Lung Cancer Support

Question: Lung cancer survivor support group? My mom had a lobectomy the other week. She is doing good, but is frustrated that she cannot take a deep breath. Are there any online support groups?

Answer: There are different groups for different types of lung cancer. This page lists most types and you can find the rest by poking around a little. The ACOR lists are non commercial and moderated to stop spam and nut jobs. I recommend joining the appropriate group for your mom. http://www.acor.org/mailing.html?l=l

Question: serious lung cancer, life support question about dieing? A friends dad has lung cancer and has been on life support for almost 7 months, they don't leave his side at all because they say he could die at any moment and they want to be their. Can this happen, so fast, would the death be sudden without warning, and he could be gone in an instant? She said she is worried to even go to the toilet...knowledgeable answers appreciated.. Thanks for all the answers its realy appreciated. I'm shocked it can happen so fast, as all this time she has been by his bedside to scared to leave, they don't call at all, they see it as taking a risk.

Answer: I am really sorry for your friend and family. Death can happen that fast. When my father in law died (he too was on life support), all of his family was with him except for my son (his grandson). Once my son arrived and let him know that he was there, he died.

Question: Are there any stats to support if lung cancer rates have gone up or down in states that banned smoking indoor? Or is it too early to tell yet?

Answer: they'll just blame it on something else

Question: when a parent is dieing of lung cancer, on life support, is this life on the edge for the family? My girlfriends family is going through this. She NEVER wants to leave his side, I respect that but I feel low sometimes. Its been 9 months now on life support. Does this go on for years, as some people can be like that for years and years so I have heard? Or because it is lung cancer they feel he could die anytime, he was given 3 weeks to live 8 months ago, and in january, she told me they almost lost dad but hes still with us but not sure for how long, what happened their as in how did they know they almost lost him and how come hes still in their? I am sorry I dont know much about these things and I always ask to get a greater insight into life support cancer etc. Is my girl and her fam living life on the edge thinking their dad could die anytime anyday? or is a long term years and years thing? Thanks for answering my complex questions. I appreciate the support.

Answer: MD Cancer specialist answer Something wrong with this picture Joe. It makes no sense that a man with lung cancer so advanced to require life support (which I assume is a ventilator breathing for him) would survive 8 months. Are they sure he really has a malignancy in his lung? Is the tumor mass growing? Does he instead have advanced emphysema or "COPD" from cigarette smoking which has caused him to require ventilator support? I took care of several hundred patients with lung cancer in my 20 years as a medical oncologist. I've never seen or heard of a scenario quite like this one. What type of lung cancer? Has he had radiation therapy or chemotherapy? Very strange situation. If I had a patient who I expected to be gone in 3 weeks - and he survived 9 months - I would be reevaluating my initial diagnosis. Maybe his doctors are doing this and you are not getting the whole story. People do not normally go on for this many months (or for years as you ask) with a true advanced lung cancer. We are missing important information here - but patient privacy issues dictate that it is not for us to know all the details.

Question: question about lung cancer and support? my friend has been diagnosed with small cell carcinoma lung cancer and wanted me to see if i could find any good chat rooms where cancer patients can chat with other cancer patients thanks in advance

Answer: just go to google and type in chat rooms for cancer patients. Also another thing that is good is going to cancer patient meetings where all cancer people come and talk about things

Question: girls dad on life support with lung cancer, wots a guy to do? my fiances father is critically ill on life support, with lung cancer, he's on a ventilator to help him breath so i guess he's basically gone. has been like this for about 3 months, the docs asked the fam to switch off the life support sometime ago but i think they cant let go, understandable. we are a long term relationship and its complicated i cant visit her plus her fam have gone into shut down mode and cut everbody off. am supporting her by just being ther for everytime she comes out of the hosp to text me, which is like every few weeks, she been living at the hospital for about 3 months now and shes too scared to leave her dads side in case it happens and she aint ther. i support her but she hasnt called me for time, and ive given up my life for her and she says that i am her life and the reason shes living right now,, i love her so much, any advice how this will turn out? and wot should i do...?

