Hi buddy,

I lost someone dear to me, to lung cancer as well. Diagnosed Adenocarcinoma Stage IV. She fought and survived for close to 5 years. I'm not going to give you advises on what the course of treatment and what to eat or "cancer preventing food" or anything like that.

What I can share with you is my experience. You/your family should get educated, and know about the drugs that is given to the patient. Get involved in her treatment, and try to read up on the drugs that is suggested before making a decision. Join focus groups and forums, and stay in the know for latest developments in the treatment of your particular kind of cancer. Just so you know, many countries/hospitals offer free clinical trials for newly developed drugs. We've done a few in Singapore General Hospital previously.

While taking advice from people is good and those giving advice often mean well, what you should prioritise is the patient's happiness and general well-being. Do not restrict what the person want to eat or do just because "it will make the cancer worst" or anything that people tell you. What I can tell you that there's nothing worst that can happen to you if you already got the big-C. Maintain quality of life. There's no point surviving if the patient cannot maintain a good quality of life. Take into account the patient's feelings when making major decisions like changing drugs, or second opinions. Remember, happiness and high hopes are often better than the best cancer medication.

This is going to be a trying time for you and your family. You will see true colours of friends, family and strangers. You will find help and support in places you least expect, likewise with rejection. Ignore the rejections/true colour of people, we are only human, and take all the support that you need. These are often given freely. Do not hesitate to ask for help even when its a listening ear.

There will be times when the results are good, there will be more times when the results are not so good. Stay strong, or show that you are strong. Do not be discouraged. Your support means more to the patient than you know. So you have to show her that you are strong for her. Again i stress here, maintain quality of life. Go out and celebrate when you have good results. Pull a strong face, "try again" when its not that good. Moods, feelings, and thoughts have more effects than you realise.

All in all, good luck, stay strong.