We went to the Onc. yesterday and went over all they know. He has Stage IV adenocarcinoma. T4 N2 M1. The 4cmx4cm tumor encases and is constricting his Bronc. on the upper right lobe has scattered nodes in both lungs, all of his lymphs in the center of chest are infected along with the left Adrienal gland. He also has had to have fluid drained which tested positive. They cannot do surg. they cannot do radiation only Chemo. Stat say 8-12mon but those are just stats and stats are ment to be broken. He starts Chemo on Tuesday. He goes for two rounds (6weeks) of Taxol and Paraplatin then another CAT. We were told if it shrinks or doesn't grow anymore we keep pluggin' for two more rounds. If it grows...well we move to step two.

Can anyone tell me how they or someone else they know reacted on these chemos?

Much Thanks

My father's diagnosis is almost identical to your father's. He was taking Taxol only, as a single agent. He has a very sensitive system with pre-existing conditions, so they opted for a milder chemo. He had a 60% reduction in his turmor after three treatments. He had terrible side effects.

But now he is suffering from a racing heart rate and coughing up large amounts of blood. Mom says it sprays out of his mouth and goes all over the mirror. He is currently on radiation. They said at first he could not do radiation but have changed their minds since the bleeding. The radiation is supposed to keep the tumor from bleeding. I sure hope your father does not go through the bleeding. It scares my dad so much.

That sounds awful. I am truely sorry. The Onc. said these two were the only two that they would try. (success rate I guess). My Dads heart wouldn't be able to support the racing...see he had a Heart attack on Oct 31 and that is how they found the Cancer. He had a stent put in and he still has one artery that is 80% blocked. I hope he doesn't have those side affects...with his heart and diabetes...I don't know how much he could take.

It is really hard to watch your parents get old. My father is 75 and his body is wearing out. He had a good life but smoked for 65 of those years. Yes, he started smoking when he was 10 years old. We begged him and begged him to quit smoking years ago. He said coffee causes cancer and that something would eventually get him. Well, he was right after all.

My father was so addicted to tobacco. He would get so angry at my mom if she bugged him about quitting.

I know my father is dying, we just dont know when. When he was in the hospital, everybody left and it was just him and I. We had a wonderful talk and I was so happy to spend some quality time with him. We talk really well together. His health is the most important thing to me right now.

I hope your father does alright. It will be a hard road, I will pray for you :angel:

My Dad after two rounds of Taxol/Carbo (one with Avastin added) Had no new growth and one of the dimentions of his main tumor shrank 1/2cm. He continued with his third that day and goes in for his fourh on the 30th. He is having terrible pain in his legs (from the chemo the onc. says), and his mood is terrible. He swings from being funny to everything is wrong. His patience is gone with everyone.

Has anyone had this type of experience with the leg pain and moodiness? Any insight or help would be appreciated.

:wave: Hello Marv and Madonna, I just want to let you know that I am sincerely very sorry for you both. I know how hard it is to watch your loved ones go through this.

I was with my dad through it all. My dad had a lot of radiation for his cancer. His radiologist said he had never had anyone take so much. It was mainly just for pain control because my daddy had a very aggressive cancer and we were all aware that it would take his life.

Chemo was taking a few times but daddy had to have many blood transfusions. He eventually got to weak and his body could no longer tolerate it. He experienced much pain in his legs. One at a time. Which my dad also had cancer in his bones. He also experienced mood swings. He did always seem to have a burst of energy and excitement just after chemo. He would be in a good mood. About a day or so later though, nausea was real bad and mood not so great. I feel the mood swings were normal because if I was dealing with cancer at that severity, I too would be moody.

My dad ended up taken so much medicine and was on a dilaudid pump a month before passing. My dad has cancer all over and in his adrenal gland and brain. It was so hard for him and us. He also had a stomach tube because his food was going into his lungs instead of his stomach. We used a lot of boost and ensure.

Again, I know this is very hard for you both. Your in my prayers. Spend as much time as you can with your dads. Love them and even if they are in bad moods, still just be there for them. They are dealing with a lot as so are you. I would give anything in the world to just be able to be there one more time with my dad and hear him speak or just be moody. My thoughts and prayers. (((HUGS))) :angel: Blossom

Carboplatin and Taxol as well as some other chemo's do tend to cause a neuropathy in the legs, feet and often arms and hands as well amd it takes awhile for it to improve. My mom still has it off and on and she was on those drugs back in July-Oct. 2004.

As for mood part of it can be just dealing with the fact he has cancer as it does cause alot of angry and fearful feelings. If he is getting Steroids with his chemo it could be do to that as steroids can cause moodiness and it seems to be more true in males then females.

Just learn to listen and let him expess his anger but do not take it personel. When you have cancer in a family there is alot of fear driven anger in all that are involved. It is all a part of the grief process.

My prayers go out to you. your father and all who read this post and are dealing with lung cancer.It is an emotional roller coaster journey so hang in there. JanMarie ;)

Thanks JanMarie....had no idea that steroids could cause mood swings...might explain some of my husband's behavior while he had chemo. I try to be so patient though because I cannot imagine having cancer like my husband does. I had surgery today and I am such a baby...they had to take off a squamous cell skin cancer on my lip using the MOHS procedure and I had it done 10 years ago on my nose but boy the lip is sure sensitive! I found myself whining about it today and stopped myself suddenly realizing how much pain my husband is enduring with his cancer. He does have the pain really bad in his legs and back but they say it is because it is in his bones. Blossom I was so sad to read that your dad had the cancer in the same areas my husband has it...seems like everywhere. I just cannot imagine how he dealt with the pain. My husband does not like to take pain medication cuz then it causes constipation so he breaks down and takes pain pills but if you wait too long then he says they don't seem to work. Marv it sounds like the chemo seems to be working and I know it is not easy to handle the mood swings but then I try to imagine myself in their position. I know my husband loves me and is not trying to be difficult so I don't hold it against him...ever! He has been such a trooper so I hope you can hang in there with your dad and I will keep you and your dad in my thoughts and prayers...actually everyone on this board are in my thoughts and thank you all everyday for getting me thru tough times....
Kim