Answer: You are in a tough position, but i think you are doing the best thing by being there when she calls and texts, if its impossible for you to be there with her or at least nearer then i would keep on doing what you are doing plus maybe send her texts of comfort and encouragement in addition to the ones she sends you, dont say anything about how you are feeling... your girl has just her dad in her thoughts...she doesnt want or need anyone else's problems.... I really feel for her and also for you because you both have a bad road ahead,... I was and still am very angry about losing my dad to cancer and some of my nearest and dearest have suffered my moods due to this... because i have no one in particular to direct my anger to ...they sometimes 'feel' it.... So be there, be strong, be supportive, put your feelings out of the picture, and try to put yourself where she is right now... I send you the best of luck to both of you ;)

Question: Where do u get help or support for lung cancer? Information and such

Answer: http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/facing/support.html

Question: Cancer supporting ribbons/shirts/pins, etc...(specifically lung cancer)? Last Monday my grandfather got diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and my family and I are still having a difficult time letting it sink in. He is only 63 years old and although that may sound old, he had more energy than me and I'm only 21! Anyway, the hospital gave him a silver bracelet that says "Expect Miracles". My grandpa knew that out of my whole family, I was hit the hardest by his diagnosis - me and him are very close, I'm scared, and I don't want to lose him. I know it sounds selfish, but I'm not ready to let him go yet. He gave me the bracelet, and I'm really touched by it and never want to take it off. I'd REALLY like to find some Lung Cancer Support stuff...ribbons, shirts, pins, bracelets, necklaces for me, my family, and him, to keep his spirits up in any way possible. I don't want to order off the internet, I want to go find some in person. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I know the breast cancer stuff is everywhere, seems lung cancer is harder to find :(

Answer: I used to work in a hospital cancer research department - quite often even they have a hard time finding those things! But what I would do is speak to the head nurse of the cancer support department. The American Lung Association has branches all over the country though - you might want to call them. I have one - its grey. You might want to go to a fabric store and buy a bolt of ribbon to make your own in the meantime.

Question: Are there any cancer support groups in Central Missouri? My father was diagnosed with lung cancer. (squamous cell carcinoma stage IV) I think he is scared of the chemo and radiation therapy, because he doesn't want to do it. I need to get him and our family into a support group. I live in central Missouri. Any suggestions?

Answer: You can contact the American Cancer Society, they may have a local chapter that can give you guidance. You can also contact a cancer clinic and ask to speak to a medical social worker. Many social workers specialize in working with cancer patients and their families and would be glad to speak with you. American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/

Question: Medical studies supporting argument that smoking causes lung cancer? Does anyone know the official title of any medical studies or trials that support the argument that smoking causes lung cancer? Also, if anyone knows of an article or example of why animal trials and human trials can have different results, that would be great. I have to research both sides of the debate about smoking and lung cancer.

Answer: You start the research on PubMed which is the online access to the US National Library of Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/

Question: i have stage 4 lung cancer are their any support groups close to conroe or porter tx?

Answer: I was in contact with the support line with the American Cancer Society when my Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the lung. They will answer all your questions to the best of the ability and can give you info on local support chaptures. God Bless you.

Question: Where can I buy a Lung Cancer awareness bracelet? I have a friend recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I want to support her by wearing one. The color is pearl, but I really don't know where to buy them except online. Can you recommend a store? or a company that makes it in the Philippines? Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer: i think you have to actually buy it from the cancer research people for it to actually help fund fighting cancer.

Question: is there any one out there that can tell me if they have any chat room or support groups for lung cancer pep i have been dignosis with carcinoma lung cancer a would really apreiciate if i could talk to some one who is going threw the same thing

Answer: Hi there. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. My sister has had lung cancer since 2002. I found this site, and it's great: www.inspire.com Good luck to you. Be well.

