survivors of Terminal Stage 4 lung cancer

Unknown

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!

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

gmelchor1

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!

lung cancer diet
hello,

we have just found out my brother (33 yrs old) has lung cancer and i find your post really inspiring..i would like to know what diet of cancer fighting foods did you put your dad on? please..

Boo76

Stage IV Inoperable
I just joined this site and after reading all the comments I have some hope. My story: My former husband has been an alcoholic for 38 of of 58 years of life. After more than 20+ yrs of marriage, I called it quits. He continued on a downhill spiral and ended up incarcerated for so many DUI's (thank GOD none of them caused any personal or property damage). He is due to be released in January 2011. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with stage IV nsclc - inoperable (spread through out his entire body). His family is in the dark about treatment since he is in a facility located in a different state. We do know that he did start chemo last week. A counselor from the facility contacted a family member advising that the prognosis was 6 - 12 mos. I am aware that no one really knows the timing. The counselor is also trying to get an early release due to medical reasons. I should also note that he has been a smoker since his early teens. Before reading all the information and hope that everyone on this website has shared, I was pretty grim about the outcome. I now have a lot more encouragement and will share this with his daughters. I pray that he gets out early so we can get him some quality healthcare. In hopes that being with his family and better care will give him the desire to be on this glorious earth. We are trying to obtain medical records so we are aware of the chemo treatment he is under going.

Blessings to all!

stayingcalm

Boo76 said:

Stage IV Inoperable
I just joined this site and after reading all the comments I have some hope. My story: My former husband has been an alcoholic for 38 of of 58 years of life. After more than 20+ yrs of marriage, I called it quits. He continued on a downhill spiral and ended up incarcerated for so many DUI's (thank GOD none of them caused any personal or property damage). He is due to be released in January 2011. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with stage IV nsclc - inoperable (spread through out his entire body). His family is in the dark about treatment since he is in a facility located in a different state. We do know that he did start chemo last week. A counselor from the facility contacted a family member advising that the prognosis was 6 - 12 mos. I am aware that no one really knows the timing. The counselor is also trying to get an early release due to medical reasons. I should also note that he has been a smoker since his early teens. Before reading all the information and hope that everyone on this website has shared, I was pretty grim about the outcome. I now have a lot more encouragement and will share this with his daughters. I pray that he gets out early so we can get him some quality healthcare. In hopes that being with his family and better care will give him the desire to be on this glorious earth. We are trying to obtain medical records so we are aware of the chemo treatment he is under going.

Blessings to all!

Hey!
Boo, you really are a trouper to allow him back into your life and to be willing to care for him. I wish you all the luck in the world!
Be well, stay well,
stayingcalm

Jacobman

soccerfreaks said:

survivors
Stardust, there are indeed survivors of Stage IV lung cancer, some of them on this very site. I am not sure, however, that any of them were told that their particular 'version' was 'terminal'.

The only exception to that that I know of is me, and my story is sort of strange, as I really didn't have stage IV; they just thought I did due to the spread.

Still, I have at least a couple of friends on this site who are stage IV survivors, one with both small and non-small cell, and the other with small cell, if I am not mistaken.

One recently received a proclamation of NED (No Evidence of Disease) and the other is in at least his third year of college (you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, it seems ).

But I would not want to falsely raise your hopes.

If docs are providing treatment (radiation) then they at least have hope of extending life, quality life, for the person we are talking about it here. I would advise that since that time cannot be precisely measured even in the worst case scenario, that it be lived as if every day were the last, spent enjoying life, friends, family, spent loving and laughing.

Life IS precious.

I know this does not help much, but please know that we are getting closer and closer to actually finding ways to reverse cancers; it is just a matter of hanging in there, in my opinion.

Incidentally, and I do not say this flippantly, birth is a terminal disease.

Take care,

Joe

RIP
My Grandpa, age 69, died of type IV lung cancer on December 23, 2009. He was diagnosed with type IV in August of '09. I am 13 now I was just a few weeks from my birthday when he died. I turned 12 two weeks before he was diagnosed. I am here to tell you his story. He started with lung cancer then was later told that the cancer was spreading to his brain and that he had only about a 8% chance to live. We were there December 17 2009. I held his hand as he fell asleep and the last words I heard was, "I love you and hope you stay safe." Then I didn't know what he meant but on the 23 I knew that he was saying he wouldn't make it. 2 days before Christmas. Christmas will never be the same. If there are any survivors of type IV cancer or People who have lost loved ones by any cancer. Go to
www.cancerwillnotwin.webs.com/ to show how they are appreciated. You can even tell there names and it will be put on the website for many to see who was lost or lived from cancer. And to all who lost someone or who survived cancer we will not forget you.

