Was just told 2 days ago, that my dad has small cell carcinoma. They found it in a lump that was taken off his arm, so I assume it is Extensive. My mom has been keeping me informed, so.....They have not yet told my dad because he was out of town, until today and he will see his doctor, tomorrow. he was told very basic info about having some sort of cancer, but not exactly what. The Dr is supposed to go into detail with him, tomorrow. My dad's always been extra healthy and noone expected this....He's always been larger than life, so to speak.
Can someone point me to some resources, etc? I'm sickened and saddened...I've been looking at the reports online of the low chance of this kind of cancer staying in remission, or any combo of radiation and chemo, being effective. Can someone help, pls? Maybe a site for this particular type of cancer? Or some sort of new research being done, or.......
YW - I absolutely wanted longer, but my dad was adamantly against narcotics - so I guess we were fortunate. He had ups and downs during the first four weeks, but that fifth week was amazing until Saturday. Saturday sucked rocks, he didn't even get dressed... he was obviously uncomfortable and a little bit out of his mind, talking to my mama, to his parents, and to his deceased son. He had some expressive aphasia and no appetite. He refused going to the hospital. He died at 2 Sunday morning.
All in all, given how painful lung cancer is supposed to be, we got off easy I think. He accomplished everything he had to do before he died, and I think that's what made his last week so great.
YW - I absolutely wanted longer, but my dad was adamantly against narcotics - so I guess we were fortunate. He had ups and downs during the first four weeks, but that fifth week was amazing until Saturday. Saturday sucked rocks, he didn't even get dressed... he was obviously uncomfortable and a little bit out of his mind, talking to my mama, to his parents, and to his deceased son. He had some expressive aphasia and no appetite. He refused going to the hospital. He died at 2 Sunday morning.
All in all, given how painful lung cancer is supposed to be, we got off easy I think. He accomplished everything he had to do before he died, and I think that's what made his last week so great.
I know it won't mean nearly as much as if it were from you deployed husband, but ((((((((((((( HUGS )))))))))))))). I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this alone. Hang in there, your allurses family is behind you and remembering you in their prayers.
Just a question...is it possible that your mother heard SQUAMOUS instead of SMALL? Asking, because yrs back, we lost my mom to a ruptured AA ANURYSEM (spelling never my strong suit)-when my Dad called from hsp, he said that my mom had had a ruptured EMBOLISM he then described the situation further, and I figured out..
I know it won't mean nearly as much as if it were from you deployed husband, but ((((((((((((( HUGS )))))))))))))). I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this alone. Hang in there, your allurses family is behind you and remembering you in their prayers.
Thanks, take2. Now I'm all teary, again.....I feel a little better knowing someone's in my corner and there's more than just one or 2 in my corner, right? smile.
You all have made me feel like for today, I can handle this. I'll think about tomorrow; tomorrow.
Just a question...is it possible that your mother heard SQUAMOUS instead of SMALL? Asking, because yrs back, we lost my mom to a ruptured AA ANURYSEM (spelling never my strong suit)-when my Dad called from hsp, he said that my mom had had a ruptured EMBOLISM he then described the situation further, and I figured out..
Thoughts and prayers with you...
"is it possible that your mother heard SQUAMOUS instead of SMALL?"
I sure hope so. I'm so sorry about your mom. Death sucks.
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
With my best friend's dad, it was slow then it was quick.
He had some precancerous stuff going on so everyone thought it was inevitable. He was officially diagnosed in late July or early August. He did some chemo, was all right for a few weeks (we knew it wasn't curable) then the night before his son's wedding, had to go to the hospital.
He didn't make the wedding, was discharged home with hospice on Monday, was talking but sleepy by Friday, then overnight he slowly slipped into a coma and died that afternoon without any signs of discomfort, and his family by his side (save his son, who was on his honeymoon - that wasn't a fun trip to the airport to pick the newlyweds up, letmetellya).
I pretty much let myself become the rock for their family. I ran to the grocery store, held hands, wiped tears (then bawled the entire drive home when I was finally by myself).
There have to be friends you can lean on who can become your rocks. I think in these situations, we need someone sort of removed from the emotions to be there.
