How fast it all changed.

[Snowflakey]

Just wanted to tell you I'm keeping you in my prayers. Bless you for logging on and wishing all of us a Happy Easter. Such a sweetheart you are.

I agree with the marijuana - get that in him!! It will help!!

We are all here for you.

 

[Cruisin]

Thinking of you and your family as you navigate this difficult time in your lives.

 

[excited family]

I'm thinking of you and sending good thoughts. Unfortunately it has been confirmed that my husband has stage 4 non small cell lung cancer which has spread to his liver. We are waiting to see the results of a CT scan to see if it has also spread to his brain, another likely progression.

I just want to let you know what we have been doing while waiting to get an appointment at the cancer agency. It is all based on internet research that is medically based. Waiting for so long to get treatment while doing nothing does not sit well with me, so he has been taking some supplements and eating supposed "cancer killing" foods. Google anti angiogenesis foods. The best are vegetables from the allium and cruciferous families. So my house reeks from all the garlic, leeks, onions etc... I have made him soup from a bunch of this stuff as well. We have also bought a juicer and he is drinking a lot of carrot juice.

For supplements he has been taking curcumin/ turmeric, astragalus, grape seed extract, panax ginseng, resveratrol, and ginger. These are all shown to help stop the spread of cancer at least. Hopefully they help shrink the tumours. Some are also anti-inflammatory which helps my husband a lot. Before starting all of this he coughed all the time and had more trouble breathing. Now he is so much better at breathing and only seems to cough when he changes positions, such as getting up or lying down.

Make no mistake about it, he will be doing whatever treatment they recommend whenever that may be! I just feel better doing something which may help, and there is a visible effect. I also have experience with hospital beds from when my Mum was alive. She had MS and got an infection which led to a hospital stay which led to bed sores which led to an air mattress from the hospital. That helped so much and my Dad would always argue to make sure she got one whenever back in hospital. He bought one for home because of how much more comfortable my Mum was.

I hope your husband is doing ok today. My husband needs distractions to deal with everything so he is still working while trying to stay awake. So my other tip is to try and occupy his mind with something, like stupid Disney stories!! Remember you are not alone.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I'm thinking of you and sending good thoughts. Unfortunately it has been confirmed that my husband has stage 4 non small cell lung cancer which has spread to his liver. We are waiting to see the results of a CT scan to see if it has also spread to his brain, another likely progression.

I just want to let you know what we have been doing while waiting to get an appointment at the cancer agency. It is all based on internet research that is medically based. Waiting for so long to get treatment while doing nothing does not sit well with me, so he has been taking some supplements and eating supposed "cancer killing" foods. Google anti angiogenesis foods. The best are vegetables from the allium and cruciferous families. So my house reeks from all the garlic, leeks, onions etc... I have made him soup from a bunch of this stuff as well. We have also bought a juicer and he is drinking a lot of carrot juice.

For supplements he has been taking curcumin/ turmeric, astragalus, grape seed extract, panax ginseng, resveratrol, and ginger. These are all shown to help stop the spread of cancer at least. Hopefully they help shrink the tumours. Some are also anti-inflammatory which helps my husband a lot. Before starting all of this he coughed all the time and had more trouble breathing. Now he is so much better at breathing and only seems to cough when he changes positions, such as getting up or lying down.

Make no mistake about it, he will be doing whatever treatment they recommend whenever that may be! I just feel better doing something which may help, and there is a visible effect. I also have experience with hospital beds from when my Mum was alive. She had MS and got an infection which led to a hospital stay which led to bed sores which led to an air mattress from the hospital. That helped so much and my Dad would always argue to make sure she got one whenever back in hospital. He bought one for home because of how much more comfortable my Mum was.

I hope your husband is doing ok today. My husband needs distractions to deal with everything so he is still working while trying to stay awake. So my other tip is to try and occupy his mind with something, like stupid Disney stories!! Remember you are not alone.

I'm really sorry to hear this. I agree with doing everything possible to try to shrink the tumours whether it be natural or medical, preferably both.

Here is another good jumping off point: https://www.forksoverknives.com/science-says-about-diet-and-cancer/

Feel free to PM me for a more in depth discussion on the subject and best of luck.

 

[excited family]

Another thing which may help using essential oils. From what I have remember reading, thyme is really good for killing lung cancer cells but I'm not sure about other cancers. Mint is also really good at dealing with nausea for any reason, so that is recommended to help deal with cancer and treatment side effects. I also believe that lavender is supposed to help cancer patients in some way not related to killing cancer. Just google your cancer type and essential oils to see if anything specific has been found to help. But mint definitely helps with nausea.

 

[rodeo65]

I'm thinking of you and sending good thoughts. Unfortunately it has been confirmed that my husband has stage 4 non small cell lung cancer which has spread to his liver. We are waiting to see the results of a CT scan to see if it has also spread to his brain, another likely progression.

