What Does the Stage of Lung Cancer Mean for Your Parent? 

If your aging parent has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, it is likely that you received a tremendous amount of information right from the beginning. This information can seem overwhelming, and you may not even feel as though you understand all of it, and what it means. By breaking down the information the doctor gave you, and making sure you understand each piece, you can better understand what your senior is facing, and what they have ahead of them.

One detail the doctor may have given you when discussing your senior's diagnosis with lung cancer is the stage of the disease. The stage of cancer describes the severity of the condition, as well as how it is developing. The assigned stage is based on three details the doctor can ascertain from examining the cancer. These details include:

• The size of the tumor, as well as whether it has affected the body around its location
• Whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes near the location 
• Whether the cancer has spread from its location of origin to other areas of the body, such as the bones, liver, kidneys, or others

The staging of cancer begins with something known as occult stage. Also referred to as hidden cancer, this is the stage at which  a tumor can't be assessed, or cancer cells have appeared in a test such as saliva, but cannot be found in other areas of the body. From there, the stages are defined by each of the pieces of information regarding the tumor, the spread to the lymph nodes, and the metastasis, or spread through the body. Knowing this stage at diagnosis helps you to understand the severity of the condition, and prepare you for the care your parent will need.

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult that is living with a serious medical condition such as cancer can be extremely challenging. Introducing elder care in to your parents routine early in their experience with this disease can be instrumental in both helping your parent cope with the effects of this disease, and to preserving your well-being. the highly customized services of an elder care provider are specifically designed to meet your senior's needs in the ways that are right for them. This means that regardless of what your parent is going through, the elderly home care services provider will strive to offer services designed to fulfill their care needs, show them respect and dignity, boost their health and well-being, and also encourage independence and a fulfilling and enjoyable quality of life. This ensures your senior is supported and cared for as an individual living their life, rather than just a person fighting a disease.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME ELDER CARE IN STREETERIVILLE, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.