00.
Your Dad does seem to be struggling, and I know you said he doesn’t feel like he can come into the forum, but I wonder if he would benefit from a
He will be matched up with a trained volunteer who will call him once a week. Might be worth talking to him about it.
Hope he is feeling better the weekend. Thinking of you and your Dad, sending hugs x
Hamhat that is very kind 
️
I am sure Lucie will appreciate talking to someone who is having the same treatment as her Dad. Although I have lung cancer myself, I haven’t had chemotherapy or immunotherapy so I can’t share my own experience.
This is a lovely group, I have been here for several years now, and glad to be part of such a supportive group. X
Thanks Chelle. I finally managed it and found the requests 
xx
