Can anyone tell me about lung cancer?

[Teacher03]

I hope someone can help. My dad (age 69) was just diagnosed with lung cancer. He isn't making a lot of sense and I'm hoping someone here can offer some insight. He went to the doctor about a month and a half ago because he wasn't feeling well. A chest xray was done, spots showed up on the lung. He went a week later for a PET scan, no other areas of concern showed up. The doctor planned to go through his nose to check out the lungs (my dad's words). He went back to the doctor on the 28th. The nose idea was scrapped. The doctor said he was sure it was cancer because his white blood count was so high. No biopsy was done. He is scheduled to meet with the surgeon on June 8th, my dad says they are going to remove the lung. Could this be true, just based on his white blood count? Also, does anyone have any idea how soon after meeting the surgeon that surgery will be scheduled? My family has a trip planned to Disney the 15th-22nd, and my dad is insisting that I do not cancel it. If he is having surgery, I don't feel comfortable going, but if it is scheduled afterwards we will still go. He has agreed to allow me to go to the surgeon with him so I can ask questions then, but the uncertainty is unbearable. Any advice or information would be appreciated.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I just wanted to send your way!!

IMHO you should ALWAYS seek a second opinion on ANY surgical procedure.

More importantly, it is VITAL that someone accompanies your dad so that THEY can hear the info too. It is overwhelming to Hear things and trying to remember everything and absorb things is very difficult. Take a pad and pen, write questions now, and do not be embarrassed to ASK questions and ask for clarifications if needed.
Any good doctor will review everything with the family.
Meanwhile, don't be thrown on the back burner waiting for appointments, be insistent to visit SOON and KNOW.........
whats actual diagnosis? stage? recommendations? treatment options (considering age, medical history and those type factors) possible complications?

When I was diagnosed with cancer the floor dropped and the world went full tilt, being alone was UN believable.....then my family swung in and the world again started to tilt back...SUPPORT is SO VERY IMPORTANT!!!
BUT
There are many treatments out there and wonderful doctors and nurses and care professionals to help. American Cancer Society was VERY helpful as well.
I am 4 years out, cancer free and feel BLESSED every day....there is HOPE and there are SURVIVORS and I want to wish you and your dad the very very best. Some take comfort in researching EVERYTHING, some do not want to know.....it is a very personal decision and until the actual diagnosis is known, I'd avoid the research part and get in to the doctor asap!
I hope you'll let us know how he is doing.
BY the way, surgery after a white blood count????Raised white count generally means infection and there is SO MUCH MORE than that to do. Perhaps they told him a biopsy????



PLEASE support the AMERICAN cancer society everyone, erase cancer and the toll it takes on so many people!!!

 

[swald91]

My dad was 74 when he was diagnosed. He had heart/blood pressure problems most of his life-so when he complained of pain in the chest that's what we thought-we were wrong. He had an x-ray & you could actually see the mass on his lung-they did a biopsy & cancer was confirmed he went through treatments that really did work-they stopped the cancer from spreading & no new growth, but b/c of his heart condition he could only take so much of the chemo...he survived just over a year after diagnosis but that was 10 years ago- Get all the information you can-people fight cancer today & win. I will keep you & your family in my thoughts-

 

[Teacher03]

Thank you swald91 and a1tinkfans for your quick replys and support. My mom died from pancreatic cancer a little over 2 years ago, and I don't know if I can do this again. It is nice to hear survivor stories. I have insisted that someone go to the doctor with my dad everytime, he has refused up to this point. I am also questioning the idea of surgery based just on white blood counts, so I think my dad may be a confused. I guess we will find out on the 8th. Once again, thanks for your support.

 

[RN4Babies]

I was diagnosed with cancer two years ago without a biopsy; it was found on an xray and confirmed with blood work (my white blood cell count was 225,000; normal is around 8,000, and with an infection 25,000 to 50,000 is common...NOT 225,000). Do you know what your dad's blood counts were? If they were extremely elevated, that may be what the doctor is basing his decisions on.

