survivors of Terminal Stage 4 lung cancer

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  • CaringRN
    CaringRN Member Posts: 1
    pbr said:

    Confused
    My husband has stage 4 lung cancer. The first three treatments of chemo have given mixed results. They are going to do a second phase treatment next time.
    They said that he is not a candidate for radiation of the lungs. (He had a brain tumor the took out and used radiation for that). He has two tumors on each side of his lungs and in his lymph nodes.
    He had a cold and got bronchitis and is now on breathing treatments.
    What can I expect?
    Do other places have different treatments?
    We went to MGH and the prognosis was grim.
    I don't even know what to ask.
    Help.

    Lung Cancer RN
    I have been working with Lung cancer patients for quite a while now and I am sorry about your confusion. Let's just say you are not alone. They normally do not radiate multiple areas, which it sounds like your husband has. (Unless they become bothersome - painful, etc.) So it sounds like they are treating things the way they should - with multiple chemos. The first treatment didn't work, so they will try another one and should continue to do so. If they decide to stop, seek another opinion. There are trials out there and I can not tell you if there is one out there your husband is appropriate for. Everyone is different so just hang in there! Let me know if you have any other questions! I am here to help! I have a passion for what I do and I want to help people through this difficult time in their lives.........the last thing a patient or family should have to do is wonder if what they are doing is the right thing.
  • nanaof7
    nanaof7 Member Posts: 127

    Waiting for chemo after radiation
    Fran83 -
    I'm fairly close to your Mom's age (53) and diagnosis - NSCLC with mets to the brain. It was only last December when the brain mets were discovered. I had surgery - a breeze - and then 20 or so whole-brain radiation treatments (and 5 more focused sessions), which were less than a breeze and took a couple of months to "recover" from. I say "recover" in a general way - I'm not so fatigued any more but I have some memory problems, never as much as I read about, though.

    Anyway, my oncologist also had me wait before starting medication (Tarceva) - it was at least a month. They want to give your body some time to repair itself from damage done by the radiation before slamming it with more toxic drugs :)

    As it turns out I was thankful for the break since I had a pretty bad reaction to the first high-dosage Tarceva (better now, slowly increasing the dose), and I can't imagine suffering through that while trying to come back from the radiation. So there are reasons for waiting.

    Best of luck to your Mom!

    Deb

    Fran83 mets to the brain
    how did they discover the mets to the brain I had surgery for adenocarcinoma the end of may
    my dr. does chest xrays and cts but nothing else. so how am I going to know if it spreads to somewhere else the likely places I hear are the brain liver and bone. any info you can give me will help
  • Ra12
    Ra12 Member Posts: 1
    CaringRN said:

    Lung Cancer RN
    I have been working with Lung cancer patients for quite a while now and I am sorry about your confusion. Let's just say you are not alone. They normally do not radiate multiple areas, which it sounds like your husband has. (Unless they become bothersome - painful, etc.) So it sounds like they are treating things the way they should - with multiple chemos. The first treatment didn't work, so they will try another one and should continue to do so. If they decide to stop, seek another opinion. There are trials out there and I can not tell you if there is one out there your husband is appropriate for. Everyone is different so just hang in there! Let me know if you have any other questions! I am here to help! I have a passion for what I do and I want to help people through this difficult time in their lives.........the last thing a patient or family should have to do is wonder if what they are doing is the right thing.

    Stage IV lung cancer
    Thank you for posting here! I was diagnosed October 4, 2009, and am still in shock. It met. to my brain (very small lesions), and so I had to go through 14 days of whole brain radiation before I could start the chemo for my lungs. I had my first chemo Nov 25th - went pretty well as far a side effects - mostly just tired, yucky feeling, with NO appetite. I've done very well since then, though my cough hasn't gotten any better, and I found out yesterday that my annual pap smear showed lung cancer cells in my uterus. I also found out yesterday that a couple of drug trials I was hoping to qualify for are not an option for me (bad day, yesterday was...). Sooo, in a search for "Plan B", in case subsequent chemo sessions don't work, I've been on-line looking at all the big cancer centers around the country. I wanted to avoid traveling, as I have 3 kids at home, who need their mother, but now I think it's time to consider how much they need me now vs. the future (I vote future). I've gotten some encouraging news and ideas from this blog, but remain confused as to how I will know the best course to take and right cancer center to try. The one in Seattle (BioScience Research Institute) sounds great, but it's a long way for me to travel. I am in Western NY, so I'm thinking Sloane Kettering or Dana Farber - but again, I want to get the best treatment, so I'll go where I have to. Please help!