I just want to let you know what we have been doing while waiting to get an appointment at the cancer agency. It is all based on internet research that is medically based. Waiting for so long to get treatment while doing nothing does not sit well with me, so he has been taking some supplements and eating supposed "cancer killing" foods. Google anti angiogenesis foods. The best are vegetables from the allium and cruciferous families. So my house reeks from all the garlic, leeks, onions etc... I have made him soup from a bunch of this stuff as well. We have also bought a juicer and he is drinking a lot of carrot juice.

For supplements he has been taking curcumin/ turmeric, astragalus, grape seed extract, panax ginseng, resveratrol, and ginger. These are all shown to help stop the spread of cancer at least. Hopefully they help shrink the tumours. Some are also anti-inflammatory which helps my husband a lot. Before starting all of this he coughed all the time and had more trouble breathing. Now he is so much better at breathing and only seems to cough when he changes positions, such as getting up or lying down.

Make no mistake about it, he will be doing whatever treatment they recommend whenever that may be! I just feel better doing something which may help, and there is a visible effect. I also have experience with hospital beds from when my Mum was alive. She had MS and got an infection which led to a hospital stay which led to bed sores which led to an air mattress from the hospital. That helped so much and my Dad would always argue to make sure she got one whenever back in hospital. He bought one for home because of how much more comfortable my Mum was.

I hope your husband is doing ok today. My husband needs distractions to deal with everything so he is still working while trying to stay awake. So my other tip is to try and occupy his mind with something, like stupid Disney stories!! Remember you are not alone.

I'm so sorry, excited, to hear of the confirmed diagnosis. I know what you mean about the wait and wanting to do something. He has been using mint tea to try to help the nausea. Our oncology appointment is Thursday, so I am anticipating our own confirmation then. DH was always heavily into supplements, clean eating etc. We will be doing like you - both the treatment plan recommended as well as whatever we can do ourselves.

Today is an angry day. He is just pissed off overall. He liked the smoothie idea so I made him one around 11, but it made him fell nauseous after a few sips. So, now he's mad. I said not to worry, we'll just try a different flavour/recipe next time. I've got a ham and scalloped potatoes and brussels sprouts underway for dinner. He wanted to know who was going to eat all that. I said the kids and I and hopefully he'd feel like tying a few bites. Dunno if he will or won't but the nausea seems a little better now - a few hours and a gravol after the "unfortunate smoothie incident."

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh dear - I’ve just read thru this thread. Prayers for you & your husband. You have taken on your role as caregiver with grace. I like that you are asking for help too.

 

[leebee]

I'm thinking of you and sending good thoughts. Unfortunately it has been confirmed that my husband has stage 4 non small cell lung cancer which has spread to his liver. We are waiting to see the results of a CT scan to see if it has also spread to his brain, another likely progression.

OH Excited Family, I don't know how I didn't see your posts sooner. I am SO sorry about your husband. Throw everything you have against this awful disease- traditional medicine, homeopathic, naturopathy, etc. Please know that we are all here for you, too. Hugs to you and your family.

 

[Kellydelly]

I am so very sorry you are going through this. Prayers for your husband, you and your family.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As well as Xanax.

Yes, but there are some differences that make Ativan the preferred choice in situations like this.

 

[antmaril]

Rodeo - I responded when you first started telling us about your husband. Again, I want to say how sorry I am that you are going through this.

I lost my 55 year old husband to pancreatic cancer ten years ago. Reading your posts has taken me back to that dark time. I am re-living it and my heart is breaking for all of you. You are doing such a good job. I know it isn’t easy. Not only are you doing everything you can to help your husband, you are dealing with your own fears. My husband’s journey was a little different because in the beginning they thought the cancer was confined and recommended a Whipple procedure. We traveled to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore where the Whipple was performed by a world renowned surgeon. Unfortunately, three weeks after we got home from Baltimore, we were told the cancer had spread to his liver. The Whipple presented a whole other series of problems. He passed seven months after the Whipple procedure. My only consolation was that I knew in my heart of hearts that I had done everything I could to help him. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and it was my honor to do it.

Please take care of yourself. It is a lot to handle. It is good that your parents are there to help you. Take help from anyone who offers. My friends used to come to the hospital just to have lunch with me in the cafeteria. My husband was in the hospital under Hospice care the last month of his life. I spent 26 days in that room around the clock. I went home three times to take a proper shower and pay the bills.

You are in my daily prayers.

 

[fely1st]

Prayers for all of you who have to go through this hard days. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

 

[Snowflakey]

Bless all of you that are going through something right now or did deal with this before. My heart just breaks reading your stories. Prayers for everyone!

 

[Eureka]

@rodeo65 I have been following your story and feel bad for all of your family’s pain. How are your kids doing?