cziranugitt

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!

cancer fighting foods
My 54 year old mother was diagnosed with Stage IIIa lung cancer two months ago. It has since spread to her other lung and possible her bones. She is now considered Stage IIIb. My siblings and I are determined that we cure her despite her diagnosis of "incurable". Please, if you can give me any detailed information on what you did for your grandfather I would be very grateful. Was the diet he was on the Gerson Therapy diet? Did he take any medications or herbal supplements?

hope4dad

janegrant said:

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.

stage 3b
hi janegrant, my dad was just diagnosed with 3b nsclc last month. he starts chemo & radiation this week. I am scared and devastated - trying to stay positive and trying not to obsess on the statistics and numbers. i loved your post. thank you

hope4dad

soccerfreaks said:

Chemo after surg
Fran:

Please keep in mind that each of us reacts to chemotherapy different, and that our cancers are going to be at least slightly different. It seems as if they are almost like fingerprints: while they are similar, they are never quite the same.

That said, I was treated with cisplatin for an original tongue/neck cancer following surgery (and during radiation treatments as well) back in '05 - '06. I can honestly say that the cisplatin was the worst of this experience. It made me as sick as I had ever been up to that time.

Even so, when I was advised I would be getting carboplatin and taxol on a weekly basis following an '07 lobectomy, many of my friends on this site warned me that they had received same and found it nauseating as well. I did NOT find this to be the case. I managed this cocktail quite well, actually, relatively speaking.

Again, it is an individual thing, I suppose. I will say that I had to skip several treatments second go-round due to low platelets and/or white blood cell counts. On the other hand, I received those treatments on a more frequent basis.

I am now NED, incidentally (NO Evidence of Disease).

As for Avastin, my understanding is that it is a first-line therapy, although it cannot be used in certain instances, particularly when surgery is recent or pending. You will want to verify that with OncoMan, of course.

Best wishes.

Take care,

Joe

inspiring
joe, your posts are very inspiring. thank you for sharing your life

SusieQZ36

wisezer@verizon.net said:

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

Don't think about stats
Hi- I just read your post and want you to know that as a non-smoker there is a MUCH higher survival rate. Don't think about the stats though. Try to enjoy and not let the cancer become all encompassing. Good luck and know you are in my prayers!

GaryMCooper

Stage IV-A non small cell lung cancer survivor
Hello,
I am 51 and a Stage IV-A non small cell lung cancer survivor. I was diagnosed 12/8/2002 at age 43 as having Stage III non small cell lung cancer.

They began a thoracotomy the day after Christmas 2002 on my right lung and pulled out without removing any of the lung having found it was spread to lymph nodes and on trachea/esophagus and re-staged it as Stage 4A. I began combined aggressive chemo and radiation the beginning of January 2003 and after about 1 1/2 - 2 years of three separate rounds of combined radiation and chemo, I have now been in remission almost 6 years.

Due to the aggressive nature of the treatment and damage from a new chemo drug, I have been on oxygen 24 hours/day for about 6 1/2 years. The new drug also damaged my good left lung. By no means am I complaining about this, I thank God for putting the right medical professionals on my care and realize that without this aggressive treatment I would not be here today.

I can't believe that I am just now discovering this site - of course I didn't really search as much as I could have. I am searching now primarily because I am in the process of being evaluated for Lung Transplant. The hospital I am with does more lung transplants than any other in the country along with many of the more difficult ones. Having said that, they have not done one on a stage 4 cancer survivor.

So I am asking you all - are you or do you know of any lung cancer survivors who have later had a lung transplant - I'm curious of any stage but most curious of stage 4.

Thank you, and I wish you all continued improving health.
God Bless,
Gary

loxajoy

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
I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. (At first they thought it was
a lung infection. I was opened up and closed because the tumor was pressing
on my aorta and my spine, and the surgeon basically told my daughters (both in
their 30')that I was ready for Hospice. That was 7 months ago, and after
radiation and chemotherapy, I'm still here and my tumor has shrunk over
80%. There is hope. I know how hard it is to stay positive, but I think
that's a must. Good luck and stay in touch.

realiti

marijune said:

Breast cancer now lung
Skybuf, I had breast cancer 5 years ago, now thru a tumor marker test I was told I have lung cancer in right lung and 2 in lymph nodes. started chemo and radiation. How are you making out?

" Lung Zapper" ???
Hi there, I know its extremely expensive, but just check it out.
I just found out and I started the research. My father has Lung Ca.

