What Should I Expect? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Alicia.C · 11-04-2006, 06:52 PM

My grandpa just found out on July 10th he has lung cancer. He had a 4x6 tumor in his chest, along with a couple smaller ones. His lung cancer, which is hereditary, had also spread to his brain by that point. He was hospitalized in April I believe, for a heart attack, there was no cancer in his brain then. They said its the fastest they've ever seen cancer grow. It covers 3/4 of his brain. Hes had a number of rounds of chemo and had radiation for his brain. He just recently got CAT scan on his lungs and brain, we get the results on Monday.

My questions are these. This past month, hes been getting worse. Hes been losing his sight and hearing, its nearly impossible for him to walk, he cant stay awake longer then to take his pills and eat, and hes constantly complaining of being cold, not to mention his temperature has been staying lower then average. We were sitting at the table last week, he was rubbing his head. We asked if he had a head ache and he said he was just listening to the music. There was no music playing, the TV wasnt on. Hes been discolored also.

I just want to know, I understand these are not good signs, but what do they mean? Four months of his 44 weeks to 12 months have gone by. My family and I dont think he'll make it to see the new year. What do you think?
Please be honest with me, my grandma passed on June 10th, then July 10th, this all started. I just want to know what I should be expecting.

Thanks.

Kimslos · 11-04-2006, 10:16 PM

Alicia,
It is hard to say what to expect, but based on the exp. we had with my FIL who had gliobastoma and melanoma that went in the brain he went into coma about 2 weeks before he passed away. My dad who had bladder cancer also went into coma about 2 days before he died. He may or may not, you just don't know. I guess the best thing is to tell him anything you want now since we don't know what will happen tomorrow. I remember my last conversation with my dad and then a few hours later he went into coma.
I am sorry you are losing your grandpa and had lost your grandma. My grandparents died 20 days apart. My brothers and myself spent the entire summer with them since we were potty trained until we went to college.
Grandparents are very special and very sorry you are losing yours! If it makes you feel any better it has been 6 years since they died and I don't cry anymore, but smile at the wonderful memories they left with me!
Prayers,
Kim

Alicia.C · 11-04-2006, 11:32 PM

Kim,
Thank you. Wow, 20 days apart, thats horrible, Im so sorry. ((big hugs))
It sounds like cancer runs thick in your family, as it also does in mine.
Actually, my grandparents raised me from 3 weeks old. Although legally only my grandparents, they're the best parents anyone couldve asked for, they're my parents regardless of any medical records etc. Im only 21 now, but feel like my worlds falling apart, like Im losing my past. Id give my life to have them back, or just to take away my grandpas pain.
I can understand the pain, some what, of losing actually grandparents. My other set is still here but doing rather poorly. Its hard to watch them suffer as well, but its the ones who raised me, my parents, that I cant stop thinking of.

Since he was diagnosed, we've watched as his health keeps getting worse and worse, one thing after another. Hes on over 30 different pills a day. Some for his cancer, some for diabetes, etc. He has 3 different types of inhalers too. A couple weeks ago, he had a big blood clot which moved up his leg into the groin area. Lucky they caught it in time. Fortunately, the chemo was very nice to him. He had a mild head ache, that was it.
His big tumor in his chest had shrunk last time we heard, but its the cancer on his brain that scars us the most. My grandma passed away due to 2 massive bleeds in her brain due to a fall. So unexpected...

Ive been trying to remember the happy times, but its the happy times that make it the hardest. Does that make sense at all?

EdwardB · 11-08-2006, 02:14 AM

I am terribly sorry to hear your story. To lose someone that you love and someone that has been so special in your life is hard. I don't know what i can say to make you feel better. I am having my own personal battles at the moment of fighting terrible feelings of anxiety about loss. In the last 3 weeks death has seemed to have surrounded me, people i know have passed away, a friends mother, another friends brother (who was only 41 and had a young family) and another family friend that is dying from melanoma. It becomes unbearable and soemtimes i feel like i am going to crack, i just don't know how to deal with all the emotion. I then think about my parents and their ageing and health and the health of my children - what is install for them. All i can do is pray to God to keep us safe and keep a watchful eye over us, and for those that are sick all i can do is offer a prayer and pray that God can bless us with a few miracles. I feel that i am rambling, and i am sorry but like i said - words just do not seem appropriate.

Our bodies are just shells - and perhaps they die, but the soul and spirit i believe are eternal, and the essence of who and what we are continues on a new voyage.

God bless and good luck, you are in my thoughts and prayers.