survivors of Terminal Stage 4 lung cancer

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  • DBST67
    DBST67 Member Posts: 5

    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!

    Prognois
    I am stage 4, going into my sixth year non small cell both lungs. quality of life is very good. Have had 2 recurrences. Has not spread. my advice is to trust God,not to give up hope, live each day to the fullest. God is the only one who has power of life of death. I met a lady about two years back, who had lung cancer for 20 year. Remember it is not over, until God says it is over. Love, enjoy life. Try to eat the right thing, I have never smoke, Doctors can only tell you based on stats, but there are doctors that will tell you to trust God for the outcome. Our strength, health and peace comes from him only.
  • DBST67
    DBST67 Member Posts: 5
    Survivor
    I am in 4th stge now, originally dx in 09/2004 stage 2, had surgery of top left lung, recurrence October 2007 stge 4, was told had only 18 mos , still going strong today. was stable with the use of Alimita chemo drug and God. Went off chemo in 02/09, cells were stable...went back on chem in 04/30/2010 for 6 cycles..quality of life is good, able to travel with cancer in both lungs. will do cat scan in June 2010 to see status. You must stay positive and not give up hope, trust God that is the key. DO NOT LET NEGATIVE THInKING OR NEGATIVE PEOPLE CONTROL YOUR MIND, BECAUSE THE MIND IS A BATTLEFIElD OF WHAT IF'S AND WHEN, GIVE THAT TO GOD TO RESOLVE.
  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    DBST67 said:

    Survivor
    I am in 4th stge now, originally dx in 09/2004 stage 2, had surgery of top left lung, recurrence October 2007 stge 4, was told had only 18 mos , still going strong today. was stable with the use of Alimita chemo drug and God. Went off chemo in 02/09, cells were stable...went back on chem in 04/30/2010 for 6 cycles..quality of life is good, able to travel with cancer in both lungs. will do cat scan in June 2010 to see status. You must stay positive and not give up hope, trust God that is the key. DO NOT LET NEGATIVE THInKING OR NEGATIVE PEOPLE CONTROL YOUR MIND, BECAUSE THE MIND IS A BATTLEFIElD OF WHAT IF'S AND WHEN, GIVE THAT TO GOD TO RESOLVE.

    Thank you DBST67!
    This is just what I needed to hear today. I am starting chemo on Friday and find fear is trying to overcome my faith... I pray for the best for you, AND me!
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member

    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!

    don't !
    don't listen to the time limits, people beat the odds all the time.
    fight like he!!.
    cheers
    medi
  • DBST67
    DBST67 Member Posts: 5
    mamacita5 said:

    Thank you DBST67!
    This is just what I needed to hear today. I am starting chemo on Friday and find fear is trying to overcome my faith... I pray for the best for you, AND me!

    MAMACITA5
    TRUST GOD, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL GET THRU IT, IF YOU THINK POSITIVE AND NOT LET NEGATIVE THOUGHTS CONTROL YOUR MIND. GOOD DAYS AND SOME BAD DAYS, BUT THE SUPPORT OF YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY WILL GET YOU THRU IT WITH PRAYER. MY HUSAND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO THINK NEGATIVE. HE IS AN EXCELLENT CAREGIVER. I THINK HIS FAITH IS STRONGER THAN MINES, HE PLANS FOR THINGS YEARS AHEAD. REMEMBER GOOD DAYS AND SOME BAD DAYS NOT FEELING WELL, BUT IT WILL PASS. EVERYONE IS IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS WHO HAS BEEN TOUCH MY CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES.
  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    DBST67 said:

    MAMACITA5
    TRUST GOD, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL GET THRU IT, IF YOU THINK POSITIVE AND NOT LET NEGATIVE THOUGHTS CONTROL YOUR MIND. GOOD DAYS AND SOME BAD DAYS, BUT THE SUPPORT OF YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY WILL GET YOU THRU IT WITH PRAYER. MY HUSAND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO THINK NEGATIVE. HE IS AN EXCELLENT CAREGIVER. I THINK HIS FAITH IS STRONGER THAN MINES, HE PLANS FOR THINGS YEARS AHEAD. REMEMBER GOOD DAYS AND SOME BAD DAYS NOT FEELING WELL, BUT IT WILL PASS. EVERYONE IS IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS WHO HAS BEEN TOUCH MY CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES.

