Mum having chemo for stage 4 lung cancer

jarvo57 · New User Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 3

Hi to all.

Tried postig this earlier and it did not work, so trying again.
My mum has Stage 4 lung cancer which has spread to other parts of her body. She is 61, fit and has never smoked in her life, but that how it goes sometimes i suppose. My question is the oniogologist (im sure that is wrong) recommends her to have Chemo, he says this will not prolong her life but will ease the pain. She is not in much pain yet. I am not expert but I thought it would prolong, what I am worried about is if it goes wrong she could end up not having a good last few months. She is not having radiothrapy as this is no good for her now. I am just very unsure for her to have the chemo if it will make no difference. Any advice is much appreciated. They have said she has about 3 months let, but not sure and I would rather spend it with her not in pain. Also can someone tell me what happens usually near there end, is there much pain and suffering.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1138

Welcome Jarvo,

I'm sorry that your Mom has fallen into the world of lung cancer. I'm sure you are all shocked and overwhelmed. Most never-smokers don't realize that they can get lung cancer too. It's sad that this information isn't common knowledge. About 20% of new diagnoses are for people who have never smoked and 50% are for those who never-smoked or quite decades earlier. With an estimated 200,000+ diagnosed last year in the U.S., that makes for a large number of never-smokers. It was such a shock to me too, so I understand. There are a lot of us here who understand.

If your Mom shows a good response from chemo, there is no reason not to have hope that it will extend her life. Never give up on hope because I've personally seen amazing things happen for my own husband with chemo. He wouldn't have made it 6+ months without treatment and he survived for over 2 1/2 years. He is just one example among many who show good responses and buy more time through treatment. He also wasn't a candidate for radiation and only had one run of it.

The chemo will make her more ill than she is right now. That's hard to watch, because it's almost like they get worse before they get better. Doing chemo is strictly her call. As loved ones we just follow their lead and do what we can to support them and make them comfortable. I'm going to be honest and say that sometimes the chemo doesn't work, but there are so many types that the doctor's should be checking her early to see if she is showing a response. They usually scan every 2-3 treatments. The treatments will make her tired for a few days and may make her very achy and nauseated. Proper medication should alleviate any side effects from the chemo. It's really not as bad as most people envision in their mind --- but, everyone is different in how their body responds. She must stay very hydrated doing chemo, it really helps get through the few down days. The first chemo cycle is the scariest because it is the unknown. She'll do fine.

She should be on appropriate pain meds now! You don't say where the cancer has traveled in her body and that can make somewhat of a difference. Depending on the variables, I'd be asking for aggressive treatment for her depending on how wide-spread the cancer is in her body. Radiation will help with bone mets, etc., but chemo is systemic and will work on all the cancer in her body, except it doesn't cross the blood/brain barrier. Radiation is the only treatment for the brain.

The end comes in so many different ways that no one can predict how it will go. Typically they have enough medication to ease the pain, but not everyone has pain. You've said your Mom is in pain already, so that's somewhat of an indicator. It all depends on where the cancer likes to run off to in the body --- it can be brain, bones, liver, adrenals, or other less common places, besides the lungs. Think about her surviving to have more time and create more memories and try not to focus on the end.

God bless you and your Mom as she begins the journey that nobody wants to embark upon.

Sending many warm wishes,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

jarvo57 · New User Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 3

PBJ11.

Thanks for the reply, very much appreciated. I will have a chat with my mum and dicsuss with her what we all think is best. The site is a fantastic help when you have issues you dont understand.

Thanks and best wishes.

jarvo57 · New User Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 3

Just thought that i would add since my last post. My mum had trouble breathing on Thursday night, and within that hour had a massive heart attack and passed away. The only comfort is that she did not have to go through all the pain of chemo and radiation . In a way it feels like i have not had to go through what people really call cancer as from diagnosic to death she only survived a month. I have felt a lot of comfort using this website with it's warmth and knowledge.

Thanks to all

Barrie

brainman

Oh no Barrie Sad

I am so very sorry about your mother's death. While it is good that she did not have to endure chemotherapy, I know that it is still hard to lose a mother.

Best wishes to you and your family.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1138

Oh my Barrie!

I'm shocked to read this news and saddened by the sudden loss of your Mom. Sometimes lung cancer puts a terrible strain on the heart.

I can't imagine what you are feeling, so I'll just give my sincere condolences on your loss.

Please know we are here anytime you want to talk.

God bless,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 176

Barrie, I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I know it may not seem like it but it is a blesing in disguise that she did not have to go through the pain and suffering and you and your family didn't have to watch that. It doesn't make you miss her less but may give you a little peace of mind. My deepest condolences.

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