My dad was recently dx. w/ small cell ca of the lung, and I realized that ER and OR nursing has not prepared me for the questions that my family expects me to be able to answer.
What I need from you all is some information. Web sites, links, your personal experience w/ patients, anything. He is 62, in good health (except for this ca thing ) and is "limited". His oncologist thinks we have caught it early. He will start chemo and radiation next week. Drugs are Etoposide (VP-16), and Carboplatin. Surgery is not an option. What can the family expect in the coming months and what has been your experience with survival time from diagnois? What little I have read tells me that 2 years is considered "long term" survival. 2 years, it's all come down to just 2 years?
In the real world, not text book, what are we facing?
I think it's great that you are trying to find out information regarding your dad and his course of treatment. I have a few suggestions. First, speak to both parents about their wishes regarding health care -- such as power of attorney for health, living will, health care agent, etc. This is something that should be discussed with all our families -- better to do it BEFORE someone gets ill -- but the bottom line is that you want your dad's wishes followed. With all the HIPPA/privacy issues going on now, make certain that your father designates specific individuals that can be privy to his medical information. And designate ONE family member to contact the nurse, etc. -- and then have this family member share the information with the family. Make a list of questions you have regarding your dad's disease, treatment, etc. -- and then simply ask the doctor. And never forget that your dad is an "individual" -- every case is different. The doctors can do so much ... the nurses can do so much ... the treatment can do so much ... your dad can do so much ... then it's up to his body. I tell each patient (I care for many patients post-operatively after they have had either a lobe or a lung out.) It's one day at a time ...
Hang in there and enjoy your life/family. I wish my father were still alive.
susanmary
656 Posts
I think it's great that you are trying to find out information regarding your dad and his course of treatment. I have a few suggestions. First, speak to both parents about their wishes regarding health care -- such as power of attorney for health, living will, health care agent, etc. This is something that should be discussed with all our families -- better to do it BEFORE someone gets ill -- but the bottom line is that you want your dad's wishes followed. With all the HIPPA/privacy issues going on now, make certain that your father designates specific individuals that can be privy to his medical information. And designate ONE family member to contact the nurse, etc. -- and then have this family member share the information with the family. Make a list of questions you have regarding your dad's disease, treatment, etc. -- and then simply ask the doctor. And never forget that your dad is an "individual" -- every case is different. The doctors can do so much ... the nurses can do so much ... the treatment can do so much ... your dad can do so much ... then it's up to his body. I tell each patient (I care for many patients post-operatively after they have had either a lobe or a lung out.) It's one day at a time ...
Hang in there and enjoy your life/family. I wish my father were still alive.
Sue