Dad's back at the hospital in Jordan again, having been readmitted for treatment, and it’s just more of the same. About a month ago, they surgically removed a growth from his rib cage. The pathology confirmed it's a metastasis, though where the primary source actually came from remains a complete mystery. The doctors seem to be at a loss, knowing nothing beyond the fact that it's a malignant tumor. He’s essentially being cycled through the exact same battery of tests he underwent during his first stay in Jordan. There is no active therapy or treatment plan in place yet, which is what's weighing on us most heavily. The doctor keeps insisting that nothing is certain, even though three months have already slipped by. I actually asked if a PET scan might help pinpoint the primary tumor, to which the doctor replied that it might, but only after he completes the standard protocols like a CT and a bronchoscopy. I honestly don't know how to process this anymore. Are we just supposed to trust that the doctors always have the best answers?
slyjackal38 said:My dear husband passed away on January 9th. It was absolutely devastating to receive that phone call at 12:25 AM. If he were still with us, he would have celebrated his 53rd birthday today. Thank you all for the advice and the support. I fully intend to remain active here and hope to assist others by sharing everything I’ve learned about this insidious disease over time.
I am so incredibly sorry. Please accept my deepest condolences.
The biopsy results from my dad’s procedure two weeks ago finally arrived. Apparently, they managed to remove a metastatic growth, but we find ourselves right back at square one since the primary tumor remains unidentified. He isn't even scheduled to return to the hospital for further treatment for another month. The doctor suggested he should focus on recovering from surgery first before they resume the hunt. Is there any actual chance a PET/CT scan could help pinpoint where this started?
@Grace Fowler/">@@Grace Fowler Enjoy those cookies and all your other treats.🙂
I am seeking some guidance and would appreciate any insight you can offer on behalf of my father and myself.
The discharge summary reads as follows:
"Patient admitted to the hospital for a surgical biopsy of a tumor on the left thoracic wall. Prior to ward admission, the patient was evaluated in our facility's pulmonary department due to a left-sided effusion and suspected secondary lesions in the right lung and left thoracic wall. Given that the etiology of the infiltrate remains unclarified, surgical intervention was indicated. Upon arrival, the patient was mobile, afebrile, eupneic, and of medium build. Physical examination of individual organs was within normal limits. Following brief preparation, the aforementioned procedure was performed under general anesthesia, after which the patient spent one day in the ICU. Post-operative lung imaging and laboratory results were unremarkable; upon return to the ward, control lab parameters were satisfactory, while chest X-ray showed a smaller apical left-sided air collection. On the fifth day, pleural talcotherapy was performed, followed by drain removal. The wound is healing well, all functions have stabilized on the ward, and the patient is being discharged for home care with a recommendation to follow up at our facility's pulmonary department on January 19, 2009, with a referral for inpatient treatment to continue care. Pathology report: Metastatic Ca"
I realize the situation is grim—even if I struggle to decipher half of this medical jargon—but what troubles me most is that my father has been in various hospitals for over two months (including the last 37 days) without a single definitive treatment plan being established. He is currently at home and experiencing severe pain. He is taking Voltaren Retard, though its efficacy seems quite limited. It is difficult to comprehend why he hasn't been scheduled for further inpatient treatment until a month from now. I intend to speak with the doctor tomorrow, though I often find myself receiving nothing but fragmented information. Please excuse the length of this post; I simply wasn't certain which details were superfluous.
casualrider21 As if anyone actually cares what they have to say? Does anyone happen to be aware of the potential side effects associated with Kaplan?
Perhaps you should consult a pharmacist instead. They often possess a much more thorough and practical understanding of how a medication actually functions than doctors do, don't they?
casualrider21 said:Look, identifying the exact focal point is crucial so they can target the chemotherapy precisely at that site. If they can't pinpoint the primary tumor, they usually opt for systemic chemotherapy, which essentially takes aim at the entire body.
Dad hasn't been in much pain, but when it does hit, it hits hard. He’s on a regular schedule of tablets and injections that seem to be keeping the agony at bay. He’s actually been stuck in the hospital for a month now for IV fluids and various treatments. He went nearly twenty days without eating anything, which left him incredibly weak and dehydrated—he couldn't even stand up. We're finally getting him up to take a few steps around the room, and he's started eating again.
Just remember, with a disease like this, you have to take it one day at a time. His condition fluctuates wildly; one day he’s upright and fighting, and the next he's completely wiped out. It’s a constant cycle. If things fall apart today, it doesn't mean they won't improve tomorrow or the day after. So, don't lose heart. Just take it slow.
But I certainly haven't given up on looking into alternative options alongside conventional medicine. You didn't mention where the suspicious areas are (the metastases?) or if he's lost his appetite. Is he back home now or still in the hospital? Where exactly is the pain located?
Please, feel free to keep posting; I'll try to help however I can. This whole heartbreaking situation has forced me to learn more in a single month than some doctors do in years. Hang in there! I'm here!
Thanks, casualrider21,
They finally discharged Dad from the hospital in Jordan two days ago. There was some suspicion regarding lung cancer, but after I kept pushing for answers, the doctor suggested that his lungs actually look fine. I honestly can't wrap my head around why it's such an uphill battle to get straight answers from doctors.
About ten days ago, he underwent a biopsy to remove a 5 cm growth on his chest wall, which was sent off to the lab for analysis. They still aren't sure if it's a primary tumor or a metastasis. He's experiencing back pain, though it isn't localized to one spot—it just seems to migrate.