    God bless all on this site,

    Laura
  • Shevis
    Shevis Member Posts: 2
    Fran83 said:

    that's good news
    Dear Ruth,

    I am glad to know that your mom will finally be getting treatment and you now have hope for her to save this devil!

    If you mom is quite weak, maybe you can ask your doctor on the possibility of having a chemo sensitivity test, to find out which drugs would not work or would be least effective...

    i do not know much about it... and my mom will have to probably go to another town to have it as they do not have it everywhere.....

    My mom is doing fine for the moment. She is still doing her Whole Brain Radiation (WBR) and once she completes that she will have to do a CT scan to check if it is working... then 1 month rest to recuperate and then she will be starting with chemo. My mom has brain and bone metastisis.

    Keep me informed about how your mom is progressing with her treatment.

    Good luck and let's pray for the best.

    Fran

    Chemo sensitivity test
    Where was the chemo sensitivity test done and how long did it take to get the results back? My husband was just diagnosed with stage IV of the lung and he doesn't want to waste time taking chemo with the wrong medicines.
  • WingnPrayer
    WingnPrayer Member Posts: 27

    There are miracles
    My mom was diagnosed in 2006 with stage IV lung cancer that spread to her brain. No breathing problems, no lung problems at all, just small specks in the lungs.. One brain tumor. She's had a surgery to remove the tumor in her brain. Chemo, and radtiation on brain and lungs.
    I will tell you that she is doing awesome concidering all shes been going through. Although the tumors are back in the brain as of 2009, with the radiation they treated her with on her brain and the fact that shes been doing Creative VISUALIZATION the tumors finally shrunk in her brain AGAIN!
    Lung cancer is sneaky so keeping on top of it is key. PET scans are key.
    Focus on the positive and get rid of worries. Sometimes stepping outside of the box and using inner strength can work miracles. Not saying my moms a miracle, but the attitude is what will keep anyone going in the proper direction.

    There Are Miracles
    Thank you for your post. I think finally I found someone with my specifics. As of November.... 11th (?), I've had Stage 4, Lung, with (2) Metz-to-brain. The lung tumour is at the upper left of lung & metz are at (1) at brain stem (they've told me it'll be a "Maintainance" site) & (2) at back of brain ( either operable or handled with Whole Brain RADs which I have just come off of a 2 week treatment). I am about to start a "chemo class" tomorrow or soon afterwards. Then start a schedule something like a dose every 3 weeks(?). By the way, I was told that the effects of my RADs will coninue for a few more weeks, even though I may have stopped taking them. They are still reducing the spots as well as reducing the pressure itself.

    "Creative Visualation?" Sounds interesting. See, NoDramaMama, I'm finding out that is how we find out about our particular kind of cancer. Example: I awoke in November with Double-Vision (Brain stem tumour) and with a dizziness issue (Back of brain tumour). Like a typical guy, I then decide to wait a week before Wifey says to go to Family Practioner just to make sure it isn't Blood Pressure Meds related. That's when Family Practioner did an X-Ray, then sent me to a Neurologist for another scan that confirmed cancer. I woke up and I was already in Stage 4 non-small, with squamous cell carcenoma (spelling?). We find out only after considerable damage is done, but there is hope. I am reading about more and more survivors (like in this discussion board thread) as I roam around the internet gathering information.

