33 year old husband has Non Small Cell Lung Cancer - Please Help...

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Comments

  • ViewSonic
    ViewSonic Member Posts: 17
    machja said:

    Clinical Study
    My 71 yr old exsmoker (quit 21 yrs ago) mother as diagnoised in Febuary of this year with Stage 3b nsclc. She was not a candidate for surgery or radiation because she has COPD and emphazyma. We started taxol/carbo. After her diagnosis, I immediately looked for clinical trials. I found a Sun Farm Soup trial out of Mt Sinai in NYC. It is for stage 3/4 lung cancer patients diagnoised w/in 2 months and undergoing no more than 1 chemo treatment. My mom fit that, emailed the doctor and she was a candidate. The dr also told me that we could stay home and purchase the soup ($750/month) which is what we chose to do. Enrolling in the study wouldn't ensure she didnt the a placedbo. She continued w/ 4 rounds of chemo - the 1st one kicked her butt but she started the soup 3 days after the 1st treatment and has not missed one single day since. She just received her latest PET scan results and tumor has shrunk 70% after 4 chemos. She is now a candidate for both radiation and surgery!! I know it is very pricey but we truly believe (as does the radiologist we met with) that the soup has made the difference. We also pray everyday and have 'shrines' in each of our homes for our mother. Something is going right. Something to look into. May God bless you as he has us. I know we still have a long road ahead, but we are all very positive!!!

    Soup?
    machja,
    What is this Sun Farm Soup you speak of?



    costello782,
    I am sorry you must go through with this ordeal. It is a difficult, tough, and hopefully will be a long journey for you and your husband. I know what you are going through with the utter disbelief and shock that someone so young and a non-smoker could be inflicted with a disease that is usually reserved for the elderly and smokers. Unfortunately, lung cancer can inflict anyone of all ages. My wife was 30 when she was diagnosed in Oct/Nov 2010. She has been battling the cancer for the last 18 months. However, she is currently losing this battle. We went thru all the avenues of treatment (chemo, radiation, GammaKnife, clincial trials) and unfortunately, the doctors have given up on her due to her brain mets. She is no longer a candidate for radiation or GammaKnife since it was confirmed that the cancer has metasized to her brain lining. My wife was immediately taken off Crizotinib/Xalkori and was recommended in-home hospice care. We obtained 2nd/3rd opinions and each time, the docs all stated the same thing. My wife has been off of any cancer treatments for the last 2 months and is currently at home in-hospice care. Her health is slowly declining and it is heart breaking to know that I can no longer help her. All I can do is make her comfortable, and shower her with my love. All my family can do now is pray and believe in our faith. We have done everything that we can to fight this battle for the past year and half. I am thankful that I was able to have that extra time with her.

    Every story is different, hopefully your husband's journey will have a better ending. Have faith and hopefully everything will work out for you.
  • arlekim
    arlekim Member Posts: 47
    ViewSonic said:

    Soup?
    machja,
    What is this Sun Farm Soup you speak of?



    costello782,
    I am sorry you must go through with this ordeal. It is a difficult, tough, and hopefully will be a long journey for you and your husband. I know what you are going through with the utter disbelief and shock that someone so young and a non-smoker could be inflicted with a disease that is usually reserved for the elderly and smokers. Unfortunately, lung cancer can inflict anyone of all ages. My wife was 30 when she was diagnosed in Oct/Nov 2010. She has been battling the cancer for the last 18 months. However, she is currently losing this battle. We went thru all the avenues of treatment (chemo, radiation, GammaKnife, clincial trials) and unfortunately, the doctors have given up on her due to her brain mets. She is no longer a candidate for radiation or GammaKnife since it was confirmed that the cancer has metasized to her brain lining. My wife was immediately taken off Crizotinib/Xalkori and was recommended in-home hospice care. We obtained 2nd/3rd opinions and each time, the docs all stated the same thing. My wife has been off of any cancer treatments for the last 2 months and is currently at home in-hospice care. Her health is slowly declining and it is heart breaking to know that I can no longer help her. All I can do is make her comfortable, and shower her with my love. All my family can do now is pray and believe in our faith. We have done everything that we can to fight this battle for the past year and half. I am thankful that I was able to have that extra time with her.

    Every story is different, hopefully your husband's journey will have a better ending. Have faith and hopefully everything will work out for you.

    So sorry
    View, I remember when my fathers dic's told us that there was nothing they an do for him. It tore me apart.. But like u I showered my dad w/ all the love I had never showere him w/. I have also been diagnosed w/ stage 1a lung cancer in early Jan of this yr. I will keep u n ur wife in my prayers...