And I would nearly swear that he "visited" me a few weeks later to thank me for being there. It could have been my mind playing tricks, but it made me feel better.
But...
let's not get ahead of ourselves. Find out what you can, as much as you can, about your dad's condition, then we'll take it from there.
I certainly will keep you guys updated. I believe they were going to take more from him, today while explaining exactly what kind of cancer he has, etc. They have already set him up with an oncologist, as well as either a CTscan or MRI, or maybe both, I'm not sure. I will only be told as much as my mom feels like telling me, so I am not exactly in control or anything of that...I could write a book on the dynamics of my family, so I will just have to leave you with the previous statement. Anyway, I THINK the tests they are going to do on Mon, will be back on Wed?? I'm not sure.
Camaronurse, I really hope that if he can't beat it, it will go as you and Steph have described...Quick and painless....
As all of you can imagine, I just feel so inept at what might be needing to be done, as well as the fact that I can't be there, right now. Erik will be home on Sat, so that will certainly help things a bit....We have 3 high needs adopted children, so I am trying to remain focused until he gets here, then I will give him a day or two to get settled...After that, I will take some greedy/selfish ME time, in solitude, probably somewhere in the campgrounds of the Huachuca Mountains, if my mom tells me not to come, yet.
All of you that have written to support me, will never know just how much it means to me. TY from the bottom of my heart.
With my best friend's dad, it was slow then it was quick.
He had some precancerous stuff going on so everyone thought it was inevitable. He was officially diagnosed in late July or early August. He did some chemo, was all right for a few weeks (we knew it wasn't curable) then the night before his son's wedding, had to go to the hospital.
He didn't make the wedding, was discharged home with hospice on Monday, was talking but sleepy by Friday, then overnight he slowly slipped into a coma and died that afternoon without any signs of discomfort, and his family by his side (save his son, who was on his honeymoon - that wasn't a fun trip to the airport to pick the newlyweds up, letmetellya).
I pretty much let myself become the rock for their family. I ran to the grocery store, held hands, wiped tears (then bawled the entire drive home when I was finally by myself).
There have to be friends you can lean on who can become your rocks. I think in these situations, we need someone sort of removed from the emotions to be there.
And I would nearly swear that he "visited" me a few weeks later to thank me for being there. It could have been my mind playing tricks, but it made me feel better.
But...
let's not get ahead of ourselves. Find out what you can, as much as you can, about your dad's condition, then we'll take it from there.
My dad goes in for surgery tomorrow morning. Mom says they will be finding out exactly what's going on inside, as well as removing more tissue from his arm. they also did the scan, etc today, but do not know anything yet.
My dad's a fighter, so maybe he will beat the odds.
Was just told 2 days ago, that my dad has small cell carcinoma. They found it in a lump that was taken off his arm, so I assume it is Extensive. My mom has been keeping me informed, so.....They have not yet told my dad because he was out of town, until today and he will see his doctor, tomorrow. he was told very basic info about having some sort of cancer, but not exactly what. The Dr is supposed to go into detail with him, tomorrow. My dad's always been extra healthy and noone expected this....He's always been larger than life, so to speak.
Can someone point me to some resources, etc? I'm sickened and saddened...I've been looking at the reports online of the low chance of this kind of cancer staying in remission, or any combo of radiation and chemo, being effective. Can someone help, pls? Maybe a site for this particular type of cancer? Or some sort of new research being done, or.......
SCSTxRN
258 Posts
YW - I absolutely wanted longer, but my dad was adamantly against narcotics - so I guess we were fortunate. He had ups and downs during the first four weeks, but that fifth week was amazing until Saturday. Saturday sucked rocks, he didn't even get dressed... he was obviously uncomfortable and a little bit out of his mind, talking to my mama, to his parents, and to his deceased son. He had some expressive aphasia and no appetite. He refused going to the hospital. He died at 2 Sunday morning.
All in all, given how painful lung cancer is supposed to be, we got off easy I think. He accomplished everything he had to do before he died, and I think that's what made his last week so great.
*hugs*
Steph