Cancer Survivors Network - Stage 4 Lung Cancer - Comments

this is all new to us

123red — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:39:36 -0400

hi my wife of 45 years, the LOVE of my life started chemo yesterday 10/16/09 for stage 4 metastic cancer.she is getting taxol/carboplatin. all of this started in july . she had an accident and in the ER they found a high white count. this lead to tests that showed three enlarged lymph nodes. they are saying that it is probily 90 % lung cancer 10 % overian. no matter questions I ask ,I still dont understand this. my wife was a very healthy 65 never on meds works hard and always has a great outlook. Im just plain scared.
thanks for your ear - - - RED

nsclc

chloes — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:18:55 -0400

hi my dad has hust been dianoised with nsclc stage 3b and my whole world was shattered untill i read your story , im new to this and havnt got a clue what to say or do i was just wondering if you could tell me a little about chemo treatment has is starting a clinical trial next week with carboplatine and gemcitabin and he is so worried and has been very tearfull and i want to share your thoughts and storie to him to give him some hope , kind regards michelle

N/A

username32 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:58:45 -0400

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Stage 4 lung cancer

real — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:34:45 -0400

Hello Lisaann 63
My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell cancer in May of 08. I saw you post and wanted to know how your husband is doing? I too would like to know what to expect. He is doing well now. He had radiation on his brain and it showed it was all gone, but then last month another spot showed up on his last MRI. He had chemo and on his last visit in Feb. the doctor said it had not grown or gone away. We are waiting 2 months and do another MRI and CT Scan. He doesn't look sick just tired.
Any words you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
REAL

newbie

blondie1 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:05:21 -0500

Hi. I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastic lung cancer (lymph node involvement) in June of 2006. Mine was also inoperable. When treated with chemo I went in every three weeks for an IV treatment, with blood work done before each treatment. This went on for 8 months. It's possible the treatment left his blood in a bad way and he was given treatments to counter the effects of the chemo. It's possible he was treated with radiation therapy. You and your Mom need to be very proactive by asking many questions and getting as much information as possible about treatments and side effects. Take a pad of paper with you and write down the answers. They should have given you a bunch of brochures describing treatments and side effects. If not I would certainly speak up and possibly look for another doctor. They should be explaining everything they do. Also ask about his being treated with Avastin. This drug actually attaches to the cancer cells and starves the cells by not letting them get any blood. They shrivel up and die. I wish your Dad much luck. Two and a half years later they find no sign of cancer in my body. There is always the possibility that one little cell is hiding and will pop up later, but for now all is good. The treatment is like hell, and sometimes he may wish he were already dead. But there can be a rainbow at the end of the storm. And I guess that's what it's all about!!

newbie

pherbolario — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:49:19 -0500

Hi,Im new with this. My dad was diagnosed stage 3b with lung cancer early october. Since operation is not an option, the dr adviced for chemo. He had his first last week. Today, we were asked to go back for a check-up. Since I was not around, my mom went with my dad. A new treatment was administered...which was not explained to them. Do you know how the normal procedure is?

thanks madeline joe

marybear — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:01:19 -0500

we have prescpiton coverage for this drug cost me $25.oo per month last month cost me $400.oo now it is covered we will start the 3 month on november 21 will due cat scan of chest hopefully end of month just did cat scan of brain nothing there thank god but he is having trouble breathing so i suspect the lunds are getting worse thank you for your response please keep in contact god bless Mary

Tarceva

MadelynJoe — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:43:50 -0500

Dear Mary Bear:

Regarding the cost of Tarceva for your husband, many drug companies will supply chemo drugs to patients who cannot afford the cost of drugs. Check with your husband's oncologist or the social worker in the oncologist's office for help in finding out about these programs.

