Anyone's original dx as stage IV

das63

I was just dx on 01/06/05 with stage IV due to met on right adrenal gland. Has anyone else been dx with Stage IV as original dx and if so, how are you doing now? I started radiation on my lung on 1/25 and already am having side efect of more coughing and bringing up blood. My only symptom which prompted me to see a dr was a cough with blood. But after only 2 radiation treatments it's already gotten worse. Is this normal. Please help.
Thanks-
Dave S

overdrawn85

Dave, I'm sorry about your dx and I'm sorry that I don't know if what you are going through is normal. What does your doctor say about it? My wife was dx with stage IV in Dec. She has had her 2nd chemo. I really don't have much constructive to offer other than to let you know that you are not alone in your fight.

midgep

Yes, I would say that you symptoms with radiation are common. I was diagnosed with stage 3a NSC and I started chemo/radiation Jan 4. I had a hell of a time for about three weeks. Coughed up blood and could barely breathe. After the three weeks were up, I began breathing easier. Now I feel damn good and hope like hell it continues. Hang in there..
Midge P

emmy4

Hi Dave My dad is being hospitalized for stg4 lung as well, he also has emphsema & can't talk, I am very worried & scared, I am sorry you are going through this, We can learn together.
em

angrygrrrl

my husband was dx in july of 04 with inoperable stage 4 with mets to bones. it is inoperable and he isnt able to have radiation because he has a kidney in the way. he haad to stop his chemo after about 8 treatments because he was building up toxicity in his fingers and toes.

bobennett

Dave S
I was diagnosed 9 months ago, and been on chemo since then. After going to second line chemo I finally stopped coughing up blood, although it was always very minimal. I have had nothing but good fortune following starting treatment. I often say, for lack of a better way to phrase it it gets better from here on out.
Good luck and keep up the fight.
Bo
Age 53 smoked for 17 years, quit 18 years ago
4/7/ 04 DX stage IV NSCLC
3.7 cm right lung.
Met, TM. left humorous, right hip,- right orbital?
4/28/04 start chemo,
Carboplatin, Gemzar, Zometa\
6/3/04 Off pain pills, all pain left
84/04 New scans show stage IV is not holding up very well, things are lookin good. Bone mets have left and new bone has grew in place.
11/1/04, new scan. Primary increased to 4.5cm, and new subcarinal node problem, bone mets are too scared to get back in the fight
Starting Taxol
1/18/05, new scan. Slight overall shrinkage. No evidence of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy as shown in earlier scans, annnnd nothing new.

j1m53

bobennett said:

Dave S
I was diagnosed 9 months ago, and been on chemo since then. After going to second line chemo I finally stopped coughing up blood, although it was always very minimal. I have had nothing but good fortune following starting treatment. I often say, for lack of a better way to phrase it it gets better from here on out.
Good luck and keep up the fight.
Bo
Age 53 smoked for 17 years, quit 18 years ago
4/7/ 04 DX stage IV NSCLC
3.7 cm right lung.
Met, TM. left humorous, right hip,- right orbital?
4/28/04 start chemo,
Carboplatin, Gemzar, Zometa\
6/3/04 Off pain pills, all pain left
84/04 New scans show stage IV is not holding up very well, things are lookin good. Bone mets have left and new bone has grew in place.
11/1/04, new scan. Primary increased to 4.5cm, and new subcarinal node problem, bone mets are too scared to get back in the fight
Starting Taxol
1/18/05, new scan. Slight overall shrinkage. No evidence of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy as shown in earlier scans, annnnd nothing new.

I was diagnosed March 02 with NSC, upper right lung 3cm. After 38 radiation treatments and 18 Chemo. Taxol and Carboplatin treatments, I just found out that there is no Cancer cells present in that lung. The raidation burnt my Esophagus and I have one more treatment to strech it back to normal. I never had any trouble with bleeding but several that were doing the treatments at the same time did. I dont know if that was normal but it seemed as though I didnt have as bad as time as the others. I was treated at the V.A. in Kansas City and had very good doctors and staff. I am 63 years old and did the Chemo/Raidation, due to Emphysema in left Lung (only 38% left)As of today I feel pretty good. I hope you do as well, Its a long road but with Gods help Im sure you will make it.

luannt

Hi Dave,
I was diagnosed 1/5/00, with stage 1V lung cancer. I had vena cava, and mets to my brain. I also started coughing more after I started treatment. My oncologist started me on some steroids, and in a few days it was better. That was 5 years ago. I remember how scared I was the first time they put that needle in my arm. It suddenly became very real to me. But, here I am 5 years later. So there is hope! Alway's. I'm sure my odds didn't look very good, but I didn't listen to statistics. I decided if I was going to go through this I was going to have as much fun as I could. I had made sure it was fun when I was having chemo, and laughed. You really do need a since of humor when you go through this. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, Have as much fun as you can, laugh a lot, and spirtually heal your body. The mind is a powerful thing! I feel I've been blessed going through this. I wouldn't change a thing. Stay strong mentally and physically. Sorry I rampled on so much. Good luck in your treatment. Let me know how your doing. Luann

Plymouthean

Hi,
In 2001, at age 67, I was diagnosed with nsclc, stage IV. Incurable/inoperable. I can't say what is "normal" with cancer. Each case is so different. My point would be, - have faith in God and your doctors. After chemo, radiation and surgery, I'm still here, feeling great, with no sign of cancer. Don't panic, and don't give up!