Providing care for a loved one who has been diagnosed with lung cancer is daunting and you most likely have many questions: What is it like to live with someone who has lung cancer? What symptoms and side effects should you expect from lung cancer and its treatments? How will the diagnosis and treatment affect your loved one emotionally? Here's what you need to know.
Lung Cancer Symptoms: What to Expect
Symptoms will vary greatly from patient to patient. Some may be experienced daily, while others less frequently or not at all. Each patient is different, and so are his or her needs. Some fairly common symptoms and side effects of lung cancer and its treatment, however, include:- Chest or back pain
- Coughing up mucus and/or blood
- Breathing problems
- Voice changes
- Noisy breathing
- Bronchitis or chronic cough
- Pneumonia or an infection of the lung
- Symptoms related to the spread of the cancer
- Pain due to surgery
- Difficulty eating
- Hair loss
- Dry, sensitive, irritated skin
Working closely with your loved one's oncologist will help you know how best to help manage the patient's specific symptoms and side effects and how to prioritize your responsibilities so that they don't become overwhelming.
Lung Cancer Symptoms: A Caregiver's Story
"She was so tired," says Karin Donnelly of her grandmother, who died of lung cancer in 2008. Donnelly, a teacher in Delaware, says that that her grandmother experienced extreme fatigue leading up to her lung cancer diagnosis, and the fatigue got even worse when she was being treated with chemotherapy. "The simplest things, like going to church," were no longer possible, says Donnelly, who describes her grandmother as a devout Catholic who never would have missed church before she had lung cancer.
Donnelly says that her grandmother was often nauseated, lost a lot of weight during her treatment, and had little appetite. In addition, the coughing that comes with lung cancer can be severe. "She would cough a lot and sometimes throw up because of it," adds Donnelly.
Lung Cancer: The Emotional Side
Besides the symptoms and side effects that come with lung cancer and its treatment, your loved one will experience a range of emotions. Feelings of fear, sadness, and even guilt are common after a lung cancer diagnosis. You can help by encouraging him or her to talk about these feelings and being there to listen.
Caring for someone with lung cancer will be a difficult journey, and it is important to get the help you need. Talk with your loved one's medical team about the most crucial responsibilities and what to expect along the way. There might be practical matters to tend to, like replacing oxygen tanks and preparing the most nutritious meals possible, as well as providing emotional support and comfort.
And don't forget to care for yourself, too. Joining a support group where you can share your experiences with other caregivers and loved ones of lung cancer patients can help you cope during this stressful time.
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