Coughing Blood to the point of needing transfusion

allim · New User Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 3

Hi All - My father was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC in August, he is 6'2" and at that time was down to 160lbs. He started Chemo - carbo, tax and new Avastin. He had three treatments and two weekends ago, started throwing up and coughing up huge amounts of blood and blood clots, a trip to the ER and three nights stay later, he had to have a transfusion. He is down to 142lbs and last weekend, went to the ER again on Sat but was released the same night. He visited his onc on Tues who is taking him off chemo until he has more strength but they took blood that day and he is down to 9.3 which is anemic. Again he had a coughing spell with blood last night but it subsided 10 minutes later. Soooo here is my question, due to the persistent cough with blood, he can barely eat, sleep or move around. He tries to choke down Boost Protein drinks. Anyone have any suggestions?

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1405

Allim,

Oh dear, it breaks my heart to hear of this news. I'm dealing with my own grown daughter and how broken hearted she is over nearing the one year mark of my husband's loss, so I'm really in tune with what you kids are going through.

Okay -- enough babble. It's the Avastin. He'll probably be taken off of it. My husband never was able to go on Avastin because he had a tendency of coughing up blood streaked sputum and there was no telling how badly he might bleed out with Avastin. Obviously this is not the chemo for your Dad, but Carbo/Taxol is still a really good first line combo. Avastin has been a more recent (a year or so) addition to first line for non-squamous cases. It's not always the best for EVERY situation as you've found out.

I sure hope things improve as he moves farther away from the last treatment. This is not something you want to repeat for his sake. I know how bad the coughing can be, but he MUST force food down if he's going to maintain any level of strength to fight the beast. He can't be choosy at this point. I know, easier said than done, but as soon as this latest spell subsides, eat, eat, eat, and drink, drink, drink. It's his life on the line here. I'm not trying to sound alarmist, but the prognosis for people who have dropped over a certain percentage of their weight prior to diagnosis is not as good.

You have my best thoughts and prayers for him to snap back and see some improvement and weight gain as the chemo takes hold and kicks some cancer butt.

Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

allim · New User Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks for the response PBJ - we will keep trying to get him to eat. He is a bit stubborn and regardless of our suggestions, he just wants to sleep. He has miranol for appetite, tussinex for cough, wellbutrin for depression and lorazepam to calm him. He is also legally blind with a glass eye... he believes the chemo has affected the little vision he had left in his good eye, which makes him need constant care. His radiologist called and said they could possible carterize some tissue in the lung to help with the bleeding - I think he would eat if we could just get the blood and cough under some form of control.

We have also suggested a stomach pick for feeding... he seems a bit hesitant to consider it.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1405

Allim,

Chemo is notorious for causing blurred vision. It usually clears after a week or so, but comes back with each cycle of chemo.

Having fun yet?

Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

allim · New User Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 3

PBJ - not having fun, but knowing that the chemo may be the cause of the blurred vision is great news. Before, my father was so good at hiding his 20% vision, most people did not know... now he can't navigate the house etc. I sure hope your right. He used to be an inspirational speaker, life and executive coach and to not be able to see or speak well(the cough makes him sound like he has laryngitis) anymore is dampering his spirit.

koikkeril · Super Moderator Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 334

I am very sorry to hear that your father is coughing up this much blood..It must be very alarming for all concerned...
I hope it can get under control soon...Like PBJ says when it settles give him his favorite food and as much as he can eat and drink try your level best to build him back up.
In the meantime I will keep you in my thoughts and pray for you..
God Bless..Koik
_________________
Husband diagnosed with stage 1V NSCLC Febuary 2007.....Lost his battle August 27th 2008 but lives on in my heart.

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 198

Try mixing the Boost with ice cream for added calories and palatability. I wish I'd thought of that fro my mom.....someone suggested it here a few months back fro someone else. Also, mom liked tomato soup, you could try that. Has some taste.

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