    DBST67 ~THANK YOU~
    I found this scripture today: Matthew 9:22. We have to remind ourselves those same blessings are available to us in our day too. I think you are one sweet lady, and lucky (like me) to have the support of a wonderful husband.
  • daughter82
    daughter82 Member Posts: 1

    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!

    Surviving Stage 4 Lung Cancer
    My father was diagnosed with Stage IV NSLC in April 2004. He had mets to his femur, spine and scalp. He started chemo and radiation in May 2004. He is in his seventh year since diagnosis and we keep praying for more. The lessons I have learned from being his advocate all these years is pray, treat everything and never give up!! What I mean is the minute he starts running a fever we treat agressively, it's the little things that make a difference! I have spent too much time on the oncology floor listening to doctors talk about hospice. We feel our life span is in G-d's hands and we are required to do everything in our power. At the moment he is too weak from infections to do chemo right now, but I tell every doctor we wish to treat what is treatable. It's our hope he will get strong enough to resume treatment. In the meantime we are planning a father's day BBQ which will include his great grandson whom he would have never known had we given up when they started pushing hospice in 2005. I wish you the best of luck and much success in your battle.
  • rlotempio2
    rlotempio2 Member Posts: 6

    Survivor
    I am 3an1/2 years an going
    Bless ya and prayers to all of you.
    Greg

    Grandma diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer spread a bit to liver
    I am just interested in what treatments you went through and if they informed you that you could only be treated not cured just like my grandmother. Im petrified of losing my only real mother in this world. Any advice or information would help. Thank you and God Bless.


    Rachael
  • starrfilled
    starrfilled Member Posts: 5

    Survivor
    I am 3an1/2 years an going
    Bless ya and prayers to all of you.
    Greg

    Hi Greg,

    I was wondering how large your nodules were and if there were more then one? My mother is 74 and I would like to know from survivors.. what treatments you chose and why.. so that I have a guide and options that actually have worked with the survivors. So far.. my mother has no primary site location. She just had her biopsy . We go on the 23rd to see what options she has. She has one 3 cm nodule on the right and two the same on the left. Hers has not grown in size in months. Hope you can help.. Leah
  • starrfilled
    starrfilled Member Posts: 5
    suebloom said:

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

    Sue,

    I would like to speak to you. My mother was told she has stage 1v she is 74. Went recently for her biopsy. We will know more the 23rd. Please email me at starrfillednights2007@yahoo.com. I would like more details on what you did to beat this and how long a survivor you are.. and if it ever came back anywhere else? I want a guide from someone who survived this before my mother becomes a guinea pig or experiment in the drug arena that may kill her.. like it did my dad..when he chose to stop. Thank You.. Leah
  • starrfilled
    starrfilled Member Posts: 5
    andiques said:

    Stage IV NSCLC already in remission!
    We're ALL terminal in the end! Don't let the statistics scare you (even though I did!)... I was dx Stage IV NSCLC adenocarcinoma (inoperable) in Jan 2009. Underwent three rounds of chemo ( Carboplatin/Taxol /Avastin ) and then had a CT scan for assessment last week. I'm in remission already and I have to say that the chemo wasn't bad either -- so MUCH better than in the past. SO ... call it a miracle or call in modern-day progress, but whatever it is, I'm happy as a clam! I attribute it to not only my treatment, but also to BIG support in the form of prayers from lots of folks. STAY POSITIVE by all means because. no matter what, we all need to enjoy whatever days we DO have on this earth. We could be hit by a Mack truck tomorrow! BTW, I also highly recommend The Lung Cancer Alliance for great support and discussion. They are under the umbrella of the "Inspire" network. Check them out! Best of luck!

    Hi,

    Can you please email me at starrfillednights2007@yahoo.com. My mother is 74 .. just completed a needle biopsy. Prior to..was told she is stage 1v but they can't find a primary.. without the biopsy. Nothing showed up on the Pet Scan. She is active still.. altert..cooks.. cleans. She drives. She has one 3 cm nodule on her right and two on her left lung.. same size. Hers are stable.. But.. I heard as you age with hormones that is normal for it to grow slower. I want to know.. if your still to this day in remission. It is now July 2010. Please email me.. I also wanted to know what strength Chemo combination they used on you..if you could find out so.. I can have a guide line. Thanks Leah
  • my5sister
    my5sister Member Posts: 8
    ravenmad said:

    My sister
    Hi, My younger sister, 52 years old, was just diagnosed 6 days ago with lung cancer which has spread to several other organs. Today she starts chemo. There are four of us girls and we are just beside ourselves with worry. Our parents are in their late 70's and are equally blown away. Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. As for everyone else going through the same difficult time my prayers are with all of you. Thanks.

