Can anyone answer my question? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

marve · 11-14-2005, 12:29 PM

My dad has been diagnosed with Cancer...what type we don't know until Thursday. We do know it has Spread to both lungs, his lymph and adrieanal(sp) glands. He was just one week out of the hospital this last friday when we had to have him rushed to the hospital because he had alot of trouble breathing. They found fluid in and around the lungs. They drained the fluid on the outside of his lung and sent it off for testing hopeing to find out what kind of cancer it is without doing a bronch. (since he had a heart attack on Oct 31...the reason they found the cancer.) There was no signs, symtoms nothing really. Now since they found it he has a horrible cough...weezing..and now this fluid building up problem.

Is is normal for things to progress this quickly? 2 weeks? Can someone tell me if the fluid build up is a part of the later stages and effects of lung cancer or if it is part of the whole process.

We all would like answers. They seem to know it is cancer just not what kind. They (docs) seem to know that it is bad but won't give us and answers. They keep saying they agree with the lung specialist (who gave him 4 months) but they can't comment directly.

My Dad is only 62 and we have a lot of fishing left to do together. Can someone who knows or has been through this answer these questions.

Thank you

Marv

jeffs1fan4ever · 11-23-2005, 09:50 AM

Marve,
I don't if my thoughts will help you or not. Time is so precious. My husband just passed away at 33 years old from small cell lung cancer.
Fluid build up is very scary. My husband at one point had to have a chest tube put in because of the build up of fluid. It was only a temporary fix.
At the end of his life he was on 12 liters of oxygen because he couldnt breathe the dr told me eventually the fluid will fill up so much that he will suffocate to death. That is what happened. But you have to remember every cancer is different.
I knew someone else who had fluid at the start of the cancer. He lived much longer than my husband did. Every cancer is different. Remember that.
I've had people ask me if I could do anything different would I? No I wouldn't I'm glad I didnt know the way it all would end. I could of missed all the pain but I would of missed the best love I ever knew. The last few weeks of life my husband started to cry and told me I promised you I would always make you happy. I told my husband that hes given me enough love in the last 7 years to last me a lifetime. That its not the things he does that make me happy. That it is just him that makes me happy. I wouldnt take what he gave me back for the world. I was so lucky to love this much.
My husbands dr was the same way he didnt want to give direct answers, then for the first time in my life I put my foot down and said you will give me answers or I will find someone that will.
Keep believing and keep the faith. You are in my prayers.

rsw1124 · 11-24-2005, 10:10 AM

Marve, Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer that there is. It is treatable in so that it is so common. My wife was diagnosed 2.5 years ago and has been fighting ever since. I have been in the situation with the fluid around the heart. Debb had a pericardial window done 9 months ago and the drs. drained almost 8 quarts of fluid out of her. She has had Maximum Curative Radiation 2 years ago this past fall. She has been through 8 different Chemo drugs over the last 2.5 years. Had C.Diff From Antibbiotics admminnd for a blood transfusion. The Fluid is usually not the problem. The Cancer is. Everyone has cancer cells but until they multiply into tumours you are ok. Cells Form tumours and that is the problem. Chemo drugs are scary and amazing in that they can help the body and hurt it at the same time. Research and breakthroughs are daily occuurences.Do all your crying now and get ready for the fight of your life. Pray every day. Keep a journal of everything you can and researcch on the web at American Cancer Society Webpage and other credible sites. This disease ids getting to the point where the drs. want you to live with it for now like diabetes: My Father has that I can relate to the problem there. You have to live for today, Pray For tomorrow and rejoice in yesterday I think. Think Positive and ask lots of questions. I Can not give enough advice for this disease right now but this is a sttart for you. It will be scary at times, And Fun to spend time together at other times. Good Luck and I'll say aprayer for you and your family