My Dad's Diag. - Cancer: Lung Message Board

marve · 11-22-2005, 10:16 AM

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

Madonna · 11-22-2005, 01:28 PM

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.

marve · 11-22-2005, 03:01 PM

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.

Madonna · 11-23-2005, 07:31 AM

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

marve · 01-18-2006, 12:02 PM

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.