I don't want to be too negative, but as someone who's had cancer as well as a former oncology nurse, I think you'll probably need to reschedule your vacation. I can't imagine a surgeon will want to wait until the end of June to remove the tumor. Your dad will probably either be recovering from surgery during the time your trip is planned, or be having surgery during that time. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'd be preparing myself for that likelihood. Lung cancer, like pancreatic cancer, doesn't usually have a very promising prognosis. Again, every case is different.

I would strongly suggest asking your dad to sign a medical information release, allowing you to speak with his doctor so you are informed and know what the doctor has told your father prior to seeing the surgeon. Be persistant and insistant with your dad; he really needs to have another set of ears to help understand what's being said, and what questions need to be asked. As my son says, "Cancer sucks".

 

[swald91]

Teacher03...I think it's VERY important to have someone go with your dad. They should have another set of ears b/c sometimes we seem to hear different things...ya know?? My dad was told alone by his doctor while we were out in the waiting area...I was very upset by this-my mom should have been in with him -I do think his doctor was a good one though-no bedside manner & I think when you work with that often it's not easy. Try to go with your dad -moral support is great too!! Good luck!

 

[can84]

My mom is a lung cancer survivor. It really is important that someone be in the room with him. Write questions down and bring them with you. Bring in a pad and paper and take notes of what the doctor says. It seems like so much will be thrown at you at once, it will be hard to remember a lot of what was said. Does he smoke? If so, getting him to stop will be a priority. My mom was a smoker and basically quit cold turkey before the surgery. I don't recall them doing a biopsy on her, but she did also go for a second opinion. The time between diagnosis and surgery wasn't very long--a month or two at most. Best wishes to your family during this time

 

[Teacher03]

I was diagnosed with cancer two years ago without a biopsy; it was found on an xray and confirmed with blood work (my white blood cell count was 225,000; normal is around 8,000, and with an infection 25,000 to 50,000 is common...NOT 225,000). Do you know what your dad's blood counts were? If they were extremely elevated, that may be what the doctor is basing his decisions on.

I don't want to be too negative, but as someone who's had cancer as well as a former oncology nurse, I think you'll probably need to reschedule your vacation. I can't imagine a surgeon will want to wait until the end of June to remove the tumor. Your dad will probably either be recovering from surgery during the time your trip is planned, or be having surgery during that time. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'd be preparing myself for that likelihood. Lung cancer, like pancreatic cancer, doesn't usually have a very promising prognosis. Again, every case is different.

I would strongly suggest asking your dad to sign a medical information release, allowing you to speak with his doctor so you are informed and know what the doctor has told your father prior to seeing the surgeon. Be persistant and insistant with your dad; he really needs to have another set of ears to help understand what's being said, and what questions need to be asked. As my son says, "Cancer sucks".

I'm not sure what his white blood count was, but I don't think it was that high. Obviously it was high enough to warrant a trip to the surgeon. I am assuming that I will have to reschedule my trip. My kids (who are all adults) are trying to talk to their employers to see if there is another week they could get vacation time, so we are preparing. My sisters and I have agreed that he should not go to the doctor alone anymore and he has agreed, although reluctantly. My sisters and I don't have the best relationship with my dad and that makes it all the more difficult. I am optimistic that they do not think that it has spread anywhere else. I guess we'll know more when we talk to the surgeon.

 

[2Kds2K9]

Here's positive news for you. 13 years ago, my Dad had the lower quadrant of his lung removed due to lung cancer. The cancer was found through an x-ray and a needle biopsy. The biopsy was a disaster as the dr doing it missed the mass and punctured my Dad's lung. He spent 10 days in the hospital due to this mistake.

I don't remember how long my Dad was in the hospital, but the surgery went well and he was told to walk every day to expand his lung. After 13 years he is cancer free and doing awesome!

Also, last year a good friend of the family had the same procedure. He was in the hospital less than 36 hours. The incision required nothing more than a bandaid. This man is coming up on 70 and doing great!

I hope all goes well for your Dad. Please go with him to Drs appointments and ask lots of questions. I really think that every "older" person going to a Dr needs an advocate with them. When there is a lot of information being given by the dr, I think people tend to get overloaded and forget important items.

Take care!

