Can any nurses out there help me???

[lindac07]

I notice the thread about Hospice and thought I would ask. My 80 year old mom who is living with us, has just been diagnosed with neoplastic disease in her right lung. I haven't been able to find out very much about it, except that it is a tumor. She has an appointment with a pulmonologist on Friday who will probably recommend a bronchoscopy or a lung biopsy. My mom is very frail, barely 100 lbs. I want to go to this doctor armed with intelligent questions about her conditions. Can anyone help me? Thanks

[Bridget Burke]

1. Until the nurses get here...

There are several reputable looking sources on the web.

www.lungcanceronline.org/

www.lungcancer.org/

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lungcancer.html

www.lungcanceralliance.org/

You'll probably find lots of questions. Best wishes to both of you.

[babylonsister]

2. I go to www.webmd.com when I have a medical

question. I'm not saying this is the end-all of sites, but might arm you with more information.

[liberalnurse]

3. Hi there....

A Brochcosopy is done under local and is mildly uncomfortable. The Brochcosopy is use to get a more definite diagnosis via visual, biopsy and specimens.....so the clinical team will be able to identify a treatment plan. Then you all will know more of her condition status.O8)

[rexcat]

5. The other route could be pallative...

depending on how frail her mom is. These are tough issues for the patient and the family. Before any procedures are done make sure Bridget Burke and her mom have had time to think about and ask questions, even if that means coming back for another visit or getting a second opinion. Just my play on this!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

4. A Bronch will definately be recommended

And should be done. You need to know specifically
what type of cell you are dealing with. Bronch's
are done comfortably for the patient using conscious
sedation. Your mom will not remember the procedure.
The medication metabolizes quickly, and she may feel
punky that day, but much better the next.

You won't know much until the pathology comes back,
but you would need to know how treatable the cell is,
and how large an area you are dealing with. Will
treatment be surgery, chemotherapy and or radiation.
The type of chemo will be of issue too. Will your
mom, being frail, be able to handle it. Survival rates,
for the type of carcinoma are a consideration.

It would be wise to get her to start drinking Ensure,
or other nutritional, protein drinks. Also, your mom,
if of sound mind needs to let you know how far, and
how much she wants to tolerate.

This is a good starting list.
I'd be happy to add more later if you need.
Best of Wishes for you and your mom.

[lindac07]

7. Thank you .........

Everyone on DU is so helpful, I can't begin to thank you. My mom is so frail that I worry that her body won't be able to sustain any of the treatments you described. Knowing her, and she is of sound mind, she won't want any treatment at all. She is rather resigned to dying. I have had her drinking Ensure, since she refuses to eat very much. So, I guess we just have to wait and see. Thanks again, I will use your list to form my questions.

[Burried News]

6. The Pathologist is very important to the plan of care. They analyze the

tissue sample obtained from the Bronchoscopy. I would request the Pulmonologist send the sample out for a second reading i.e. in addition to the hospital where your mother is. There are many Cancer cell types and the type is very important in determining the best treatment.

When one of my family had a biopsy, we had it sent to the University of Pittsburg. Sloan Kettering in NY or other large teaching hospitals with a large number of cancer patients are also suitable.

[lindac07]

8. thank you,

That sounds like a good idea, I will request that it be sent to Sloan since I am familiar with them.

[GoldenOldie]

9. My 66-year old sis will be undergoing this procedure soon.

Her latest pulmonary function test showed she only has 63%lung capacity plus she has heart valve problems.

I have used Mayo Clinic as a source for medical info.....mayoclinic.com. I have also googled and typed the name of the disease/medical problem. It helps to go to as many of the well known or recognized sites as you can as each bit of info will help you to be better informed to ask the right questions. It also lets you hold the the docs/medical, insurance providers, etc., feet to the fire.

Also check in your area for a neoplastic disease support group. A good working support group for any specific medical problem is both invaluable to both the patient and the family as they learn from each other what works and what doesn't work and who and where to go to for help......this alone can save hours, days, weeks of trying to get answers or help.

[Burried News]

10. If you live in the Northeast, I would recommend the Pulmonary

Medicine Department at Yale New Haven Hospital if you have a need for a second opinion in that specialty.
http://info.med.yale.edu/intmed/pulmonary/faculty/matthay.html