There are many who visit
There are many who visit here that have survived ten, fifteen years and longer. They check in to say hello only occasionally, I assume because they are busy out there living. There is a man who contributes to the inspire website who contributes regularly at 13 years +. This is no longer an automatic death sentence.

Focus on keeping him well hydrated and nourished to get him through treatment without complication. My best to you both!

glcs52 said:

Stage 4 surviving
I am brand new to this site, but saw your question. My answer is YES.. I went through the initial chemo for Stage 4 lung cancer and I am now on maintenance chemo. I am in partial remission and back to work. I was diagnosed back March of this year, 2012. It's rough, but keep faith. I thank God for each and every day. My oncologist stated I am no worse than anyone else living with a chronic condition. Hang on and stay positive..

Welcome
Hi glcs52, your words are so right. They reminded me of something important. Cancer patients are more likely to survive longer after diagnosis than those who have heart attacks or strokes. Something about the event that precipitates the diagnosis. Will try to find the citation for that.

telehelen said:

my 44 year old son had lung

my 44 year old son had lung surgery in boston no help then went into remission for about 1 year had surgery for one encapsulated tumor in l frontal lobe in Springfield, ma  he doesn't look or ack sick just tired now the Dr wants whp;d brain radiation any thoughts on that he was first diagnosed in Aujust 11 thanks Helen

Brain radiation

hi Helen, welcome to the CSN.ACS website.  I am soo sorry your son has to go through this.  It is awful at any age but he is just plain too young.  We lost my dad to this awful disease at age 41.  My diagnosis came at age 58, my mom at 75.  You don't say whether your son has small cell or non small cell cancer.  If you live anywhere near a teaching hospital (if not drive to one) get a second opinion.  Especially if they they are talking about whole brain radiation.  If there is just the one brain metastasis they can do gamma knife, Cyberknife or stereotactic radiation therapy instead.  Some of them can be done if there are six or fewer tumors And they cause fewer problems.  

My mom had whole brain radiation for non small cell and it caused her lots of confusion but it did end some nasty headaches.  A friends husband had pci for small cell cancer, because it is less strohng it caused less confusion- and in small cell only, there is evidence that it prevents some brain metastaces.  If a day comes that I need brain radiation I have given my caretaker directions to see if I can have Cyberknife or one of the other newer types of radiation.  But I will have it.  

Please let us know if you have anymore questions or are looking for other opinions. Please start a new thread when you do to make it easier to find.  Hope 2013 is a better year for you.  

acostane said:

My Dad Was Diagnosed in 1999 Stage 4 & he's still here.

Hi Melissa. I was compelled to write you to give you the truth of my experience and maybe some hope. I'm so sorry you have to start this journey. I have to believe I'm better for it...it's very hard!

I was in 8th grade in 1999 when my Dad was diagnosed stage 4 NSCLC with lung & brain mets. He had shoulder pain & depression which caused him to see a specialist. They found the cancer and they told my Mom to "prepare your children." They said he had a 14% chance of living 6 months. 

He is still here. He saw me graduate high school, college, get married, and he was there for me as I started my life and career. 

He has had 4 recurrances in this time and come through all of them. He was in his 50s when diagnosed. I won't lie that it is VERY tough on his body and on our family. He is in another recurrance now and he's nearly 70. It's very hard. The doctors now say that lung cancer is kind of treated as an illness you'll always have that can be treated with maintenance therapy, like diabetes or something. That's more how it's been for my dad. The first time in 1999 he had whole brain radiation and chemo, a lot of chemo. The whole brain radiation was horrible, but he lived and saw me graduate! In 2007 he had a recurrance and he  had a lobectomy. In 2010 he had mets discovered in his brain and lung. He had cyberknife and those went away. He went on Alimta in 2011 after a spot was found on his adrenal gland. He's had radiation to spots in his ribs too. And yet my darling father fights on! 

Now, in the interest of honesty, this has been VERY hard on his body and mind. My Dad was an engineer who designed & built large industrial machienery for a living. He used computers, loved math, etc. The treatments reduced his mental capacity a LOT. He has neuropathy and his legs are weak. But his voice is strong and his love is strong too. WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH. The most you can do for a person with cancer is to encourage them and love them and support their fight!  He would not trade all of this crap he goes through if it meant not being with us, you know? Recently he's been diagnosed with more brain & lung mets. We're meeting with the oncologist tomorrow. My father has sworn to fight again. 

So what I'm saying is there IS HOPE beyond the moment with this cancer. My Dad is proof and it's so good to hear from others on here who have been through the same. 

I feel it is so important to have courage and face this with your loved ones. Don't DO NOT google the stats. Your Dad does not have to be a statistic.

Take care!

-Nicki

Lots of good advice in there.

Lots of good advice in there.  If its too late and you've already read those stats remember this:  if it says one in 20 or 1 in 5, if you turn out to be that One, your chances are now 100%