How do you know its the end? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

peanut222 · 11-05-2007, 02:08 PM

My father-in-law has stage 4 lung cancer (diagnosed in June). He's had two rounds of chemo and neither has worked. His cancer has spread to his liver and his scalp.

Very recently, he has seemed to go down hill very quickly. He is in so much pain (in his back) that he has had to be on very strong pain killers. The drugs are making him mentally incoherent and he sleeps all of the time. His dr recently said that if another trial of chemo doesn't work, he has about 9 months. I am really worried though that things are happening sooner. He is too weak to even stand.

Anyone with perspective??

SherryAnne · 11-05-2007, 06:36 PM

Peanut.....
I am very sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Lung cancer usually metasized to the bones and brain. My mom was diagnosed the end of Dec 06 with stage IV small cell lung cancer. It was actually found because she had an MRI done because she had so much pain in her back. The cancer was found in her lungs (primary site), bones, spine, adrendal glands, skull, pretty much all through her. It now has spread to her brain. It would probably be best if you found out exactly where the cancer has spread to. There is NO REASON he should be suffering in pain. My mother (who lives with me) has hospice services and is kept very comfortable.
I hope you can get him help so that he is not in so much pain. My prayers are with you and your family.
SherryAnne

carol1961 · 11-05-2007, 08:11 PM

Hi...i lost my dad...and even though i knew it was bad...was suprised when the end came...i'm losing my Mom now....and i have been searching for a number....a day...a week...or month...to help me prepare....for me...and her...but none will...can....give you that....every person is different..everyone's will to survive is too....there are always those who beat all odds....so although I am still searching for that guestimate in time...i am enjoying each and every day now...as none of us know when our time will ultimately come....I still cry every night...just wondering....but then pick myself up each morning to spend quality time w/ my mom...so my thought for you is to find some help to manage the pain...and enjoy time together...my thoughts are with you....C

PS hospice offers palliative care for patients still having active treatment...and may be able to add additional support around pain management.

mishymay3 · 11-05-2007, 08:23 PM

Hello. I am very sorry for what you are going through. I lost my dad October 4th to this horrific disease. He was diagnosed in February with stage 3b NSCLC. He only lasted 9 months. However, about 3 weeks before he died, we were told he had about 6 months. The last month he went speeding downhill. His weight was so low, he had to have oxygen, he went from being able to walk with the oxygen to not being able to move on his own with the oxygen in what seemed like a few days. He couldn't eat. We called hospice in and he didn't live a week. He also had horrible back pain because it had gone to his bones.

I can't tell you how long but I know that we were told an amount of time that wasn't true. If it was, my dad would still be with us. I miss him so much. He was only 55 years old. What a nightmare.

Peace and comfort,
Michelle

mishymay3 · 11-05-2007, 08:24 PM

I forgot to tell you that he also went from sleeping quite a bit to sleeping almost constantly. The night before he died, I was over his house and he was sleeping for about 8 hours straight. The next afternoon he died.