Dont' Tell Me It's Starting All Ready - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Magpie0649 · 04-02-2003, 11:25 AM

When I woke up this morning, it was to find my husband in the bathroom coughing. When I knocked, he didn't answer so after a few minutes, I walked in. He had a tissue to his mouth and was coughing up blood into the tissue.

He was so tired when he was finished he had to just sit on the side of the tub and rest. He also is having persitant back pain and pain in the area of his rib cage. It took him nearly twenty minutes to catch his breath.

I'm still very much in the dark as to what to expect in the early stages. I've read other messages on the board, which are all very moving and sad, but they deal more with the end of the struggle. We're still very much at the bottom of the hill. Are these signs or symptoms of the cancer? And what can we expect from here on out?

Maggie

eva1964 · 04-02-2003, 01:37 PM

I am new to the lung cancer as well. I am with my father 72 years old and has had lung cancer now for 15 months that we know of. He has opted no more treatments, because it will not cure him only prolong his life. Now I myself dont know how long we have. He has good days and then really bad days. Sleeping more and more and then energetic the next day. He will eat more and less some days. I do know his pain in his rib cage and shoulder and back and left side where the cancer is has started to be more and is now taking loratab. He has the oxycotin pain pills but will not take them he says they are too strong for the pain he has. I know from the nurse telling me he will need them eventually. Now he cant walk around much and just dressing and regular hygiene exhausts him, He has had episodes of coughing with anxiety attacks and not being able to breathe. He is on 2.5%oxygen constantly and his oxygen stats without it is below 90 and his heart rate is 100-125 sometimes 130 never below 100. His fingers have flattened out and the nail beds are turning blue. He will break out in a cold sweat usually while he is resting. Or after a trip to the bathroom. I dont know where he is at either. I feel by reading up on this by his symptoms he has 3-6months. If he goes quickly by a heartattack maybe less then that. Since his cancer is close to the heart and he has had a pulmonary embolism and has had fluid drained from his left lung due to plueral fluid build up. They finally had to insert a chest tube and then fill the lining with some antibiotic wash -something to prevent further fluid. I wish I could help you but it sounds like I am in the dark as well as you . My prayers go out to you and hope things go well for you during this terrible time. keep us posted on his condition and maybe someone can help you through this time check out one of the posts from Cheryl and Dan I apologize if I didnt get the names correct but there is a post one of them about the last stages and what to expect Take Care Eva

mrsdlash · 04-02-2003, 06:04 PM

Hello, I understand the terror that you felt when you found your husband in that condition. My husband did the samething. That was about one year ago, now. He started treatments of Radiation and Chemo., which did not help him enough. He took antibiotics then when he was coughing up blood..because he had infection in his lungs. I do hope your husband gets the same help! Mine had to take the antibiotics about 3 more times when he kept getting phenomonia repetedly...that is what you can expect to happen, i am so sorry to say.
You both have my prayers for help as you need. hugs, Donna

Magpie0649 · 04-04-2003, 11:34 AM

My husband began the new course of chemotherapy today to attempt to shrink the tumors in his lungs and liver. He is miserable. He's vomiting and shaking and is in a great deal of pain. He can't seem to breathe deeply and I'm very worried.

All he wanted to do was take a nap, but every time he tried to lie down he became nauseaous and is sometimes too weakened to make it to the bathroom.

I'm so scared for him and feel so helpless. He was once so strong and he's weakening before my eyes. Can I do anything to make the side effects easier on him?

Maggie

NancyEllen · 04-04-2003, 03:59 PM

Maggie,

My father was given the prescription Prochlorperazine 10mg for the nausea. He just had his first chemo treatment at 10 this morning. So he hasn't had to take the above prescription yet. I don't know if it works or not.

Nancy