Lung Cancer Recurrence

johnlogan
johnlogan Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with NSLC in November of last year. After undergoing chemotherapy (VP-16 and cisplatin) and radiation, the doctor's decided to remove the middle lobe of my right lung in June of this year.

Unfortunately, the cancer has returned and the doctors have identified metastasis in my brain. I am now beginning a course of 10 treatments of radiation to the brain.

Has anyone out there had any similar experiences?

-John

Comments

  • loulou
    loulou Member Posts: 65 Member
    #2
    Hi John,
    Sorry to hear about the recurrence. Don't let that get you done. Think of it as only a temporary situation. John, I was diagnosed with nslc in January 2000. It had also spread to lymph nodes, and I had two lesions in the brain. I didn't feel comfortable with full brain radiation, so I had a procedure done called stereo tac tic. I had great results. I also had radiation to my lung and had chemo. The type of chemo I had was taxol, and carboplatin. Then in December 2000, they found two more lesions (brain), again I had stereo tac tic done. Good results. Since then my scans have all been clear. My last pet scan was done in August, and I am happy to say, it was clear! I think you need to really believe in yourself that you will be cured. Believe deep down in your inner core that you are going to live, and keep telling yourself that everyday. You can do it!!! Have you tried meditation, and visualization? It's great stuff. If you have any questions just ask. Good luck, and believe, loulou
  • johnlogan
    johnlogan Member Posts: 2
    #3
    loulou said:

    Hi John,
    Sorry to hear about the recurrence. Don't let that get you done. Think of it as only a temporary situation. John, I was diagnosed with nslc in January 2000. It had also spread to lymph nodes, and I had two lesions in the brain. I didn't feel comfortable with full brain radiation, so I had a procedure done called stereo tac tic. I had great results. I also had radiation to my lung and had chemo. The type of chemo I had was taxol, and carboplatin. Then in December 2000, they found two more lesions (brain), again I had stereo tac tic done. Good results. Since then my scans have all been clear. My last pet scan was done in August, and I am happy to say, it was clear! I think you need to really believe in yourself that you will be cured. Believe deep down in your inner core that you are going to live, and keep telling yourself that everyday. You can do it!!! Have you tried meditation, and visualization? It's great stuff. If you have any questions just ask. Good luck, and believe, loulou

    Hi LouLou,
    Thankyou for your prompt reply. Todate I have received one treatment of whole Brain Radiation. I will have nine more then wait and see what happens. I am interested in the type of Radiation you received as I have never discussed this type of treatment wtih my Oncologist. Could you explain? Does this type of treatment Raditate indivdual tumors? At present I have four. Three which are very small and one which is larger

    Regards

    John
  • loulou
    loulou Member Posts: 65 Member
    #4
    johnlogan said:

    Hi LouLou,
    Thankyou for your prompt reply. Todate I have received one treatment of whole Brain Radiation. I will have nine more then wait and see what happens. I am interested in the type of Radiation you received as I have never discussed this type of treatment wtih my Oncologist. Could you explain? Does this type of treatment Raditate indivdual tumors? At present I have four. Three which are very small and one which is larger

    Regards

    John

    Yes, stereo tac tic is a single high power beam of radiation that hits only the tumor, not the surrounding tissue. It beams all the way around the tumor. They start by putting a halo on your head. Then they take another ct scan of your brain for exact measurements. It then takes the computers about 5 hrs. to get everything lined up. Finally, after 5 hrs. you are ready for the treatment. It last about a half hour for each tumor, and it's just for one day. There is criteria you need to meet, so you might want to check it out. John Hopkins, has a good web site on this subject, and I think oncology.com might also have information. It's worth checking out.. Good Luck, and Believe. loulou

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