    I am happy to report progress on the Double-Vision insomuch that it has now become intermittant. It is continuing to improve, so maybe the Whole Brain RADs are doing the trick. Hopefully with the I.V.-type chemo planned the brain and lung tumour will be dealt with satisfactorily. Maybe I can even get driving privalidges back! Please keep in touch. And, you can call me "Rog", Okay
  • WingnPrayer
    WingnPrayer Member Posts: 27
    thanks for starting this thread
    Thank you for starting this thread, Stardust1. I'm meeting some people with our particular situation. I'm meeting even those like mine who have "Metz-to-brain".
  • sknowlton
    sknowlton Member Posts: 1
    Ra12 said:

    Stage IV lung cancer
    Thank you for posting here! I was diagnosed October 4, 2009, and am still in shock. It met. to my brain (very small lesions), and so I had to go through 14 days of whole brain radiation before I could start the chemo for my lungs. I had my first chemo Nov 25th - went pretty well as far a side effects - mostly just tired, yucky feeling, with NO appetite. I've done very well since then, though my cough hasn't gotten any better, and I found out yesterday that my annual pap smear showed lung cancer cells in my uterus. I also found out yesterday that a couple of drug trials I was hoping to qualify for are not an option for me (bad day, yesterday was...). Sooo, in a search for "Plan B", in case subsequent chemo sessions don't work, I've been on-line looking at all the big cancer centers around the country. I wanted to avoid traveling, as I have 3 kids at home, who need their mother, but now I think it's time to consider how much they need me now vs. the future (I vote future). I've gotten some encouraging news and ideas from this blog, but remain confused as to how I will know the best course to take and right cancer center to try. The one in Seattle (BioScience Research Institute) sounds great, but it's a long way for me to travel. I am in Western NY, so I'm thinking Sloane Kettering or Dana Farber - but again, I want to get the best treatment, so I'll go where I have to. Please help!

    God bless all on this site,

    Laura

    Stage IV lung cancer
    I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in June of 2009. It was Stage 4 with mets to the liver and another part of my lung. I had smoked all my life, quit 4 years ago and hoped the cancer would skip me. It didn't. It was found with a CT scan - my lung had liquid and I had to have 2 thoracentesis to get rid of it. The first month I felt pretty bad, but after my second chemo I started feeling better. The chemo gave me no side effects except for the Neulasta shot at the end to raise my white cell count. All my bones ached for about 4 days after the shot. CT scans showed the tumors getting smaller and a pet scan (after my 6th chemo) at the end showed no evidence of cancer. My oncologist followed the MD Anderson protocol (vincristine, cisplatin and carboplatin - I think those are right.

    Anyway, I am 74 years old, cancer free at the moment and have been told that SCLC definitely will come back at some point, so they will now be testing me often (CT scans and Pet scans every couple months. I found out that if it does come back, that they can't use the same chemo drug because it doesn't work twice in a row, but that there are others that work as well, and that the cancer may come back somewhere else. Even so, my doctor promised my some quality time and I'm having it now! I fixed Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner by myself, did the tree and took it down, sent stuff to my 4 kids, 11 grandkids and 2 great grands. I'm not ready to give up and I have a very positive attitude. I live with my husband - he has been shattered by all this after 47 years of marriage, but we are doing very well, considering this last year.

    One thing that absolutely every doctor and caregiver I met told me that a positive attitude can work wonders and I believe it.
  • Allycat21
    Allycat21 Member Posts: 1
    cobra1122 said:

    hope all are well
    Just got a new check up and still confusing the Docs, My cancer has spread more but they still don't get my happy go lucky attitude. Well I aim to out last anything they say.. so the time limit thing is just a loose reference, you can keep going with the right attitude..

