My Mom, who smoked for 50 years and quit 3 years ago after a heart attack was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. It has only been 18 days and she has already had radiation treatments and chemo. She is very sick now and has no platelets.

I understand the prognosis is not good. My parents either don't know or haven't accepted it.

I am a total basketcase. They live 4 hours away and I'm having a terrible time keeping my mind on work during the week. I've been going to them on the week-ends.

Any words of wisdom?

How did you cope?

Kojowms

kojowms- I wish I had some words of wisdom for you. All I can do is offer understanding, and support if you need it. I lost my husband to small cell lung cancer, 4 months ago today. There are so many ups and downs along the way, you will often wonder "how can I do this". It is amazing what we can do for those we love. All of the strength you need along the way will come naturally. On days when you feel like you can not make it, come here. For me, this was my outlet during my husband's illness. This was my place for strength, encouragemnt, compassion and understanding. And, I hope we can all be here for you as well.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Renee

My dad just recently had a major heart attack and then a multiple coronary artery bypass graft. Now there is a fear of lung cancer although he is sure the chest xray is distorted from scars from TB when in the Air Force in the early 1950s. How do you cope? I dont know. He is 7 or 8 hours away. I have been calling him frequently and he is coming to visit next week. This whole thing is like a return of my moms death 15 years ago from cancer. The hospitals, the oncologist group etc. I think the American Cancer Society has support groups, at least they did in the big city I lived in.

She is still hospitalized and has been since diagnosis. She'll have to get a LOT
better in order to be in the hospital bed at home.

They couldn't place the pic line in her arm - they placed it yesterday in her groin.

We are hoping and praying her body doesn't reject the platelets and blood she got yesterday.

Last week-end her blood pressure got down to 40/10. She had bacteria in her blood.

A part of me is angry with her for smoking for 50 years. I know she didn't ask for or deserve this...but...it didn't have to happen.

I ask people to pray for her...yet I am unable to pray myself.

kojowms

I am so sorry to hear this, I do hope she gets well enough to go home. I will continue to pray for her and for you and your family. I hope you will be able to pray as well, even when you don't feel like it, even when you are in agony, even when its through clenched teeth of rage, even when you feel no one is listening. He is, and He is crying with you. He does understand the pain we all go through. Prayer is our closest connection to God, here on earth.

Renee

Most of what I know about Small Cell Lung Cancer I've learned on the web. My Mom has now been in the hospital since December 26 and we got the diagnosis on January 1st. Last week-end she had a bacterial infection in her blood. At one point her blood pressure was down to 40/10. We almost lost her.

I know she has extended stage.

I want answers to so many questions but hesitate to ask anything. My Dad is still in shock. He and my Mom have been together almost 50 years.

Will she get any better at all??

How bluntly can I ask questions of the doctors? What will they think of this bluntness?

I learned, it is best to ask blunt questions. They doctores may not always tell you as much detail as you wish, but you will get more by being blunt. By all means, ask anything of them that you want to know.

Renee

HI

Be angry at the cancer. But, try not to be angry with her. 50 years ago, people didn't know about the link between cancer and smoking. Even 30 years ago they were just starting to talk about it.

Even with that, there are no guarantees that she wouldn't have gotten the cancer anyway.

There is a new med out there that increases blood volume, I can't remember the name, though.

Hopefully, they will move quickly on this blood infection with antibiotics, and allow her to gain some strength.

Hugs

shadowrose is right- Please try not to be angry with your Mother. when she started smoking, the link between lung cancer/smoking was not know like it is now. Nobody smokes and says "I don't care if I get cancer, i am gonna smoke anyways". It is a VERY hard habit to quit, trust me! I watched my husband die from cancer, I cared for him for 9 months. But guess what, I STILL smoke! Yep, stupid, I know. But liek I said, it is a hard habit to quit. especially when you are an emotional smoker like me. By that I mean, I get angry, upset, depressed, anxious, I smoke... I am trying to quit, but it is hard! As a matter of fact, I have an appointment with my doctor today, becuase I need help quitting, it is not something I can just quit on my own. Call me weak (I am) but that is the truth.

Be angry at the cancer, nothing or noone else.

Renee