weeks? - Cancer Message Board

mel1977 · 08-01-2008, 08:15 PM

My dad started out with stg 3 renal cancer. The cancer is not in the kidney rather on top. Then, mets to lungs-tumors in right side. He is 57, a smoker and alcoholic. Couple months of chemo-mental status changes of unknown origin, possibly narc OD. ER Monday-CT of brain shows 1.3cm by 1.3 cm tumor in frontal lobe of brain. Next morning, doc says weeks after looking at most recent CT/Xray of chest/lung. Says tumors growing and lungs deteriorating. Said, no more treatment-hospice and gave WEEKS as estimation of "time left". Anyone know if this is probably accurate? Or is it REALLY unknown as most diseases are?? No MRI of brain d/t dad not being able to lie flat-hard to breath.
Today much better-eating, drinking, clear. Some slight confusion-not able to probably live on own SAFELY. Moved to nursing home

which is so sad for us-on hospice but not "actively dying". Min assist-we feel horrible. But can't be with him 24 hours for safety Anyway-upset anyway, but any light on the weeks??
Thank you

Twiddles · 08-01-2008, 09:04 PM

Hi, it's so hard to tell "how long" someone has left. The doctors can say whatever they want, but in the end it's still up to the man upstairs. I think a lot of it has to do with the person's attitude and outlook. It helps to try to stay as positive as possible, but still, it's hard to be positive when reality steps in and bites you in the face.

The brain tumor seems fairly small, right? I wonder if your dad's overall condition is playing a big part in all this. I mean, is he fairly healthy other than the cancer? Probably the alcohol and cigarettes have him in poor health. I know a person's general health status also has a lot to do with the "weeks" they have left. I wish I could tell you more. I think the best thing is to make him as comfortable as possible, with hospice hopefully that will be possible. I wish you the best,

Nancy