    My Father's Diagnosis
    My father, a 55 year old smoker of 40 years has just been diagnosed (not suprisingly) with Lung Cancer this past week. He had no idea he had cancer. Infact, 2 years ago he underwent back surgery to replace his L2,3 and 4 with a bone graft. They had herniated and ruptured, and were setting off a chain reaction. Therefore the graft was necessary. He had that surgery Thanksgiving week of 2008. For the past 2 years he has undergone much therapy, checkups and scans of various sorts. He has been X-rayed and checked multiple times and there were never any indications of cancer. This surgery and the subsequent months of pain medications led to a addiction to pain medication. Early in 2009 he was able to finally kick his addiction to the percocet. Around mid-2009 he started experiencing new pains in his legs and other parts of his body. Of course, as most, he just took tylenol or whatever he could and assumed that it was somehow related to the major surgery and the pains that he hadnt noticed before because of the high volume of pain medications he was taking. He ignored the pains. Around September of 2009 his ribs began to hurt. He went to the doctor and was told to just take it easy, there was a fracture. Nothing more was done at that time and no cancer was discovered. Thanksgiving of 2009 he began experiencing an increase in the pains in his lower right leg, ankle and shoulder area. Again, assumed it was wear and tear. He already has screws in his ankle since a injury he sustained as an athlete in his mid-20's. He just assumed the pain was a part of growing older and all the rough and tumble activities of his youth. I started to notice a tremendous decrease in his energy, outlook, and color around that time along with what appeared to be rapid aging. He just suddenly started to look frail and older and not the brave, strong (sometimes scary) man I remember!! Very strict, disiplined parent who taught me many things, stubborness among those :) The week before Christmas he woke up with excruciating pains in his shoulder area. He went to the doctor who took an X-ray and said that he had hurt his rotator cup. They put him in a sling and sent him home. He also took a full body scan to see if there was a common denominator between the pains he had been experiencing, which other doctors just dismissed. Wednesday of last week we recieved the news that 17 spots showed up on his body scan. His ribs (which had been hurting in September) had broken and his alleged rotator cup was actually a fracture to his humerous, collarbone and clavicle. The reason: Lung cancer that had metastatized to the bones. Less than a week later, yesterday, he underwent surgery. Because his bones are already so severly deteriorated where the cancer has spread, they surgically implanted metal in his right Tibia and Left Femur. They told us after surgery that they found (just prior to operating) that his shoulders/clavicle will need to be stabalized as well as both his arms. His bones are already so weakened that they have instructed him not to use his arms to pick himself up, sit up or anything. They are saying that even the slightest pressure will cause fractures/breaks. This is completely blindsiding the family as he was fine until last Wed (as far as we knew). All of the sudden he is this very fragile man who is being told he will not be able to utilize his extremities until surgically stabalized. In just the past week I have watched his front porch become handicap accessible with a ramp, a power chair has been brought to his home, he has undergone surgery, he his frail and in a bad way right now. We are being told the cancer originated in the Lung (and there is a mass present) but beyond that we are not being told ANYTHING about the odds/treatments etc. My research has concluded that simply based on the fact that it is Lung Cancer with Mets to the bone that it is staged as IV and that the prognosis is very very grim. But he is not being told anything other than that he will be wheelchair bound for a tremendous length of time. The paperwork has already been filed to retire him disabled from Civil Service. It's just all happening at once. In everything that I'm reading my own mood and mindset is getting worse. Of course I was shocked by the initial news, depressed, angry, denial, all 5 stages of grief were pretty much covered over a short 2 day period. The rest of the week has been filled with prepping for surgery, surgery itself and preparing for the aftermath and what might lie in the near future. It is reassuring to read your story. I hope my father has as much fight in him as you do. He's always been a strong man, but he already seems so defeated. His brother just died in November from the exact same thing and his father died from the same thing several years ago. The same exact trend with both of them, fine one day, diagnosed the next, dead within a very short period of time. For my grandfather it was a few months, for my uncle, a few weeks. My father appears to be dwelling on those familiar odds. And in my reading I've learned that this appears to be a likely outcome, but your story, gives me that little ray of hope in an otherwise dark and dreary world (atleast at the moment). It does appear that my entire world is falling apart in front of me. In June my father gave me away at my wedding, he appeared fine! And now, there is the possibility that he won't be around on my first wedding anniversary. I think that is the initial mindset when you recieve this type of news. Some moments I'm positive in my outlook and other moments I can't help but think about the other possibility. I know that's my brains way of "wrapping my head around" something my heart just can't comprehend. Thank you for inspring me, hopefully, sharing these types of positive stories will inspire my father as well. Best of luck with your continued treatment!!!!
  • nrn33
    nrn33 Member Posts: 2