Best regards,

Madelyn

brain & lung cancer

ellengoo — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:04:31 -0400

hi Lisa my husband was diagnosed with lung and Brain cancer in June of 08. We did 11 treatments of radiation to the brain and just finished 4 treatments of chemo with carboplatin and taxol. We are also using an alternative doctor in Manhattan who is with sloan. We did an Mri and pet scan 2 weeks ago. The doctors were pleased that nothing had spread. He didn't have any shrinkage. Your husbands results are wonderful. I will talk to my doctor about the sterotatic radioation surgery. Its really is nice to have people to chat with. this is my first time using a chat room. Thanks for the information. If any one wants to chat with me I would love to here from you ellen

stage4 lung cancer and tarceva

marybear — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:40:09 -0400

hi khtm i am mary a cargiver to husband diagnosed in june 08 stage 4 no surgery nsclc his tumor in right lung spread to lymph nodes and left lung now did cat scan on sept 23, started tarceva on sept 20 he is now getting a red nose with litle pimples on it dont know if that is ar rash or not will see oncologist on friday dont know if i should renew prescription very costly $4500.00 per 30 days in donut whole know asked oncologist if you dont get rash is it working she said different studies proved differnt results he is terminal getting weaker glad the tarceva worked for you how long you been on it from august last year good for you he did carbo/taxol one treatment on august 18 one week later ended up in hospital with 103 fever and low white count of 0.44 almost died they gave him 4 shots in 4 days of nuevesta to bring his white count up but now he cant walk i think he got neurapthy from the chemo that is permanent cant walk no more his legs and feet feel really heavy he is 75 yrs old will try tarceva for one more month hoping to do catscan in end of nov to see if it helped if not will stop it thank you for you posts please keep in touch Mary

Information on Stereotactic Radiosurgery

junes daughter — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:43:18 -0400

Hi Lisa-
My mother has has Stage IV Colon Cancer that has spread to her lungs. She is currently finishing up her 2nd round of chemotherapy, and is thinking about radiosurgery to eliminate the masses in her lungs (that although decreased in size from chemo, are still present).

Can you tell me a little more about where the radiosurgery was performed? We have contacts at Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson and the Methodist Hospital (Houston), however as we have learned moving through this process, it is better to hear from real people and their experiences with their doctors and hospital staff.

Much Thanks.

Re: Stage 4 Lung Cancer

Diane03 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:15:41 -0400

I was diagnosied with stage 4 this past May. I just completed 2 weeks of radiation and my first chemo. The radiation had to be done to try and give me some relief because the breathing was difficult. The tumor is wrapped around my pulmonary artery. I now have some relief and will continue on the same course of chemo as your husband. Doing both in conjunction with eachother really knocks you out. My esophogus is burned so it's difficult to swallow which makes it more difficult to keep eating nutrients.
I'm glad the radiation is over for now. I'm pulling for your husband and hope he bounces back from the chemo before his next bout!

Re: Stage 4 Lung Cancer

kimbil — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:10:00 -0400

Hi Lisa,

My mother started chemo Tuesday. Believe it or not but she has not been nauseous or had any bad side effects yet, just some bone pain. She is scheduled for her second round on April 8th. The doctors still have not done any scans though to see if it is working. I will let you know the results. How is your husband doing? Let me know.

Have a nice Easter!
Darlene

Re: Stage 4 Lung Cancer

cmw74 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:44:28 -0400

hi my husband also has stage 4 non small cell lung cancer he just had his first round of chemo. he takes carboplatin, and vinblastine we get the carb thru iv bag and the vin through a push. he is doing well tired but he still has his hair lol it is in his lung, chest neck and stomach lymp. the chemo seemed to shrink the one in his neck it stuck out pretty big, now it is a lot smaller thats good, we go to the dr on wed the 19 to find out about the next round of chemo.

Re: Stage 4 Lung Cancer

KHTM — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:07:32 -0400

Hi Lisa-

Sorry, to just get back with you. I haven't been on in awhile. I am soooo happy to hear about the great news for your husband! I'm sure it's the first of many more good reports. :)

Tarceva is a fairly new Rx for nsclc. It is usually used after your first line of treatment has failed. In which my case it did. I take it everday and I feel it has been a miracle in a bottle. The only bad side effects that I have experienced is a rash on my face, neck, and scalp. I've also had very dry skin, but nothing like the carbo/taxol I was on before. I have been on it since August with stable results, and hope to be on it for a long time. You can google Tarceva, and read a little more about it, but it sounds like your husband is doing great with his current treatment.:)I'm so happy for you and will continue to pray for you!!

Stage 4 Lung Cancer

Lisaann63 — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:19:27 -0500

I would love to hear from someone who has been diagnosed with stage 4 non small cell cancer. My husband was diagnosed in Nov. He seems to be doing well, but I just really don't know what to expect..it would be nice to hear of other experiences....thanks!