    I am truely sorry, My sister
    I am truely sorry, My sister had stage 4 lung,bone etc
    If you would like to read more please go to http://dianedeacon.memory-of.com/About.aspx She had a day to day log she was writing. She sadly passed away 6/26/10
    My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
    God Bless
  • my5sister
    my5sister Member Posts: 8
    nanaof7 said:

    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

    You are welcome to read my
    You are welcome to read my sisters posts.to http://dianedeacon.memory-of.com/About.aspx She had a day to day log she was writing. She sadly passed away 6/26/10
    My thoughts and prayers are withyou and your family.
    God Bless
  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291
    Surving stage 3b (just as bad as stage 4 they say !)
    Hello!......I am 47 yrs young, was diagnosed with 3b adenocarcinoma this June 1st, no brain/bone/liver mets, but 1/2 dozen lympnodes in chest areaboth sides and tennis ball size tumor in upper right lobe. Started chemo and rads same week, this week is my 5th week.

    I Panicked at first diagnosis !! Looked at all web sites for prognosis and yes they were grim at best

    BUT ----- Here is what I have discovered.

    I HAVE NOT seen published from a reputable site, like ACS, NCI, etc..stats that are Later than 2006 OR 2007. I am told alot has changed since then, with drugs themselves, and how they are applied, when they are applied, frequency of treatments, radiation technology, etc....now curious to see how your individual treatment center figure their own stat because they can/may filter them prior to reporting to be more like your moms characteristic?...I dont know..technology should be there.


    SO my Docs only said if I did "nothing", I may have 6 months or so, if I take to treatment, I have a year +++++++++++++++++++++++ !!!!! They said they are going for a cure on this one...so I am with them .....but.....always in the back of my mind I have a sense of something bad impending, but I push it out as quick as I can.

    Also....Stats DO NOT tell a persons physical condition, life style (some still smoke, eat terrible, etc), age, other medical issues, etc.....so I and YOU...WILL MAKE A PACT NOT TO REVIEW THEM AGAIN !! DEAL ? LOL


    Thanx, love ya all
    Dave
  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291
    SURVIVAL
    I got up and out of bed at 5:00 am (est) this morning.

    So for today, I have survived today longer than any person who got up after that time. !!!!
  • becmarsh
    becmarsh Member Posts: 4
    nubis said:

    survivor?
    My husband is facing small cell lung cancer. He is only 33 years old. He is stage IV. I don't know if this is terminal, some days my husband looks healthy, somedays he is very sick, future is uncertain. Present is to fight. Of course you think in death, for me is very difficult, when my husband is on pain I think the worst, but then next day he feels better and you just know you need to keep fighting.
    We do what we need to do. Rigth now, I just call for clinical trials, to see if my husband can be a candidate. We are trying all the options we have. Of course sometimes I feel sad, very very sad. I cry in the shower, so my husband doesn't see me, because I need to let my feeling get out. I need to be healthy for him. But after that, I keeping searching, keep praying, keep doing what we need to do.

    Good luck.

    survivor?
    How is your husband now?

    I ask because my brother who is 60 was diagnosed in Jan. 2010 with stage IV lung cancer.
    He has had radiation and chemo and is now on a drug called tarceva.

    He has the same symptoms --looks healthy some days, don't feel well others, depressed
    a lot. Appetite is good sometimes and other times, not good.
  • gkbruzik
    gkbruzik Member Posts: 7
    Dapsterd said:

    SURVIVAL
    I got up and out of bed at 5:00 am (est) this morning.

    So for today, I have survived today longer than any person who got up after that time. !!!!

    I love what u just wrote,
    I love what u just wrote, very simple but it has so much meaning. thank you for posting that
  • PeterJr
    PeterJr Member Posts: 1

    Grandma diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer spread a bit to liver
    I am just interested in what treatments you went through and if they informed you that you could only be treated not cured just like my grandmother. Im petrified of losing my only real mother in this world. Any advice or information would help. Thank you and God Bless.


    Rachael

    Stage 4 Lung Cancer
    My father age 85 was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in July 2009. He was told he had 6 months to live. Well my father has always been one that will decide his destiny. Here is what I and several of my family member did.