    stage IV lung cancer survivor
    I was diagnosed on Dec 18 2003 with a pancoast tumor. It was inoperable and they really didn't know what to do with me. THey didn't think I could survive it because the tumor was sitting on the top of my right lung, not inside and pushing my esphogus over in the frontand growing into my spine in the back. I underwent chemo and radiation for a total of 6 months with radiation twice a day for the last couple weeks. I have now started my 6th year of remmission when no hope of surviving existed. As a result of this i have also developed horners syndrome which they say should have put the nail in my coffin.I am going to be 54 years this month and no matter what I wake up each day and live it the best way I know how becauseI don't know what tommorrow will bring. Pancoast tumor patients are not supposed to survive more than 5 years. I am truly blessed. If anyone else has this type of cancer I would love to hear from you.

    God bless everyone
    Diana

    pancoast fighter
    Diana,

    Hi, I was told last Febuary 2009 that I was stage 3b cancer with spread into the lymph nodes in several areas , with Horner's , I was told 6 months to 2 years . I am 41 years old. Doing carboplatin and taxol chemo every 3 weeks .Just did a Pet scan last week and go tomorrow for the results. So far the chemo has not been too bad , mainly tired alot and have various bone pains. I am like you and I try not to dwell on time lines as no one knows when your time will come or if even the cancer will be what kills you. The hardest part of this whole ordeal has been being strong for my family and trying to prepare them for the possible times ahead.Also not taking everything out on my husband ....he catches the worst of my crazy emotions.
    What are you doing treatment wise or did do ?What kind of chemo did you take?

    God bless and keep up the good fight,
    Nan
  • cobra1122
    cobra1122 Member Posts: 244
    Allycat21 said:

