Dad has small cell lung cancer

I’m new to all of this too but know just how churned up and alone you must feel . …really hope that some of the amazing people on here can reach out to you soon. My husband hasn’t been diagnosed yet but I’m dreading the future. Try to keep yourself well and keep occupied. My prayers are with both you and your dad. 

So sorry to hear you are going through this with your dad. My husband experienced small cell and how he felt from day to day varied a lot.

Sometimes wiped out,  sometimes 'normal', eating well and walking the dog etc.

I think that's how it can be as the consultant didn't seem surprised when we discussed it. I'm sure the chemo and radiotherapy affected him this way.

All you can do is be there for him and do something for yourself to give yourself a mental break. 

Keep in touch with your dad's nurse. They are very reassuring in our experience.

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your dad.

Maybe depression has a lot to do with how your dad has deteriorated.  I find oncologists who give a time limit on someone's life quite irresponsible as it can make people give up.  Are there no treatments,  i.e., chemotherapy, that he can have?

I have a friend who was diagnosed with SCLC back in August 2023, it was inoperable and incurable.  She did not want a time limit, she just wanted to get on with life whether short or long.  She was given emergency chemotherapy, just for palliative care and the chemotherapy completely shrank the tumour, she was subsequently given a two year course of immunotherapy.  She is now two years on and has been living her life normally.  Her last CT scan follow up in September showed disease progression as "stable" with no growth.

I too had lung cancer at the same time as my friend, but thankfully it was early stage NSCLC and a short course of SABR radiotherapy appears to have nipped it in the bud.

Please try and encourage your dad to get out of bed and ask your GP maybe for some antidepressants as his physical examination did not throw up anything suspicious and his breathing could be psychosomatic.  I think because your dad was given a time limit, he appears to have given up, he has probably adopted the attitude of "why bother", which is a shame and heart breaking for you.

Wishing your dad and you all the very best.

Ann 

I too have sclc , diagnosed terminal in 2022 , didn't ask how long , received 3 rounds of immunotherapy but my body couldn't cope so stopped in 2022 , carried on working till 2024 , then retired , my cancer is stable at the moment,  I'm not as fit as I was but I can take that , I'm 72 and hoping to see many years yet , so there is hope for us 

Well done you, how wonderful. Yes, there is hope for us all, I think having a positive mind set is important, hence why I think time limits given are wrong. None of us, whether dealing with cancer or not, know how long we have....enjoy life and live it while you can is my motto.  I'm 76 and have had cancer twice in my life, breast cancer 35 year's ago which had spread into my lymph glands and lung cancer in 2023. 

Best wishes, Ann

I’m so glad you and your friend have made I through. You are both very strong

my dad has had underlying medical conditions as well before this and before he was diagnosed he already used a walker and stuff to get about so they deemed him too weak for treatment. The oncologist gave an approximate time frame because my dad asked. I also spoke to the doctor regarding the whole “given up” thing. She said his body is most likely just slowing down as I told her my dad isn’t really one to quit things. 

I don’t know what the next few days will bring honestly as he doesn’t feel hungry anymore. Sleeps very deeply

thankyou for these words of encouragement and love though I really appreciate it. 

Hi

I'm so sorry about your dad, I didn't know about his previous medical history, and it's so sad he was deemed unfit for treatment.  If as you say the last couple of days he has slowed down and is not eating and going into deep sleeps, it does look like he is coming to the end, bless him. 

My heart truly goes out to you.  I have sat with a couple of people, both within six months of each other in the past who have passed with different cancers, and that was heart wrenching, but it must be so hard with it being your dad and so sad that you are alone in this. Please keep in touch, we are all here to support one another. Sending my love and a virtual hug.

Ann 

Hi Ann,

I agree with you 100%.  I don't know why doctors do that other then to protect themselves.  I was diagnosed with SCLC in July.  I finished four rounds of chemo.  The tumors shrank by about 75%.  I started Immunotherapy and I feel great.  I stay away from people who are depressing or want to pity me.  I tell everyone I will be just fine.  Some people go into remission after chemo and Immunotherapy.  I could be one of those too.  I went back to work a couple of days a week.  Her dad needs to get up and get busy.  I play board games to keep my mind busy.  His breathing may be psychosomatic.  I freak if I have a little cough since that is what sent me to the doctor in the first place.  Maybe her dad could travel somewhere for a weekend.  Just staying busy and keeping his mind off of the "c" word will help.

Hi Denton...this gives me so much encouragement to keep going.  I wish you the best!