    1) We put him on a diet of cancer fighting foods
    2) We cut his sugar intake as much as possible. He has been a diabetic for 30 years anyway.
    3) No carbonized sodas
    4) Plenty of water
    5) We Prayed
    6) Keep stress away and try to keep his spirits high.
    7) We Talked about the Cancer

    He immediately started Chemo. After all the treatments as cat scan was performed. He was told by the Doctors that his stage 4 Cancer is now Stage 2 Cancer. It was decided to give his radiation. He went through all the treatments except the last two and was told to go home and he would be examined in about a month. Two weeks ago my father went back for his cat scan from head to toe. The Doctors could not find the cancer!

    I do not know what the future holds for my Dad and Cancer. All I do know is that he is healthy now!

    I hope this helps with Caring for your Grandma!
  • janegrant
    janegrant Member Posts: 1
    derrald said:

    stage IV nsclc
    the stats are killing me! 3 weeks ago wife went to doc for rib pain and persistent cough. the cough started in nov. of 08, she strongly suggested a chest x ray. after the x ray they called for a ct (stat) after which they said "we are so sorry, you have cancer" and then basically gave here a good luck, god bless attitude. sent to pulmonoligist who said "I don't give survival odd's" and after his tests told us it was nsclc IV. non operitive. go see this doc. so I started researching and everythin said has said "no cure" survival rate "5 to 10 percent" I am flipping out. can anyone give me facts? I can battle anything if I have them.




    thanking you in advance

    Derrald

    stage IV nsclc
    Forget statistics. Two years ago last month they told me my husband had the same diagnosis (stage IV nsclc, a couple months left at best. We got the 5-10% speech as well, so we decided to find out how to become part of that 5-10%.
    Find the doctor you need. Someone who can answer questions, someone who will let you hope. It's a good sign if he/she doesn't give out odds. You don't want to be burdened with them. Get a second opinion if you need to. Ask your local American Cancer Society to help match you up with the right doctor.
    Get informed. Get organized.
    Write things down. Pay attention. Keep track of what doctor you saw, when you had a procedure, the list of drugs she's on. Ask questions. Find out what resources are available to you. Don't be too proud to accept help. Don't be too polite to ask questions anytime you don't understand. You're fighting for her life.
    Say thank you to everyone. They'll remember you for it.
    Make the best decisions you can based on the information you have. That's all you can do.
    We've been at it for over two years now with mixed results. But we haven't given up. It doesn't get easier, but it gets different. The initial terror recedes. You'll discover strengths you never dreamed you had. You can't control this. But moments of happiness and appreciation are still possible and it would be a shame if you missed out on them because of the cancer.
    I wish you all the very best success.
    God bless you both.
  • PeterJr said:

    Stage 4 Lung Cancer
    My father age 85 was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in July 2009. He was told he had 6 months to live. Well my father has always been one that will decide his destiny. Here is what I and several of my family member did.

    1) We put him on a diet of cancer fighting foods
    2) We cut his sugar intake as much as possible. He has been a diabetic for 30 years anyway.
    3) No carbonized sodas
    4) Plenty of water
    5) We Prayed
    6) Keep stress away and try to keep his spirits high.
    7) We Talked about the Cancer

    He immediately started Chemo. After all the treatments as cat scan was performed. He was told by the Doctors that his stage 4 Cancer is now Stage 2 Cancer. It was decided to give his radiation. He went through all the treatments except the last two and was told to go home and he would be examined in about a month. Two weeks ago my father went back for his cat scan from head to toe. The Doctors could not find the cancer!

    I do not know what the future holds for my Dad and Cancer. All I do know is that he is healthy now!

    I hope this helps with Caring for your Grandma!

    STAGE 4 NSCAC
    Thanks for the encouraging words. I am 56. Non-smoking female.I was diagnosed on July 15, 2010. They found a tumor in my lower right lung next to a Pulmonary embolism. They admitted me to the hospital for the emboli and started me on Lovenox which I am still taking. I have brain mets. Two weeks ago they completely removed a tumor on the brain but I have two small tumors that they are going to use radiation on later. They wanted to start Chemo right away. I had my first treament yesterday, Taxal,Carboplatin, and Avastin. Today I am getting a shot of Neolasta to increase my neutrophils(WBC's). This will be every three weeks. Not sure when the radiation starts. We are doing targeted radiation. I have learned that this cancer has a poor prognosis. I want to be one of the 2% to make to 5 years. I will let you know of my progress. I take one day at a time. I was working 60 hours a week. I will definately slow that down and try and enjoy life a little more. I have a wonderful family and friends that support me. Debra