Stage IV Cancer (pain, swollen, doctor, elbow)

[kidyankee764]

A member of my immediate family was recently admitted to the hospital with symptoms of a swollen leg, fever and excessive sweating. It seemed to come out of nowhere. At first the doctors thought it could be TB but that test came back negative. He was diagnosed with cancer of the lung, which has spread to his liver and is in Stage IV.

I have been doing a lot of research and realize that this is not a good thing. Stage IV is bad. It seems as if the examples given refer to the elderly, but given that he is young and otherwise healthy, is there a possibility he can successfully fight it? They are going to start Chemo very soon.

What are the next steps that we, as a family, need to take? I never have dealt with cancer before and am unsure how to go about this with a level head. I'm not sure what to expect - and I don't want to be misinformed due to all of the conflicting things I'm reading on various websites. The Doc told us not to read online because so much is inaccurate.

I'm not asking for a prognosis from you guys, rather some words possibly from someone who has experienced a similar situation? Anyone know of any books to keep me informed about what exactly is happening, and what to expect?

Thanks for any help.

[emailvasally]

I dont know of any books. The Drs should be able to give you a lot of pamplets and also maybe some books to read. This is going to be a very hard thing to endure.

My experience: A good friend of mine was diagnosed about 1 1/2 yrs ago. she started off with having a lot of pain and a little memory loss. drs couldnt figure out what was wrong. then was admitted to the hospital because of not being able to stand and worse memory loss. she had stage 5 lung cancer that went to her brain. later went to her liver.

I hope this family member of yours makes it. spend as much time as you can with this person and try to find someone who has been through this to talk to. Thankfully this is the only situation I have been through, but if it does happen again I will better know how to handle it.

Also remember, everybody handles this stuff differently. Dont hold grudges or get angry with people that cannot be there. that does not mean they dont love this family member.

hope that helps a little.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by emailvasally

I dont know of any books. The Drs should be able to give you a lot of pamplets and also maybe some books to read. This is going to be a very hard thing to endure.

My experience: A good friend of mine was diagnosed about 1 1/2 yrs ago. she started off with having a lot of pain and a little memory loss. drs couldnt figure out what was wrong. then was admitted to the hospital because of not being able to stand and worse memory loss. she had stage 5 lung cancer that went to her brain. later went to her liver.

I hope this family member of yours makes it. spend as much time as you can with this person and try to find someone who has been through this to talk to. Thankfully this is the only situation I have been through, but if it does happen again I will better know how to handle it.

Also remember, everybody handles this stuff differently. Dont hold grudges or get angry with people that cannot be there. that does not mean they dont love this family member.

hope that helps a little.

It does - thanks very much.

[StuckPA]

Not sure if it'd be too late(apparently not if they're doing chemo)...but I've been hearing lately alot about Selenium and how it had been found to help with cancer or even lessen the side effects from the chemo.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by StuckPA

Not sure if it'd be too late(apparently not if they're doing chemo)...but I've been hearing lately alot about Selenium and how it had been found to help with cancer or even lessen the side effects from the chemo.

Thank you - I will research Selenium. Do you know what foods have the most of this? grains, seafood, etc?

[StuckPA]

Here is a chart I found,it should be considered though that most foods nowadays have had most nutrients processed out of them so one would have to consume an inordinate amount of these foods to obtain the necessary nutrients. Supplementation in this case would probably be best to get the levels up. One of the nutrition programs for cancer would be to stay away from red meats at that time.

Micrograms
(μg) Percent
DV*
Brazil nuts, dried, unblanched, 1 ounce 544 780
Tuna, light, canned in oil, drained, 3 ounces 63 95
Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, 1 serving 34 50
Cod, cooked, 3 ounces 32 45
Noodles, enriched, boiled, 1/2 cup 17 25
Macaroni, elbow, enriched, boiled, 1/2 cup 15 20
Egg, whole, 1 medium 14 20
Cottage cheese, low fat 2%, 1/2 cup 12 15
Oatmeal, instant, fortified, cooked, 1 cup 12 15
Rice, white, enriched, long grain, cooked, 1/2 cup 12 15
Rice, brown, long-grained, cooked, 1/2 cup 10 15
Bread,whole wheat, 1 slice 10 15
Walnuts, black, dried, 1 ounce 5 8
Cheddar cheese, 1 ounce 4

[ShepsMom]

I'm sorry to hear about your family member with stage IV, it's not an easy thing to deal with. As far as Selenium goes, i take 200mg per day in capsules. I don't know what food contains it. Overdosing on selenium can be dangerous. I don't know if Selenium really going to help your relative at this point, i take it as a supplement.

You all will need to stay positive, encouraging and keep your spirit up, for yourselves and for the person with cancer. There is always hope for a good outcome, you just have to believe in it.
I wish all of you best!!

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by ShepsMom

Overdosing on selenium can be dangerous. I don't know if Selenium really going to help your relative at this point, i take it as a supplement.

Not any more dangerous than chemo,selenium is a nutrient that's needed by the body.
However selenium is just one of many 'alternative' treatments for cancer.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by StuckPA

Not any more dangerous than chemo,selenium is a nutrient that's needed by the body.
However selenium is just one of many 'alternative' treatments for cancer.

And Selenium overdoses can kill.....

Contrary to popular belief, alternative does not equal "safe"

Fighting Spurious Complementary & Alternative Medicine (SCAM): Man dies of Selenium overdose

To the original poster, most folks have given you good advice to just support your loved one through this devastating diagnosis. I am sure you are aware of the prognosis. Don't look to the internet for "cures" that don't exist. Just be there for your family member.

[StuckPA]

Lets not just blindly dismiss possible alternatives either,to say they don't exist is just plain ignorance. So there was one guy who had an overdose vs how many a day from conventional drugs?