 

[rodeo65]

Wow, antmaril - same age, same cancer. Life just BLOWS right now!!! Well, a whole lot of other words but I can't use them here. I'm so sorry for your loss! While discussing this anywhere else, with him or anyone IRL, I am positive and hopeful and hey, lets get him into some clinical trials and hope they find a cure before he's out of time...I am also a realist. I know what this diagnosis almost certainly means.

Today was more running around. He got a blood clot while in hospital so is now on a daily Fragmin injection. When discharged, I guess they didn't do the math and provide a script for enough days until the shipment could be approved and sent to us from Quebec (we're in Ontario) given the holiday and two less business days. It'll be here tomorrow or Thursday, but that left today and tomorrow without it. I spent all morning on the phone trying to get someone who could correct the issue. The last doctor he saw in hospital is now out of the country and the one on rounds this week doesn't know him. He's in outpatient care now, but hasn't yet had his first oncology appointment, the family doc is great but doesn't have privileges at the hospital and was not part of any of his care since this began, so essentially we are without a doctor until Thursday. The doctor that discharged him actually called me from wherever she is and phoned in three days of the injection to the hospital pharmacy and I went to go get it. Twice, but that's another story. We also managed to get him an Rx for Ativan, so he's more relaxed knowing that's available to him.

Eureka - the kids are I'd say, OK. Not falling apart, but not doing great either. DD and I had it out this morning - I'm not here for her the way I used to be (yep, that's true and I feel like absolute crap about it), I take my stress out on her (also true and I've promised her and myself to do better there) and she skipped school today bc she didn't feel like it. I let her because I wasn't up to that fight - she promised the rest of the week will be perfect attendance-wise. DS is doing what I ask when I ask him, but he's also out most of the time. He's a typical teen and was kind of doing that anyway, but I also feel it's bc of the situation as well. I plan to look into cancer support groups for teens, just haven't got it done yet.

I'm waiting for just a little bit of a light somewhere. I know it has to be around but so far it's all pretty dark. Every day when more stress heaps on, I think well, this has to be the limit. Time for something good to happen...still waiting.

 

[antmaril]

Deleted

 

[antmaril]

Sorry I goofed up the quote for my response. I am not sure how to fix it.

Rodeo. Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the words that describe what you are feeling right now are not allowed on the Dis. I totally get it.

When my husband and I started this journey, I said to him “You are the Captain of this ship. Whatever you want to do, is what I want to do.” We had been together since we were 15 years old, so we were definitely in it together. He put a lot on my shoulders, because he was overwhelmed by so much of it. I am proud to say I did it.

Those hiccups with medications, etc., are so aggravating. I went through stuff like that, too, and I thought I would lose my mind.

I don’t really have any words of wisdom. You are doing your best and that is all anyone can ask of you.

Our son was 21 when his Dad passed away. They were very close because my husband worked from home. He was there with him every day after school and they were best buds. My son is now 31 years old and still misses his Dad every day. He was in college when his Dad died and is now a Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s Degree. His Dad would be so proud of him.

Continued prayers for you and your family.

 

[ronandannette]

Eureka - the kids are I'd say, OK. Not falling apart, but not doing great either. DD and I had it out this morning - I'm not here for her the way I used to be (yep, that's true and I feel like absolute crap about it), I take my stress out on her (also true and I've promised her and myself to do better there) and she skipped school today bc she didn't feel like it. I let her because I wasn't up to that fight - she promised the rest of the week will be perfect attendance-wise. DS is doing what I ask when I ask him, but he's also out most of the time. He's a typical teen and was kind of doing that anyway, but I also feel it's bc of the situation as well. I plan to look into cancer support groups for teens, just haven't got it done yet.

I'm waiting for just a little bit of a light somewhere. I know it has to be around but so far it's all pretty dark. Every day when more stress heaps on, I think well, this has to be the limit. Time for something good to happen...still waiting.

to all of you and prayers for your continued grace and peace. As to the bolded, just a small suggestion - most schools have a counselling/support resource person. I'd find the time to make a phone call or visit to let them know what's going on so they can reach out to your kids (which they will do very discreetly). From there they can offer further options for help that is relatively easily accessible and reasonably priced. The hospital social worker is an appropriate source to look for this information too. It would be very beneficial for the kids to have something/someone of their own outside you and their Dad where they can process. Hang in there Hon - like a PP said, you're doing a great job.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Also, finding a cancer support group for teens is one of those things you could delegate to a friend who's looking for something to do to help you! They want to help!

BTW, look at the American Cancer Society website and check with your nearest cancer care center. There may be a support center in your area, which is handy not just for your husband, but for you and your kids.

 

[Kewz1]

I’m so sorry. My DD was 19 when she was diaganosed with cancer. Thankfully, she is doing well and coming up on the 5 year mark in Oct.

I know what it’s like to have someone you love go through this. It’s incredibly scary and frustrating and difficult and a lot of other things. I can honestly say it was my faith in the Lord that got me and my family through the hard days. I don’t want to break any of the board rules so please feel free to send me a PM if I can be of any help. Also know I’m praying for you.