Dad Lung Cancer

Hi Ms Fraser

I don't have any experience with this treatment, I do have lung cancer but never had to have it drained, however may I suggest you speak to the consultant or nurse specialist if your dad has been allocated a nurse. I think I would be asking some questions around what they can do for the collapsed lung and how they could possibly drain the fluid and what do they mean when they say think about palliative care options. Ask if they have a palliative care team at the hospital who your dad could speak to, or try speaking to his GP, or you could try ringing Macmillan helping 0808 808 0000. All of these people are there to help and from your post on this forum it appears to me your dad could do with some help and support right now.

I sorry my response is not more productive and I feel sorry that you and you dad are having to go through this without being given any constructive support and advice.

Good luck always happy to chat if it would help you don't have to do this alone.

Donna

Hi, deeply sorry to hear this. My dad also has lung cancer and we are trying to sort palletive care out too. I'll be honest, it's a battle and it most certainly shouldn't be. After 2 palletive referrals from different departments we are still no further forward. The cancer has spread to his bones and most days he's in great pain and feels constantly sick. I also have no idea how to sort a hospice out or what's next when his mobility declines :( good luck x 

My dad had same experience . Spend as much time as possible with him . Xx. Don’t take anything for granted  xx

My close friend was diagnosed with advanced small cell lung cancer three month's ago, she was diagnosed after visiting A&E with inability to breathe when walking.  She was found to have a fluid filled left lung with partial collapse of the upper lobe. She was given the horrible news that it is life limiting and that the only option was palliative care, this would make her more comfortable and stop the tumour pressing on her organs.  She has now had three cycles of chemotherapy, intravenous and in tablet form to take at home. 

The response has been wonderful, within days of the first cycle of chemotherapy she could breathe, she could speak without croaking and was back walking again without problems.  She has her last cycle this Friday (tomorrow) and a CT scan to see how the chemotherapy is working.  If the chemotherapy has stopped the progression and she is doing well, the MDT will discuss if further treatment can be given.  She knows this treatment is not a cure, but it can extend life and make daily living more comfortable.

I would encourage your dad to go down this route, as it has been offered as an option, it will make his life will more comfortable.  My friend was in your dad's position three month's ago, but the change in her has been dramatic.

Please let everyone know how your dad gets on.

Ann

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Thank you very much for what you have shared- I appreciate your message. 

• Hi my Dad was diagnosed 6 weeks ago with stage 4 lung cancer, he also has early stage dementia which makes it hard for him to remember as his short term memory isn’t good. We have opted for no treatment-chemo etc but he is on steroids. He is in the local hospital and is comfortable but they are now talking of discharging him and I am absolutely terrified. The tumour is attached to his main artery and it has been explained how awful it could be. I don’t understand why they can’t keep him comfortable in the local hospital? I don’t know what to do, he doesn’t want to go into a care home. Just need help and advice. Please help! 

Ahh bless him, dementia is another cruel disease. Have you looked into a hospice for him? Things have changed drastically with my dad. It has spread to the kidneys and now has multiple brain metastases s and has lost sight in 1 eye. He is getting confused and angry with the world and is slurring his speech, it breaks my heart seeing him deteriate so fast and yet I am still battling to sort a hospital/carers. I don't like the idea of him being at home on his own but there is nothing I can do. That's where he wants to be and I can't change his mind. Morphine and steroids are keeping him going at the moment but he's like a different person on them 

Hi Ms Fraser. I also have recently found out my dad had been diagnosed with double lung cancer. He’s been told that it’s not able to be operated on due and the chemo will be to help prolong his time only. 

i have yet to speak openly or express emotion about this and only today after 4 weeks have been able to build up the courage to visit him, which showed me just how much he had changed in a short space of time. I spent time researching palatine care options, which I’ve found are not just for end of life but don’t know how to bring this up with my dad myself. 

firstly, Thankyou for giving me the confidence to be able to get this off my chest, knowing that I am not alone facing the inevitable /!; I hope that you and your family find the most peace together to look after everybody involved. 

secondly, palatine care teams are there from start to finish and I feel the biggest boundary and line to cross is the first stage of accepting what is going on. I have today been able to do this and feel that it will only allow me to be more acceptive and acknowledge able of what is going on as time comes also. 

Thankyou for your time and best wishes.