Give it to me straight how long does my mom have to live?

[Roland]

She is seventy two and a former long term smoker. She went to the doctor for "bronchitis" and he prescribed a round of antibiotics. These failed to resolve her condition and he sent her for a chest x-ray this last Wednesday. It revealed an anomaly near the apex of her left lung. She is to go in for a CT scan next Wednesday, but I suspect the the worst (she has shortness of breath, upper back pain which she has had for some time, and generalized weakness espcially upon exertion). I suspect something like small cell carcinoma with Horner's syndrome. How often do chest X-rays give a false positive for lung cancer? Also, why do you think the doctor hasn't ordered a biopsy or sputum cytology test (she has top of the line medical insurence)? Also, why do you think the doctor hasn't ordered additional antibiotics since she still exhibits signs of respirtory infection (without regard to cancer being present).

My mom is our primary child care provider for my two year old son and my wife is not keen on the idea of using any other day care provider(We are both full time BSN students making it on part time work and student loans). I'm trying to decide if I should notify school that I will be "suspending" my studies or if I should try to go at least one more semester.

[Q.]

Roland,

There isn't much that can be done until the results of the CT scan are known.

As far as the rest of your family situation, I think it's wise to think of possible scenarios, but ultimately, you may need another option for child care. I know daycare isn't always the best option, but there are reptuable places around. Does your college campus offer daycare? What about a nanny? If your mother's health is failing I'm not certain placing the burden of childcare on her is entirely fair. I'm also not sure that you working nights and watching your son during the day is good for you either. If one of you HAS to quit school, then whomever is closer to graduating could continue in school, or whomever has the highest earning potential at a job now could work full time. Just some options. But just take one day at a time.