 

[minkydog]

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer when he went to the doctor for a persistent cough. He was rarely ever sick, but they found a shadow on his right lung. After various scans & MRIs they did a lung biopsy--it came back positive for cancer and they went ahead and removed the lung right then.

You definitely need to go to the surgeon with your dad. I lived too far from my dad to go with him and I know he wasn't hearing all the details. He had a rapid moving, lethal type of lung cancer(mesothelioma) which has a very poor prognosis. Dad swore to me that his surgeon had told him that he would be cured within a year and would probably live to be 107. I'm a nurse and I can guarantee you NO surgeon would have said that.

After removing the lung the oncologist tried one round of chemo. Dad had a very bad reaction to chemo so they had to take that off the table. He was too weak for radiation. Unfortunately for my dad, he didn't make it a year, which is typical for the type of lung cancer he had.

On the other hand, my 38yo cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 lung and they gave her 6 weeks to live. HAH! She fought like a tiger, went through her chemo and radiation, lost her hair, etc, and lived another 5 years. It was really sad to lose her at a young age, but she was so proud of the fact that she never gave in. she had good quality of life until the last 2 months, when the cancer really escalated.

I hope your dad does very well. Don't be surprised if the surgeon pushes for immediate surgery. Time is precious when you're dealing with an aggressive cancer.

 

[DawnCt1]

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer when he went to the doctor for a persistent cough. He was rarely ever sick, but they found a shadow on his right lung. After various scans & MRIs they did a lung biopsy--it came back positive for cancer and they went ahead and removed the lung right then.

You definitely need to go to the surgeon with your dad. I lived too far from my dad to go with him and I know he wasn't hearing all the details. He had a rapid moving, lethal type of lung cancer(mesothelioma) which has a very poor prognosis. Dad swore to me that his surgeon had told him that he would be cured within a year and would probably live to be 107. I'm a nurse and I can guarantee you NO surgeon would have said that.

After removing the lung the oncologist tried one round of chemo. Dad had a very bad reaction to chemo so they had to take that off the table. He was too weak for radiation. Unfortunately for my dad, he didn't make it a year, which is typical for the type of lung cancer he had.

On the other hand, my 38yo cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 lung and they gave her 6 weeks to live. HAH! She fought like a tiger, went through her chemo and radiation, lost her hair, etc, and lived another 5 years. It was really sad to lose her at a young age, but she was so proud of the fact that she never gave in. she had good quality of life until the last 2 months, when the cancer really escalated.

I hope your dad does very well. Don't be surprised if the surgeon pushes for immediate surgery. Time is precious when you're dealing with an aggressive cancer.

Mesothelioma always ends badly and is almost always due to exposure to asbestos? Did your father or your family on his behalf access the asbestos fund? I don't think it is too late to do that. My dad died of bronchogenic lung cancer at the age of 57. He was a heavy smoker all of his life. DH's uncle however lived nearly 15 years following his lung resection. One never knows how things will turn out.

 

[Teacher03]

I can't thank everyone enough for their responses. I really needed some information and someone just to listen. I am hopeful just hearing the survival stories. My dad was a heavy smoker all his life until he quit about 5 years ago. I'm not sure if he was ever subjected to asbestos. One good thing, my husband has promised me and pinky swore with our daughter that he will quit smoking. Now we need to work on my sisters! I am hoping surgery is scheduled as soon as possible so we can all have answers. I will let you know the outcome. Thanks again.

 

[minkydog]

Mesothelioma always ends badly and is almost always due to exposure to asbestos? Did your father or your family on his behalf access the asbestos fund? I don't think it is too late to do that. My dad died of bronchogenic lung cancer at the age of 57. He was a heavy smoker all of his life. DH's uncle however lived nearly 15 years following his lung resection. One never knows how things will turn out.

Dad had worked in shipyards all his life, often down in the boilers. He was probably exposed to asbestos way back in the 1950s. In fact, my mother has asbestosis from washing his clothes! Her doctors are keeping an eye on her, so far so good. Dad did get connected with a class action suit before he died. After he passed we filed for Wrongful Death, too.

