Lung, liver cancer

[Chloe_the_gypsy]

Hi. My father aged 74 has been feeling unwell for about a month - he was breathless, no appetite, sleepy, no energy and had pain around his shoulders/ back. Another symptom was occasional leg pain which was always put down to past hip replacements. He went to his dr who suspected heart issues and was sent for X-rays. While waiting for these appointments my father deteriorated, finding it difficult to get out of bed. He went by ambulance to hospital the day after he had CT of the heart and the Dr with support of blood tests diagnosed lung and liver cancer with cancer also in the vertebrae.That was all that could be seen on the image they had. He is now booked in to see a specialist next week. I visited with him tonight and he is grey in appearance, nodding off to sleep regularly, still not eating greatly and his speech is strained. A month ago he was perfectly fine! I am not expecting great news from the specialist. Can anyone please give me an indication of what may be ahead of us. Thank you

[ElroyJ]

Chloe,

On August 31, 2024 my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer that had grown through her rib cage and has ossified some of her ribs. Then they did an MRI and found a big tumor in her right cerebellum (2" x 2" x 1.25") that is pushing a drainage channel closed and is slipping down her brain stem. They also found two more spots in her brain and two on her liver. 

They did an 8 hour surgery on her brain on Thursday and sent her home 3 days later. She was better at first, but already I am noticing differences in her speech and walk. Plus, we have no option but to sit here and worry about it until we find out what Biomarker's  are present and this will hopefully lead us to the correct immunotherapy to try.

The lung cancer is Stage4 and inoperable. I keep thinking we are wasting time, there has to be something that can be done while we wait. I know that she doesn't have long and I think we should do whatever she can tolerate.

ElroyJ

[Ashley_ccnsw]

Hi ElroyJ

That sounds heartbreaking. I'm so sorry to read this. The waiting is always the hardest part. If you or your wife need any emotional support during this time, please reach out to our 13 11 20 phoneline and we can always organise some counselling support or a telephone support group for each of you.

Thinking of you

Ashley

CCNSW

[Jennifer66]

Hi Elroyj

i am so sorry,  such a terrible ordeal you are both going through, and absolutely know that waiting game, it messes so much with your head, and we do know results take time and then doctors need to go over them, and I totally know what you are going through, my kindest thoughts with you hold each tight and try as hard as it is not to think to much about what is going on, simply enjoy the now 😘

[Maddi_CCNSW]

Hi Chloe

It's not easy seeing your father in this condition, and it's good that you've found this forum.

There are so many different types of cancers and cancer treatments, even people who on paper may have the same type of cancer their treatment and side effects can vary.  It may be worth asking for a meeting with your father's consultant.

If you are in Australia, you can call the 13 11 20 support line.  The line is managed by Allied Health worker, they can provide you with emotional support and may be able to answer your clinical questions.