I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Off-Topic => Other Severe Medical Conditions => Topic started by: ODAT on March 12, 2009, 01:06:09 PM
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Hi, I posted this in another board and wanted to let you know what's going on with my brother-in-law since I mentioned his condition in another post.
My brother-in-law has lung cancer. He lives in another state. I am going to give you what I know which isn't a lot. I still find it surprising that he is this far into this without knowing type, stage, or life expectancy.
A few months ago, he had pnemonia. Went to the doctor who put him on antibiotics. They did not work so they gave him another round of stronger ones. He began coughing up blood so they did a chest xray. Saw a shadow on the left lung that appeared rather large. Sent him for a ct scan where it showed there was a tumor about 5 cm(?). Then got a biopsy through his nose or mouth (see I'm not kidding when I say I don't know everything). That test was inconclusive. My sister told me they had gone in too far and went to a 'black hole.' At some point, they gave him steroids to help with the cough(?).
Then he had a PET scan which was also inconclusive. They said that the tumour was too close to the chest wall. So next was a needle biopsy. It was cancer (no one said what kind and I don't know why my sis or bil didn't ask). After the needle biopsy he coughed up more blood and coughed all the time. He did go back into the hospital and they took a chest xray and said it was ok.
He saw a surgeon who said that they hoped to take out a portion of the left lung, but it was possible that they'd have to remove the whole left lung. They'd, of course, know when they got in there. The next day he was scheduled for surgery! He was supposed to go in at 6:30am and the night before they called and said to come in at 5:30am. They said he'd be in hospital for five days and home for at least a month.
Surgery was to take two hours. It took 3 hours. They removed the entire left lung, eight lymph nodes, part of the lining of the chest wall, and part of his aorta. Oh, and they found an infection in the tumor and when I heard that I couldn't figure out how that could happen. The infection was a result of the needle biopsy.
So he had the surgery on 3/11/09 at 7:30am. The doctors have mentioned that he may go home tomorrow. I'm thinking they don't want him to get an infection while being at the hospital. He said he was feeling better - hope it's not just the meds talking. He had a temp of 101 last night, and he has eaten liquids (jello).
Still no word on type of cancer, stage, or what to expect as far as time. I know that everyone is different and even if you do know all that, you can still beat the odds. From my research though, it looks like it is NSCLC and it is stage 3b.
I will keep you all updated.
He was a heavy smoker for over 35 years and quit two years ago. He has also been around car fumes for his whole life as he is a mechanic and races his own dragster. Not sure if that adds to him getting lung cancer. He was also diagnosed during this time with COPD and emphysema.
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I just hope they got it all ODAT. :grouphug;
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:grouphug;
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I am sorry for one more medical problem in your family. You certainly have had a lot to deal with. My Dad had one lung removed with lung cancer and lived several more years (he was much older than your BIL). Hopefully they got all of it and he can start healing and be better. Sending you love, :cuddle;
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I was involved with Dragsters at the tracks for many years, and have often wondered if there had ever been any studies done on the effects of Nitromethane (fuel used in "Top Fuel" Dragsters), it really smells horrible and is prevalent at any strip when the fuel vehicles are running, 20 gallons can be burned in a 1/4 mile run, so lots of fumes. Several top name racers have had cancer or have died in the last few years, and I'm convinced that nitro has some bearing in it........
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So sorry to hear about your BIL, Odat. :cuddle; :grouphug; :cuddle;
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:grouphug; :grouphug;
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thanks for the hugs -
silverhead, I will put that out to my sister to ask the doctor's if the fumes have anything to do with getting cancer.
The doctor's told my sister that they got it all. I hope so. Cancer has a way of hiding. Look how long it took for them to see it.
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My bil has stage 2b lung cancer. He has to do chemo once every 3 weeks for 4 times. They said this is treatable and he'll live another 30 years, can go back to work full-time, and race his dragster again! I picked up mom and sis from airport today. They look great and I look like a ghost next to them. They had just gotten to Florida when bil was home from hospital. Said in beginning he didn't talk much and was depressed and in a lot of pain. Understandable. When he heard the news and got on antidepressants, he was doing just fine by the time they had to leave. :yahoo;
Two hurdles left...chemo and a brain scan to see if there is any cancer there.
Hope everyone is okay, I haven't been around too much. :waving;
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Hi ODAT - here's hoping things are ok and you can stop worrying.
It's good to hear from you - keep in touch! :thx;
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I hope the cancer is not in his brain. Here is some prayers for some good news. :grouphug;
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Just saw this thread.
Sorry to hear about this ODAT. I hope the rest can go easy as possible. I'm sure the chemo will be a little rough, but hopefully not to rough for him.
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Praying there is nothing in the brain. Hope he is doing better and recovers well. Thanks for letting us know his update.