Why is swelling bad in a chemo patient?

I'm sorry you have to be going through all of this, it is always a challenge when a parent is going downhill because it is almost always a new and frightening experience. We have no references really and how to act--well I just say play it by ear and treat them as close to "normal" as possible and just eek thru one day at a time.

As for the leg swelling and other various edema sites, it is very possible that the chemo is now having a very negative impact on his heart function--aka--cardiotoxic induced CHF. This can lead to pericarditis or water around the heard and often lungs too(esp w/lung cancer) which has to be drained off to get relief and restore some of the function to those organs. Maybe ask about having his heart checked to see if it is the culprit and if so, they can give him as much diuretic as he can tolerate.

Lastly, have you considered getting him enrolled into his local hospice center so that they can help you out? This care is 100% covered as part of his social security benefit and they will provide ALL of his needed nursing (in-home and or at the hospice center), ALL of his medical supplies and needed drugs and prescriptions--no co-pays, and any special equipment like a hospital bed or oxygen machine for his home use to make his life more comfortable. They are just the best resource anyone in your shoes can call upon and are almost always staffed by the top nurses in the field. I strongly encourage you to call them in the morning and see what they can do to help your family at this time.

Best Wishes

Edema is common with some types of chemo.

Chemo also puts a strain on kidneys.

At this stage, it is up to him to do what makes him comfortable.

If the swelling is not causing him discomfort then allow him to leave them down. It may make him feel like less of an invalid.

The edema will probably worsen. You know it is really bad when there are pockets like fluid filled blisters larger than oranges on the ankles with little that can be done.

Compression stockings may help - if he will wear them. Lymphodema massage may help if you can find a suitably qualified practitioner.

You need to be aware that at this stage it is what he is comfortable with that matters.

If you wouldn't block every intelligent person on here, you might have some answers...

You don't want him to live and go in peace with a stage 4 lung cancer??? COPD is terminal in itself. And yes, his condition AND the chemo can cause terrible edema and yes, lasix helps.

Not to mention, with emphysema, he needs to be inclined so fluid clears his lungs.

My last round of chemo caused edema below my knees and it was very uncomfortable for me. My skin felt very tight and it was difficult to walk. I almost *had* to elevate my feet to relieve the pressure.

I'd leave the health decisions to your dad. He knows what makes him comfortable or not. It's hard on family members to watch a loved one go through such a process, but I wouldn't "force" (I use that word gently) anything upon him.

Your dad's heart is always working overtime to deal with everything that's been thrown at him. Ask *him* how to help him and how to help make him comfortable.

Unfortunately, you are going to lose your dad to this disease. My aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 69 and she refused all treatments for it since she was a chain 4-packs-a-day smoker. She had extreme edema as well and was pretty much unrecognizable at the end. She accepted narcotics for the pain and died peacefully at home with her daughter at her side.