Lung cancer
posted by Aoibheann
03 June 2009

Extensive small cell lung cancer

Last reply: 15 June 2009 12:42

My Dad has extensive small cell lung cancer, liver and spots in his bone and brain. He has undergone chemo and never recovered from it to be honest. He is very fatigued. He started some pallitive radiotherapy yesterday for five sessions to hopefully reduce the new tumour blocking his airway. I suppose I would like to hear from anyone in a similar situation. We lost our Mom 7 yrs ago to lung cancer and its unbelievably hard and unfair to be here again... Has anyway gone through this twice? How do you get through it? (for some reason I am finding this week very hard, we had a meeting yesterday with the consultant who looked after my Mom and it really knocked me back to 7 yrs ago)I really want tips for myself and my brothers and sisters cos Dad deserves the best from us. Any advice, support or suggestions would be great.. Sorry for moaning

1 comment

Comments

commented by Irish Cancer Society
15 June 2009

15 June 2009 12:42

So sorry to hear that your dad has gone through such a lot, but hopefully the radiotherapy will be of some help and reduce the tumour thereby lessening the symptoms. It is indeed a difficult time and this situation of course brings back memories of your dear mum

You are all doing the best for your dad by being there for him. Maybe if you find it all too much it might be worthwhile having some counselling for yourselves and I have enclosed a list of support centres for you.

http://www.cancer.ie/support/centres.php

The Irish Cancer Society has booklets which may be helpful. For example “A time to Care”-- Caring for someone very ill at home and “The Emotional Effects of Cancer”-- Caring for people with cancer and “Understanding Fatigue”. These booklets can be down- loaded at http://www.cancer.ie/cancerInfo/cancers

Alternatively you may wish to speak to a Specialist nurse in confidence on the Freefone helpline 1800 200 700 Monday to Thursday from 9am to 7pm and Friday 9am to 5pm

With Best wishes,

Cancer Information Service Nurse

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