The sad thing is that Dad was a health nut before it was cool. He was very much into holistic healing and never smoked or took drugs of any kind.

 

[Disney Doll]

As a nurse, here are the questions I would ask the doctor:

~ On what are you basing a diagnosis of lung cancer?
~What are my dad's symptoms?
~If he says "white blood cell count (also called WBC count)" ask him what the # is, what is the normal value
~What exactly did the x-ray show?
~Is there anything else that can cause an elevated WBC count?
~Do you think a bronchoscopy (a scope that is passed usually through the nose and into the lungs) would be in order, to see that area and biopsy it?
~If it is cancer, does this appear, in your experience, to be a fast-growing cancer?
~What would the treatment be?
~What would the expected outcome be?
~What deficits would he have after surgery? Would he be oxygen dependent? Would his mobility/endurance be affected?
~Do my Dad's other health issues (if he has any) impact this at all?
~Are there other options besides surgery?

Truthfully, I have never heard of lung cancer being diagnosed on the basis of an x-ray and a WBC count, without at least a bronchoscopy to pinpoint the area and the type & stage of cancer it is.

What is your Dad's overall health? How old is he? Is he active? Is he sickly? Realistically, if it is a stage 4 very aggressive cancer, would he want to go through surgery if the end result is going to be death anyway?? Perhaps he might choose not to spend the last few months or year of his life in & out of hospitals, suffering post-op complications, never feeling well. He might decide to treat symptoms, maintain some quality of life.

I don't think I'd jump into major chest surgery based on an x-ray and a WBC count. I'd also like to speak with an oncologist and get a 2nd surgical opinion as well. I know there are many aggressive lung cancers, but most are not so aggressive that the person doesn't have at least a couple of weeks to do some legwork, and if Dad does have one that's that aggressive, surgery wouldn't help him anyway.

I am not trying to be a downer, just trying to point out that doctors get very gung ho about treating and surgery and there may be other options, depending on prognosis, current state of health, the patient's wishes etc.

Best of luck.

 

[Teacher03]

Disney Doll, thanks for the list of questions. My dad isn't in great shape, but I wouldn't say he was sickly. He has to have a stress test this Wednesday to see if his heart could handle surgery. Then he has to have a CT scan because he had a head injury years ago (I'm not even sure if this makes sense.) I would love him to have a second opinion, but I don't think he will go for this. Can they determine what stage it is in without a biopsy?

 

[Pin Wizard]

My dad lasted a couple years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. His primary care had told him that the community hospital could do the same thing the NYC hospitals could do. After he was fed up with the local hospital, he went to Sloan Kettering. He went back to his primary care and told him...if you have any cancer patients, send them to Sloan! The community hospital couldn't hold a candle to them.

I've recently heard from a friend who started with colon cancer and it's advanced to lung cancer. She's been to Germany twice for surgeries. I thought...not one physician in the US to do this? She said the procedure here is to remove part of a lung or the lung entirely. She found someone in Germany who has been using laser on each tumor for years! And she had more than 30 tumors. She's doing great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing.

Will keep your dad in thoughts and prayers!

 

[RN4Babies]

Disney Doll, thanks for the list of questions. My dad isn't in great shape, but I wouldn't say he was sickly. He has to have a stress test this Wednesday to see if his heart could handle surgery. Then he has to have a CT scan because he had a head injury years ago (I'm not even sure if this makes sense.) I would love him to have a second opinion, but I don't think he will go for this. Can they determine what stage it is in without a biopsy?

Assuming that the diagnosis of cancer is correct, staging is based on involvement of other systems and/or organs. Stage I is very early, encapsulated tumors. Stage II is localized, with no lymph node involvement. Stage III has positive lymph node biopsies, but no evidence of any metasisis (in other words, no spread to any other area of the body). Stage IV is cancer in more than one area of the body. If your dad undergoes surgery, that's usually when lymph nodes are removed for biopsy.

DisneyDoll gave you some very good questions to ask. I'd also be looking for an appointment with an oncologist either before or immediately after your appointment with the surgeon. If you were happy with your mom's oncologist, that would probably be a good place to start.

HTH