Spread of cancer - Cancer: Lung Message Board

kiddo · 12-22-2003, 03:21 AM

My Dad was diagnosed last week with early stage lung cancer. Has 2 nodes, one of 2cm and other size of pea. Told they are large cell type.

He is currently waiting for lung capacity test and chemical test. I am wondering how quickly such nodes may grow in only a few weeks, and then spread through the body. Doctor thinks it is confined, but further testing will confirm this.

With Doctor going on Holidays till mid January, all we can do is hope that the nodes do not grow and spread.

Would really appreciate comments and also how others have coped with the diagnosis 'i have cancer'. How do we tell people? How do we go about day to day knowing this is now part of our lives.

Thank you!

mephoto · 12-22-2003, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiddo

My Dad was diagnosed last week with early stage lung cancer. Has 2 nodes, one of 2cm and other size of pea. Told they are large cell type.

He is currently waiting for lung capacity test and chemical test. I am wondering how quickly such nodes may grow in only a few weeks, and then spread through the body. Doctor thinks it is confined, but further testing will confirm this.

With Doctor going on Holidays till mid January, all we can do is hope that the nodes do not grow and spread.

Would really appreciate comments and also how others have coped with the diagnosis 'i have cancer'. How do we tell people? How do we go about day to day knowing this is now part of our lives.

Thank you!

Hi Kiddo,

It sound like you may have caught the cancer early which is a good sign. Not much spreading will happen over the next few weeks or so. Check out some of the lung cancer web sites, you will learn a lot of technical info. and it might ease your mind for a while while the holidays pass. Lung cancer is an ugly disease but if caught early you have the best chance of a much longer life expectancy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad during the holiday season. Do a little research on the internet, webmd is good or lungcancer.org
K.

kiddo · 01-02-2004, 07:25 PM

The results of the tests were a shock. From being told its 'early stage' less than a week prior, we were told on Christmas Eve that he had stage IV cancer that had spread to the bones and shoulder. For the first few days after, I think we were all in a blur while it sunk in.

What happened to stage 1, 2a, 2b and 3. He missed all those. Scans he had on his back over the last month were also clear.

My Dad's only symptoms were weight loss and a burning sensation in his leg. That's it...that could have been symptoms of a multitude of things. He even went to a Physio. He is otherwise a healthy and fit man. The lung function test result was excellent. The day before he found out he had cancer, he was swimming laps in the pool.

This past week we have started radiotherapy and in a few weeks time chemo will commence. After that, trials. In the meantime we are all ensuring he maintains his fitness, eats healthy foods, and thinks positive.

My Dad is never ever one to give up. He has a fantastic support crew behind him.

There are no textbook symptoms of lung cancer from what I read..trust your own body and test, retest and keep informed. We did all we could as soon as we could and will continue to do so.

Stay strong
Dad's number one fan

tryingtofeelgood · 01-02-2004, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiddo

The results of the tests were a shock. From being told its 'early stage' less than a week prior, we were told on Christmas Eve that he had stage IV cancer that had spread to the bones and shoulder. For the first few days after, I think we were all in a blur while it sunk in.

What happened to stage 1, 2a, 2b and 3. He missed all those. Scans he had on his back over the last month were also clear.

My Dad's only symptoms were weight loss and a burning sensation in his leg. That's it...that could have been symptoms of a multitude of things. He even went to a Physio. He is otherwise a healthy and fit man. The lung function test result was excellent. The day before he found out he had cancer, he was swimming laps in the pool.

This past week we have started radiotherapy and in a few weeks time chemo will commence. After that, trials. In the meantime we are all ensuring he maintains his fitness, eats healthy foods, and thinks positive.

My Dad is never ever one to give up. He has a fantastic support crew behind him.

There are no textbook symptoms of lung cancer from what I read..trust your own body and test, retest and keep informed. We did all we could as soon as we could and will continue to do so.

Stay strong
Dad's number one fan

please do a search on transfer factor T cells, stem cell transfer, and immunoglobulin iv therapy. i am suffering from bone infections, nothing like your dear father, who i am praying for. you are all in my thoughts and prayers and i agree that nutrition and exercise play a role. he may not be physically able to do that soon and that's OK - he'll need to rest to fight infections. sometimes the above therapies are a terrific adjunt to up the immune system when ones own starts to fail a bit. I was a very healthy young woman before I got ill 2 years ago. Keep thinking positive and stay IN THE MOMENT. But, do a LOT of research and email/call/ get info from whomever you think might have some.

Happy and HEALTHY New year to you and yours.

greatkhan · 01-04-2004, 08:09 AM

I wish the best of luck to your father. Cancer is a menace. The only thing your dad and your family can do is give the support he needs, which is excellent you are doing.

Was he a smoker? Im sure if your father trys to stay as fit as possible, keeps a high attitude and a positive attitude he can live as long as possible.

Never lose hope. Never.