Question: lung cancer on life support 6 months? how will my friends dad die, as they will not switch off the machine? Could he die at any given moment while on life support? Will it be slow or quick will their be warning signs like organ failure? Or will he remain on life support forever.. he is about 60 how long will he last like this..? his family are realy suffering through this ordeal.. they have already accepted he will die, they just don't want to switch it off, i hope it doesnt go on much longer, my friend is falling apart, and yes he is on a ventilator and they probably are filling him up with drugs still

Answer: If your friends dad has lung cancer and is on life support, that is cruel. I dont know what some people think. He is already gone, but his family cannot accept it. To keep someone alive with a malignancy is just very selfish and no one is thinking about him. Of course, I do not know the whole situation. No one last on life support forever. He will eventually die from sepsis possibly from a decubitus ulcer, pneumonia, a urinary tract infection or some other bacteria and it will be over, after he suffers on and on and on.

Question: Does Obama support Big tobacco lobbyists by being a smoker? I mean what could be better advertising for young Americans than a Presidential candidate who smokes? And how can Democrats who have fought Big tobacco & their lobbyists for DECADES trying to save millions of American lives from lung cancer support should a popular public figure who smokes? Is that really the right message to send to American kids? A possible President who smokes?

Answer: Damn to bad Obama stop smoking!

Question: when someone is dieing on life support/ventilator with lung cancer..? and it has been 8 months or so, how are they taken care of? As in on the bed obviously they are unconscious and cant move, are they bathed by their family etc if bathed at all? What else happens exactly and a day to day basis? The reason I am asking is because it is my girl's father and she has been by his side sleeping their too day and night too scared too move in case anything happens. So I don't hear from her much unless she plucks up the courage to leave him and text albeit for a short time. Family are asking for total privacy too. So I just wanted to know what exactly they do their as in chores with the dieing man if anyone has experienced something similar I'd love to have you to talk to.

Answer: It's bl@@dy tough, my mum died on January 6th 2007 after a very very short battle with Lung Cancer. In fact she died 6 week's after being diagnosed. She went down hill very, very quickly and it's the most heart breaking thing to witness someone who you love so so much dying in front of your eye's and not being able to do a damn thing about it! I slept with her every night, she'd lost her voice because the cancer had spread so rapidly and was crushing her voice box, and i was so afraid that i wouldn't be able to hear her if she needed me during the night and i was frightened for her, i didn't want her being alone. A wonderful neighbour who is a nurse was amazing and used to come over and help me wash mum, my poor sister was devestated and couldn't bear to sit with mum while we gently washed her, i suppose you never imagine that you'll ever see one of your parents so ill and it really hit her hard. I think i just went onto auto pilot and tried to carry on as normal, even though i was screaming on the inside and felt like my heart had been ripped out and smeared all over my face, i fought on and did the best i could. I felt very alone at times, i have 2 sisters and 3 brothers and i was the only one who was still at home, and most of the day to day care fell on my shoulders, dont get me wrong the other's did their fair share, but when they went home to their own families, it was just me and that did make me feel very angry and alone! My mum did not slip into unconciousness until the morning that she died, the Marie Curie nurse who had spent the night with her told my sister and I that mum was not be left alone at all and that it would not be long before we lost her. We were advised to call the whole family, which we did, our neighbour was with us and knew when it was time, my dad, brothers and sisters and I were all with mum when she passed away, it was very peaceful and very quick, and if im totally honest a big relief, not because she had gone, but because she wasn't in pain and she was no longer suffering. It was the most difficult thing i have ever gone through,and i will always cherish every single second of every day that I spent with mum during her illness, despite being so ill she still managed to make me laugh through the tears. Your G/F know's your there for her and believe me you may not know it now your love and support will mean more to her than you realise.. God bless to you and your young lady during this very sad time! x x x