    My Father's Diagnosis
    My father, a 55 year old smoker of 40 years has just been diagnosed (not suprisingly) with Lung Cancer this past week. He had no idea he had cancer. Infact, 2 years ago he underwent back surgery to replace his L2,3 and 4 with a bone graft. They had herniated and ruptured, and were setting off a chain reaction. Therefore the graft was necessary. He had that surgery Thanksgiving week of 2008. For the past 2 years he has undergone much therapy, checkups and scans of various sorts. He has been X-rayed and checked multiple times and there were never any indications of cancer. This surgery and the subsequent months of pain medications led to a addiction to pain medication. Early in 2009 he was able to finally kick his addiction to the percocet. Around mid-2009 he started experiencing new pains in his legs and other parts of his body. Of course, as most, he just took tylenol or whatever he could and assumed that it was somehow related to the major surgery and the pains that he hadnt noticed before because of the high volume of pain medications he was taking. He ignored the pains. Around September of 2009 his ribs began to hurt. He went to the doctor and was told to just take it easy, there was a fracture. Nothing more was done at that time and no cancer was discovered. Thanksgiving of 2009 he began experiencing an increase in the pains in his lower right leg, ankle and shoulder area. Again, assumed it was wear and tear. He already has screws in his ankle since a injury he sustained as an athlete in his mid-20's. He just assumed the pain was a part of growing older and all the rough and tumble activities of his youth. I started to notice a tremendous decrease in his energy, outlook, and color around that time along with what appeared to be rapid aging. He just suddenly started to look frail and older and not the brave, strong (sometimes scary) man I remember!! Very strict, disiplined parent who taught me many things, stubborness among those :) The week before Christmas he woke up with excruciating pains in his shoulder area. He went to the doctor who took an X-ray and said that he had hurt his rotator cup. They put him in a sling and sent him home. He also took a full body scan to see if there was a common denominator between the pains he had been experiencing, which other doctors just dismissed. Wednesday of last week we recieved the news that 17 spots showed up on his body scan. His ribs (which had been hurting in September) had broken and his alleged rotator cup was actually a fracture to his humerous, collarbone and clavicle. The reason: Lung cancer that had metastatized to the bones. Less than a week later, yesterday, he underwent surgery. Because his bones are already so severly deteriorated where the cancer has spread, they surgically implanted metal in his right Tibia and Left Femur. They told us after surgery that they found (just prior to operating) that his shoulders/clavicle will need to be stabalized as well as both his arms. His bones are already so weakened that they have instructed him not to use his arms to pick himself up, sit up or anything. They are saying that even the slightest pressure will cause fractures/breaks. This is completely blindsiding the family as he was fine until last Wed (as far as we knew). All of the sudden he is this very fragile man who is being told he will not be able to utilize his extremities until surgically stabalized. In just the past week I have watched his front porch become handicap accessible with a ramp, a power chair has been brought to his home, he has undergone surgery, he his frail and in a bad way right now. We are being told the cancer originated in the Lung (and there is a mass present) but beyond that we are not being told ANYTHING about the odds/treatments etc. My research has concluded that simply based on the fact that it is Lung Cancer with Mets to the bone that it is staged as IV and that the prognosis is very very grim. But he is not being told anything other than that he will be wheelchair bound for a tremendous length of time. The paperwork has already been filed to retire him disabled from Civil Service. It's just all happening at once. In everything that I'm reading my own mood and mindset is getting worse. Of course I was shocked by the initial news, depressed, angry, denial, all 5 stages of grief were pretty much covered over a short 2 day period. The rest of the week has been filled with prepping for surgery, surgery itself and preparing for the aftermath and what might lie in the near future. It is reassuring to read your story. I hope my father has as much fight in him as you do. He's always been a strong man, but he already seems so defeated. His brother just died in November from the exact same thing and his father died from the same thing several years ago. The same exact trend with both of them, fine one day, diagnosed the next, dead within a very short period of time. For my grandfather it was a few months, for my uncle, a few weeks. My father appears to be dwelling on those familiar odds. And in my reading I've learned that this appears to be a likely outcome, but your story, gives me that little ray of hope in an otherwise dark and dreary world (atleast at the moment). It does appear that my entire world is falling apart in front of me. In June my father gave me away at my wedding, he appeared fine! And now, there is the possibility that he won't be around on my first wedding anniversary. I think that is the initial mindset when you recieve this type of news. Some moments I'm positive in my outlook and other moments I can't help but think about the other possibility. I know that's my brains way of "wrapping my head around" something my heart just can't comprehend. Thank you for inspring me, hopefully, sharing these types of positive stories will inspire my father as well. Best of luck with your continued treatment!!!!

    Our Prayers
    My family history is full of heart disease and cancer, so I can related to your Father think of the odds some times, but it doesnt mean the same for him. I hope that he can grasp a positive attitude and hang on to it, it will help him and everyone else.
    I am presently on Hospice, was given on Jan 09 4-6 months left, well its been over a year on Hospice (2+yrs since cancer diagnosis) and I am still going, I think it is becasue I have a Positive attitude and a great support system that has helped greatly.


    I wish your Father, You and You family a peace to accept what we cant change and the hope to cherish the time you do have, cherish it, no one has a forsure thing, anything can happen to anyone, even those with out this disease. Just hold strong to each other and cherish the day you have, and life for the moment, you cant change or live in the future, it will be here soon enough.

    Our Prayers and Best Wishes to Your Father,You and Your Family,
    Dan cobra1122) and Margi Harmon
  • marijune
    marijune Member Posts: 45
    Skybuf said:

    me too
    Hi Soccerfreak, remember me Skybug.....was on the breast cancer chat and well.....now here I am again, lung ca.....just diagnosed as secondary....on meds and having to do chemo rada again.....like a rollercoaster eh!

