Update on Father w/ lung/liver Cancer!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2004
Update on Father w/ lung/liver Cancer!
3
Mon, 06-19-2006 - 11:10am

So we went to a few doctor's last week and they took a look at his slides and said it looks like lung to liver cancer. So I guess lung being the primary source. We still were kind of confused as to why they didn't do more testing to make sure the lung was in fact the primary source just because the biopsy came back inconclusive. I want to make sure my dad is treated correctly. The doctor's also said it was non-small cell lung cancer which from what I've heard I guess is a good thing. THe one thing that made me pretty much fall to the ground was when my dad asked what his life span was for non small cell lung cancer and the doctor said 1-2 years. I could see his hands shaking and I just had to leave the room i was so upset to hear such death sentence!! And those doctor's say it with such ease like its no big deal!! UGHH!! The thing that concerns me is that there is a HUGE tumor on his liver like 7.9 cm by something I think I wrote it in my last post...and then a few other ones...I really wish we could find a doctor that would at least remove that one because it is putting pressure on his other organs he can feel it!! But so far we are hearing that chemo should be first to try and shrink it and then possibly surgery. I sooo aggree with you on the aggressive surgery...I really hope we settle with a doctor that is aggressive and willing to try everything to help my dad. I mean there is only one spot in his left lung and I don’t see why they cant remove it. Well I guess I understand the fact that its already spread….that was the doctors argument when I asked. He said whats the point if its already in another organ. UGHHHH its just like they don’t care. Anyway did you have any chemo first??? I am just so scared that my father will not react to chemo what is the percentage of people that do react??? Do you have any idea?

Anyway we are trying to get more opinions. So far we have 2 and we will be getting 2 more. My father however, is really leaning towards Sloan KEttering in NYC have you heard anything about this hospital?

Edited to add: I can not stand the statistics that say how non-small cell lung cancer patients only live 1-2 years and that there is only a 3% chance for them to live 2 plus years...ughhh. I mean I guess it is stage four since it has spread to the liver but isnt there ANY HOPE?? I know he cant be cured but cant he live longer than a yearrrrrrr!!??

Thanks again and again Judy!!




Edited 6/19/2006 3:58 pm ET by i_sarahbear
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-16-2006
Tue, 06-20-2006 - 3:51am

I need to sneak in here and give you my opinion.

Kim

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2004
Tue, 06-20-2006 - 7:04pm

Thank you so much Kim for your feedback. It feels sooo good to hear these success stories! I would do ANYTHING for my dad to live another 8 years..absolutely anything!! Things are crazy right now...!! We are in the process of getting as many opinions as we can from the oncologysts and it is exhausting. Two doctors said it was lung to liver...lung being primary and we just saw a doctor today who said since the biopsy results all came back negative that the lung was the primary organ he is saying he thinks it is coming from somewhere in the gastro..intestinal track..I have no clue if I just said that right or not. The scary thing is it could be coming from the pancreas so that is very VERY scary as I hear it is the worst cancer to have. The funny thing is that on the cat scan of the liver...it shows the gastro intestines are clean of tumors?? The oncologyst that we saw today said it could be hidden in some of the tubes aroudn the pancreas or something like that. My father IS LOOSING IT because he feels like a sitting duck..he has no clue what kind of cancer he has and it is taking forever for him to pick a doctor and get started on treatment because the biopsy results were inconclusive!! Ughhh! Part of me got the least bit excited today when the doctor said he doesnt think its lung to liver...or that the lung is the primary source...I was thinking that must mean a different prognosis if it is coming from a diff. place!! Like maybe liver cancer isnt as bad as lung cancer...I dont know..I am just learning all this stuff.. Next week my father goes to Sloan Kettering in NYC so we will see what their opinion is..

Thanks again Kim and I cant wait to hear from Judy again too!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 06-20-2006 - 9:28pm

You are right, don't listen to the statistics of survival, yes they are frequently wrong.

Judy

cl-ivhjude