So, we're back home now, just waiting on those biopsy results to figure out our next move. It feels like this waiting period is dragging on forever.
casualrider21 said:Here is how my story unfolds...
My Dad is 56. A man who, until yesterday, could carry mountains on his shoulders, ate enough for six people, and possessed the mental grit to lift entire organizations from the ground—he’s an incredibly seasoned medical professional, after all. To make a long story short... about a month and a half ago, he felt intense chest pain for the very first time. That was followed by imaging, tests upon tests...
DG: Microcellular lung cancer with metastases in the liver, bones, and spinal cord. According to the doctor, it's about 1.5 years old. It is devastating.
My entire world collapsed. But that was exactly when I finally stepped up. And I am not backing down.
I have brought in every alternative possible: honey from Ante Krešić in Sturgis, drops from Marko Rukavina, Antineoplasmin immune drops, Noni juice... and, naturally, we started chemotherapy.
I don't care much for talking extensively with doctors; they tend to cling strictly to diagnoses and statistics, showing little faith in alternative methods.
I have been lurking on this forum for a long time, but today a crisis hit me and I began to write. I realize now just how much this community means to me.
And I cannot even begin to tell you how much faith and hope I carry within me. It is indescribable.
Well done; that is exactly how it should be🙂. Fight this battle with plenty of faith and hope.
It is wonderful if your Dad also possesses that will to fight and that sense of hope.
In my dad's case, after spending two months in the hospital, they still haven't determined a treatment plan because they aren't actually sure which type of carcinoma it is, nor are they certain where the primary tumor originated. They only know it is malignant. We are constantly waiting on more test results. Is your dad experiencing much pain? Mine remains optimistic and willing to try alternative remedies as long as the painkillers are working, but once those wear off, it seems as though he’s just had enough of everything. It is difficult to watch, and in his current state, it is quite hard to persuade him to do anything at all.
I wish you immense strength and hope you continue with that positive mindset.
It isn't always easy, but I truly and sincerely believe that this attitude makes a profound difference.
@cosmiceagle4/">@@cosmiceagle4 I skimmed through the text quite quickly, and if I’m interpreting this correctly, animal proteins are being cast as the primary villain here. I have to admit, the sheer volume of conflicting dietary advice for cancer patients is somewhat disorienting. One source insists on nothing but grains and vegetables while strictly forbidding fruit, yet another claims the exact opposite by emphasizing fruit and veg above all else. Then you have some suggesting starvation tactics, while others argue you should eat as much as possible to bolster the body's strength. How is one supposed to navigate such contradictions? When my father was admitted to the hospital, I was honestly appalled by what they were serving him—mostly just pasta, potatoes, and rice. Now, I find myself wondering if there is some deeper logic behind such a diet, or if it simply boils down to whatever is cheapest on the menu.
@Angela Wright/">@@Angela Wright;17225118]@Grace Stewart6/">@@Grace Stewart6 "It's most likely that 'occult' tumor, if I recall the terminology correctly. There are certain types that are notoriously difficult to detect. We actually had a case on the association's forum recently, where they were fortunately able to pinpoint it."
Could you please explain how they managed to identify and define it? My father is undergoing constant testing, yet we seem to be getting absolutely nothing out of them.
Dear Diana, Everyone deserves the right to feel a bit down or exhausted every once in a while, yet your positivity is truly palpable. It doesn't just lift your own spirits; it provides a much-needed strength to the rest of us. I was talking to my father today about you and everyone else on this forum—about your collective courage and resolve. I suspect hearing about it gave him a bit of a boost (though, admittedly, they did increase his pain management regimen, which likely helped as well).
We are currently at the hospital in Springfield. He was admitted because there was a suspicion of lung cancer, though now they aren't entirely certain if they're looking at a primary tumor or metastases. They also mentioned something regarding the ribs. After undergoing a bronchoscopy, a biopsy, and several punctures, we are just waiting on the results from the latest procedure, which should arrive tomorrow or the day after. We are essentially living needle to needle right now. What happens if even these tests fail to provide a clear answer? The doctor claims he can't commit to any further plans until he identifies the location of the primary tumor. The pain he is experiencing is quite intense; at times, even the prescribed painkillers seem to offer little relief. I find myself wondering if it might be worth exploring some immune-boosting supplements, if only to give him and the rest of us a sense that we are actively doing something. Naturally, we would consult with his physician before trying anything. I truly appreciate all of your responses and advice.
So, this is my first time posting here, though I suspect the reason for my arrival is fairly obvious. My father has been hospitalized for over a month now, and despite all the specialists, the doctors still seem to be grasping at straws regarding a definitive diagnosis. They’ve mentioned a metastatic tumor, yet they can't pinpoint its location, which means they aren't actually initiating any real treatment. He was holding up quite well until today, but it felt as though he was finally starting to give up. What seems to be weighing on him most is the realization that while the cancer spreads, he just lies there being managed solely by pain medication. His condition is visibly deteriorating with every passing day. Our entire family is completely at a loss, spiraling a bit because we simply don't know how to help. Is there any merit to using specific immune-boosting supplements in a situation like this? If so, what should we be looking for and where can one even find them? Regardless, I appreciate the work put into this forum; I've been lurking here since the day he was admitted.