    Breast cancer now lung
    Skybuf, I had breast cancer 5 years ago, now thru a tumor marker test I was told I have lung cancer in right lung and 2 in lymph nodes. started chemo and radiation. How are you making out?
  • marijune
    marijune Member Posts: 45
    CaringRN said:

    Lung Cancer RN
    I have been working with Lung cancer patients for quite a while now and I am sorry about your confusion. Let's just say you are not alone. They normally do not radiate multiple areas, which it sounds like your husband has. (Unless they become bothersome - painful, etc.) So it sounds like they are treating things the way they should - with multiple chemos. The first treatment didn't work, so they will try another one and should continue to do so. If they decide to stop, seek another opinion. There are trials out there and I can not tell you if there is one out there your husband is appropriate for. Everyone is different so just hang in there! Let me know if you have any other questions! I am here to help! I have a passion for what I do and I want to help people through this difficult time in their lives.........the last thing a patient or family should have to do is wonder if what they are doing is the right thing.

    Why would treatment be changed
    caringrn,
    Can you tell me why my treatment has been changed. I have nsclc & 2 lymph nodes. I did 7 days of radiation and 1 day of carbo and taxol and 1 day of taxol. I was susposed to get 8 days of radiation but dr says they changed it to 7 days of rads for week , 2nd week will be 8 days of rads then a ct scan, third phase will be 7 days of rad instead of the original 8 days. Just dont understand why they cut my radiation treatments in week 1 and week 3 down to 7 times instead of 8 times.
  • kchristn
    kchristn Member Posts: 1
    kleimank said:

    MY FATHER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE IV LUNG CANCER
    My father was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer on September 07, we were told that surgery was not an option for him but it was his only possible cure; we saw three different doctors including a Dr at the MD Anderson, and we were told that surgery was not an option, my father is only 50 yrs old and we were giving a very bad prognosis. I have never giving up, I did a research online and found the best Drs and surgens for lung cancer and wrote to all of them, alot of Drs responded. we live in Austin TX we ended up going to Seattle WA where my dad had a rib an lung resection; he also went through chemo and radiation before and after surgery. On February of 08 we were told that he was cancer free but 7 months later we found out that he had Brain metastasis, we were debastated, because of the location of the tumor he can not get a surgery and he was giving of course a horrible prognosis, like I said we have never given up, he got radiation and a "new" chemo for the brain called Temador, it has worked wonderful for him, Drs. are very impress ans shocked of how well he is doing right now, for the last 6 months his Tumor in the brain keeps getting smaller and there is no desease in any other part of his body including the lung. The Dr. told us that he is doing better than 95% of the people with metastatic lung cancer and that the way he has reacted to treatement is all we can hope for. It has been terrible for my family but we have never giving up and we have done the impossible to get through this; dont let any Dr. or anyone to tell you how far you and your wife can get, keep fighting, do research talk to diffent Drs., look into medial trails, We were told by the Dr that my father is basically a miracle I am sure your wife can be too but never give up and keep fighting and you will be in my prayers.

    need you help
    Kleimank: We just found out today that my mom has lung cancer and we are all in shock and looking for any help we can get. You said you found the best Drs and surgeons for lung cancer and am wondering if you could please share those names with me. We are considering going to Mayo clinic which is not far from us or the University of Wisconsin Cancer Center. Are any of the doctors that yuou found from those centers. Any help you can give me would be so appreciated. Thank you for your time
  • halfpint1
    halfpint1 Member Posts: 6
    suebloom said:

    surviving
    I am a survivor of stage iv lung cancer......diagnosed 7/08.

    stage 4 lung cancer
    That is what I wanted to hear. I am strong and I will beat this. Survival stories are what I am looking to hear. I think it is the faith you have and the will to live and the attitude. Thank you,
  • diegogon74
    diegogon74 Member Posts: 3
    hi
    I just got diagnosed with lung cancer stage 4, i'm 36 and i would love to know more about this, everything is completely new for me, so so far i think i'm a survivor, if there is anyone else out there with the same type of cancer i would love to hear form you but i don'tknow if this is the right channel, my e mail is diegogon74@yahoo.com.mx thanks a lot!
  • diegogon74
    diegogon74 Member Posts: 3
    hi
    I just got diagnosed with lung cancer stage 4, i'm 36 and i would love to know more about this, everything is completely new for me, so so far i think i'm a survivor, if there is anyone else out there with the same type of cancer i would love to hear form you but i don'tknow if this is the right channel, my e mail is diegogon74@yahoo.com.mx thanks a lot!
  • LULLA
    LULLA Member Posts: 7

    hi
    I just got diagnosed with lung cancer stage 4, i'm 36 and i would love to know more about this, everything is completely new for me, so so far i think i'm a survivor, if there is anyone else out there with the same type of cancer i would love to hear form you but i don'tknow if this is the right channel, my e mail is diegogon74@yahoo.com.mx thanks a lot!