    Dino's Los bendiga

    Marcia
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    Dapsterd said:

    Smoke Clears
    Hello All....I dont know if it really matters if a person is a smoker or not, drug addict, prostitute...whatever....I would not wish cancer on anyone.. but anyone can get it !!

    Best Wishes
    Dave

    Hi Dave...We would never
    Hi Dave...We would never wish cancer on anyone either however, I guess you could say that we were not educated with lung cancer and the facts that anyone can get it: even non-smokers. We are learning as we go with this horrible disease that even the healthiest of people are not immune. I can't help but feel angry that even though my husband never polluted his body with awful toxins he still has cancer.
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    machja said:

    Clinical Study
    My 71 yr old exsmoker (quit 21 yrs ago) mother as diagnoised in Febuary of this year with Stage 3b nsclc. She was not a candidate for surgery or radiation because she has COPD and emphazyma. We started taxol/carbo. After her diagnosis, I immediately looked for clinical trials. I found a Sun Farm Soup trial out of Mt Sinai in NYC. It is for stage 3/4 lung cancer patients diagnoised w/in 2 months and undergoing no more than 1 chemo treatment. My mom fit that, emailed the doctor and she was a candidate. The dr also told me that we could stay home and purchase the soup ($750/month) which is what we chose to do. Enrolling in the study wouldn't ensure she didnt the a placedbo. She continued w/ 4 rounds of chemo - the 1st one kicked her butt but she started the soup 3 days after the 1st treatment and has not missed one single day since. She just received her latest PET scan results and tumor has shrunk 70% after 4 chemos. She is now a candidate for both radiation and surgery!! I know it is very pricey but we truly believe (as does the radiologist we met with) that the soup has made the difference. We also pray everyday and have 'shrines' in each of our homes for our mother. Something is going right. Something to look into. May God bless you as he has us. I know we still have a long road ahead, but we are all very positive!!!

    Machja,
    What wonderful news

    Machja,

    What wonderful news that her tumors have shrunk!! Even though that is a little pricey, I feel that there is no amount one would spend on a loved one. God will always make a way. I am so happy that she is now a candidate for radiation and surgery. Those words must have been everything you have been waiting to her. My husband is in a clinical trial out of North Carolina. The drug Avastin he is receiving has shown such a positive response in smokers that they are anticipating an even higher response rate in non-smokers. Mark will have a CT scan on 6/7/12 to see if he is responding after just 2 treatments. We will hear the results on 6/12/12 which is his next treatment. We are praying to hear good news as well. God performs miracles everyday...

    Take care & keep in touch!
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    ViewSonic said:

    Soup?
    machja,
    What is this Sun Farm Soup you speak of?



    costello782,
    I am sorry you must go through with this ordeal. It is a difficult, tough, and hopefully will be a long journey for you and your husband. I know what you are going through with the utter disbelief and shock that someone so young and a non-smoker could be inflicted with a disease that is usually reserved for the elderly and smokers. Unfortunately, lung cancer can inflict anyone of all ages. My wife was 30 when she was diagnosed in Oct/Nov 2010. She has been battling the cancer for the last 18 months. However, she is currently losing this battle. We went thru all the avenues of treatment (chemo, radiation, GammaKnife, clincial trials) and unfortunately, the doctors have given up on her due to her brain mets. She is no longer a candidate for radiation or GammaKnife since it was confirmed that the cancer has metasized to her brain lining. My wife was immediately taken off Crizotinib/Xalkori and was recommended in-home hospice care. We obtained 2nd/3rd opinions and each time, the docs all stated the same thing. My wife has been off of any cancer treatments for the last 2 months and is currently at home in-hospice care. Her health is slowly declining and it is heart breaking to know that I can no longer help her. All I can do is make her comfortable, and shower her with my love. All my family can do now is pray and believe in our faith. We have done everything that we can to fight this battle for the past year and half. I am thankful that I was able to have that extra time with her.

    Every story is different, hopefully your husband's journey will have a better ending. Have faith and hopefully everything will work out for you.

