Cancer Survivors Network

My mom, 55, has officially been diagnosed with stage IV SCLC.

It started at the end of July when her right leg started periodically going numb. Then it would "awken" and go into a localized seizure. Just having a peripheral bypass a year prior, we thought it was a blood clot.

We took her to the hospital, where they kept her over night. July 28th, we got the news that she had a 4cm tumor in her brain causing the leg problem. She was put on dexamethasone to control swelling and radiation was scheduled.

She completed 2 weeks of radiation in Sept, and had biopsies done. Initial report was small cell lung cancer that spread to her brain and there is a small spot on her adrenal gland.

In Oct, we were told that perhaps it was not small cell, and a bronchioscopy was ordered. A month later (last week), we got the news that it was indeed small cell (Good thing we had we wasted 2 months to get the same resolve).

They set her up for chemo ASAP and she went this week on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. She now has 3 weeks off, then goes again for 3 days, cycling for 4 months.

My mom is a very private, strong person. There are 5 of us children, and she doesn't say much about it to us, but we are with her almost 24/7. She has repeated the doctors in saying that this will only buy her time but it's "far gone".

Her chemo so far this week is kicking her butt. She is exhausted, tired, and throws up frequently despite the medication they have prescribed.

Me, personally, I am a mess! My mom was a single mom, raising us 5 kids, she is our rock. She has 10 grandkids who love her. We can't imagine life without her. I am a super strong person, but I can't help but get teary eyed thinking about it, or, even now, writing, I am crying. I worry about her health, her future, and her finances (as she is on disability now).

I know there are miracles, and I know people say to stay optimistic, but I am a realistic optimist. Every person is different. My mom is willfully strong, but her body is already weak from her other medical issues.

I would love to hear from others, your stories of hope (yes, I know there is always "hope")... but right now, it seems so hard. We are also afraid to ask "how long" though we know statistically (speaking just statistically), they say <2% chance of making it to 2 years.

Thanks everyone in advance for reading and your responses

Janessa <3