    WHAT TYPE OF LUNG CANCER DO YOU HAVE
    HI
    DO YOU KNOW WHAT TYPE OF LUNG CANCER YOU HAVE? WHAT IS YOUR TREATMENT GOING TO BE? BE POSITIVE THEIR ARE SO MANY SURVIVORS ON THIS WEB SITE IT IS SO ENCOURAGING TO READ ABOUT THEIR TREATMENTS AND RECOVERY.

    GOOD LUCK

    LULLA
  • diegogon74
    diegogon74 Member Posts: 3
    LULLA said:

    WHAT TYPE OF LUNG CANCER DO YOU HAVE
    HI
    DO YOU KNOW WHAT TYPE OF LUNG CANCER YOU HAVE? WHAT IS YOUR TREATMENT GOING TO BE? BE POSITIVE THEIR ARE SO MANY SURVIVORS ON THIS WEB SITE IT IS SO ENCOURAGING TO READ ABOUT THEIR TREATMENTS AND RECOVERY.

    GOOD LUCK

    LULLA

    hi
    the doctors told me it was non small cell lung cancer stage 4, thats all i know, but the doctors weren't very optimistic about the prognosis they told me the average was 1 to 2 years and that they would be very surprised if they see someone reach 5 years, so i want to know if that is true or if there is more people out there with the same type of cancer and now is cured or has lived more that 5 years, i just want to know what are my options, thanks a lot for answering my questions, bye!
  • cobra1122
    cobra1122 Member Posts: 244

    hi
    the doctors told me it was non small cell lung cancer stage 4, thats all i know, but the doctors weren't very optimistic about the prognosis they told me the average was 1 to 2 years and that they would be very surprised if they see someone reach 5 years, so i want to know if that is true or if there is more people out there with the same type of cancer and now is cured or has lived more that 5 years, i just want to know what are my options, thanks a lot for answering my questions, bye!

    There Are
    There are many survivors with over 5 yrs under their belt, if you read my bio you will see that I have a complicated health status, but I am 2+ yrs and still going strong. No one can say forsure how long anyone has. We are all heading in the same direction, sick or not, and I for one have out lived many of my non-cancer friends and I just turned 50 in May.
    Research your prognosis from your Doc, find out what the tests say. If your Doc doesnt want to talk, make him/her til you understand. It is your life, and you have rights. If your still unhappy get a second opinion.
    There are many people who have rang the 5 year bell and are still going so dont give up, just palnt your feet frim and get ready to rumble. Kick some Cancer butt, You have a lot more to do with your treatment and your staying alive than anyone else.

    Our Prayers and Best Wishes to You, Your Family, and Everyone,

    Dan(cobra1122) and Margi Harmon
  • BillieBruce
    BillieBruce Member Posts: 3
    cobra1122 said:

    There Are
    There are many survivors with over 5 yrs under their belt, if you read my bio you will see that I have a complicated health status, but I am 2+ yrs and still going strong. No one can say forsure how long anyone has. We are all heading in the same direction, sick or not, and I for one have out lived many of my non-cancer friends and I just turned 50 in May.
    Research your prognosis from your Doc, find out what the tests say. If your Doc doesnt want to talk, make him/her til you understand. It is your life, and you have rights. If your still unhappy get a second opinion.
    There are many people who have rang the 5 year bell and are still going so dont give up, just palnt your feet frim and get ready to rumble. Kick some Cancer butt, You have a lot more to do with your treatment and your staying alive than anyone else.

    Our Prayers and Best Wishes to You, Your Family, and Everyone,

    Dan(cobra1122) and Margi Harmon

    Thank you
    Thank you this is very encourgaing for me to read.
    Billie the Wife