    ViewSonic,
    Thank you for

    ViewSonic,

    Thank you for your kind words. I am very sorry to hear of your wife and her losing battle. My heart breaks for you to have to watch this happening and knowing there is nothing that you can do. I am sure your wife is so gracious with the love and comfort you are providing her. Not all cancer patients are lucky enough to have a support system. We also have a large support team with friends and family that have helped in so many ways to make this somewhat easier. My husband has not gotten sick from his treatments so far, however, his mind is on one mode: CANCER. It is hard to see him with such a blank stare in his eyes where I used to see the strongest man in the world. My husband is a police officer so I am used to this hard exterior attitude and now I only see how terrified he is. We continue to remain as positive as we can be however we do have our bad days too. Our relationship has changed in so many ways, for good and bad. You realize what is important... God bless you and your family. I will keep you all in our prayers!
  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291

    Hi Dave...We would never
    Hi Dave...We would never wish cancer on anyone either however, I guess you could say that we were not educated with lung cancer and the facts that anyone can get it: even non-smokers. We are learning as we go with this horrible disease that even the healthiest of people are not immune. I can't help but feel angry that even though my husband never polluted his body with awful toxins he still has cancer.

    Yes
    Costello....my sister in law has a rare nose cancer....she never smoked but her Docs say bartending for 30 yrs with all the second hand smoke was probably her issue. Some kind of Sinusoidal Cancer.

    Thanx.....keep the chin up !!!

    Dave
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19

    Machja,
    What wonderful news

    Machja,

    What wonderful news that her tumors have shrunk!! Even though that is a little pricey, I feel that there is no amount one would spend on a loved one. God will always make a way. I am so happy that she is now a candidate for radiation and surgery. Those words must have been everything you have been waiting to her. My husband is in a clinical trial out of North Carolina. The drug Avastin he is receiving has shown such a positive response in smokers that they are anticipating an even higher response rate in non-smokers. Mark will have a CT scan on 6/7/12 to see if he is responding after just 2 treatments. We will hear the results on 6/12/12 which is his next treatment. We are praying to hear good news as well. God performs miracles everyday...

    Take care & keep in touch!

    Finally Good News!
    Just wanted to provide an update: My husband got the results of his CT scan on Tuesday. The tumor in his right lung has shrunk by 50% and the tumor in his left lung is almost completely gone. All of his right lymph nodes that were cancer have been resolved. God is truly working a miracle and his oncologist is so surprised as Mark has been the topic of all of her conferences. She has described him as a rare case in the way he has responded to chemo. He has one more cycle on July 3rd (day before his birthday) and then he will have a maintenance regimen. He is still considered a surgical candidate at this point even though he has stage IV! We are so happy and wanted to share our good news to help others to keep the faith!!
  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291

    Finally Good News!
    Just wanted to provide an update: My husband got the results of his CT scan on Tuesday. The tumor in his right lung has shrunk by 50% and the tumor in his left lung is almost completely gone. All of his right lymph nodes that were cancer have been resolved. God is truly working a miracle and his oncologist is so surprised as Mark has been the topic of all of her conferences. She has described him as a rare case in the way he has responded to chemo. He has one more cycle on July 3rd (day before his birthday) and then he will have a maintenance regimen. He is still considered a surgical candidate at this point even though he has stage IV! We are so happy and wanted to share our good news to help others to keep the faith!!

    Great!
    That's Great News....that's about the best anyone could expect, really.
    What will he have surgery on?

    Dave
  • JimmieDT2
    JimmieDT2 Member Posts: 6
    And I thought I had it bad
    My God honey, I guess after reading your story I have nothing to complain about. I was diagnosed with 3B Lung cancer back in March and almost flipped out and lost it. I went through chemo and radiation and on July 6th will have an upper right lobectomy,and you know what, Im scared to death and Im 57 years old to think its all going to change after this, but I see your situation and my heart breaks for you and your young husband and your newborn baby....if I could give him all that I have left I would. Just knoow that all of us in here will be praying for you and your family and keep up the fight, we are with you.
    May God be with you.
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    JimmieDT2 said:

    And I thought I had it bad
    My God honey, I guess after reading your story I have nothing to complain about. I was diagnosed with 3B Lung cancer back in March and almost flipped out and lost it. I went through chemo and radiation and on July 6th will have an upper right lobectomy,and you know what, Im scared to death and Im 57 years old to think its all going to change after this, but I see your situation and my heart breaks for you and your young husband and your newborn baby....if I could give him all that I have left I would. Just knoow that all of us in here will be praying for you and your family and keep up the fight, we are with you.
    May God be with you.

    Hi Jimmie! Thank you for
    Hi Jimmie! Thank you for your support. We are doing very well and staying positive through all of this. Our little guy is what makes us get through each day. I know God is putting us through this for a reason only he knows why. We just have to trust in him. I will keep you in my prayers for your procedure. No matter how old someone is cancer is just as scary. Take care and keep us posted!