My best wishes!

key words: secondary metastatic lung cancer, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, " Lung Zapper".

realiti

cziranugitt said:

cancer fighting foods
My 54 year old mother was diagnosed with Stage IIIa lung cancer two months ago. It has since spread to her other lung and possible her bones. She is now considered Stage IIIb. My siblings and I are determined that we cure her despite her diagnosis of "incurable". Please, if you can give me any detailed information on what you did for your grandfather I would be very grateful. Was the diet he was on the Gerson Therapy diet? Did he take any medications or herbal supplements?

diet/ alternative treatment
Hi,

My father,56 years old, was diagnosed two months ago with stage IV NSCLC in his right upper lung. Our mass is huge (12x10) but he had no symptom, whatsoever. According to our doctor’s, we belong to the incurable group. Anyway, we started chemo but at the same time we are following and alternative treatment methods I have to tell you, and that’s my personal opinion, that we started them because firstly we aim to support and strengthen his immune system. Secondly, we want to make his body an inhospitable environment for cancer cells to develop more and make more metastases. Moreover, we want to detoxify his body in order to protect his liver. He is consuming a lot of green juices (wheat grass juice, flax seed oil etc), row organic vegetables like broccoli, no sugar, no meat and so on. I don't know if they actually help, but the worst thing that could happen to us by eating organic healthy meals is…nothing.
I don’t like and I don’t trust supplements and “magic filters”. I 've bought many books and I have contacted many clinics (Gerson's, Wingmore's etc). I have to tell you that they cost! However, my research isn’t done yet. I am trying to understand their concept and the way their treatment works in order to visit their clinics.

In Monday we are going to have our third chemo. Up till now, they are working. My dad still looks as if he was healthy.
There are times that I 'm full of hope. But every time I talk to doctors I can't breath. It's like someone is pressing me with his boots on my chest.

I am sending everyone my positive thoughts and best wishes,
Realiti

1976hdn

Boo76 said:

Stage IV Inoperable
I just joined this site and after reading all the comments I have some hope. My story: My former husband has been an alcoholic for 38 of of 58 years of life. After more than 20+ yrs of marriage, I called it quits. He continued on a downhill spiral and ended up incarcerated for so many DUI's (thank GOD none of them caused any personal or property damage). He is due to be released in January 2011. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with stage IV nsclc - inoperable (spread through out his entire body). His family is in the dark about treatment since he is in a facility located in a different state. We do know that he did start chemo last week. A counselor from the facility contacted a family member advising that the prognosis was 6 - 12 mos. I am aware that no one really knows the timing. The counselor is also trying to get an early release due to medical reasons. I should also note that he has been a smoker since his early teens. Before reading all the information and hope that everyone on this website has shared, I was pretty grim about the outcome. I now have a lot more encouragement and will share this with his daughters. I pray that he gets out early so we can get him some quality healthcare. In hopes that being with his family and better care will give him the desire to be on this glorious earth. We are trying to obtain medical records so we are aware of the chemo treatment he is under going.

Blessings to all!

BOO76
How is he doing with his treatments? I have a friend that was diagnosed with small cell stage 4 with no hopes of operation. Just wondering what to expect when the treatments start next week.

Thanks

1976hdn

nancy shaw said:

LUNG CANCER STAGE FOUR
i was told in june my lung cancer was at stage four, it is small cell, i had 12 doses of chemo i got back this month for more test...there is some days i need to talk my husband has just retired ,but i dont bother him...

nancy shaw
How are you doing? wondering how your journey has been, my dad was told he also has stage 4 small cell lung cancer. Large tumor on the lungs with small spot on the brain, just wondering what should be expected from someone who has gone through this. Thanks for your time and info.

Blessings to all!

fish49flea53

kleimank said:

MY FATHER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE IV LUNG CANCER
My father was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer on September 07, we were told that surgery was not an option for him but it was his only possible cure; we saw three different doctors including a Dr at the MD Anderson, and we were told that surgery was not an option, my father is only 50 yrs old and we were giving a very bad prognosis. I have never giving up, I did a research online and found the best Drs and surgens for lung cancer and wrote to all of them, alot of Drs responded. we live in Austin TX we ended up going to Seattle WA where my dad had a rib an lung resection; he also went through chemo and radiation before and after surgery. On February of 08 we were told that he was cancer free but 7 months later we found out that he had Brain metastasis, we were debastated, because of the location of the tumor he can not get a surgery and he was giving of course a horrible prognosis, like I said we have never given up, he got radiation and a "new" chemo for the brain called Temador, it has worked wonderful for him, Drs. are very impress ans shocked of how well he is doing right now, for the last 6 months his Tumor in the brain keeps getting smaller and there is no desease in any other part of his body including the lung. The Dr. told us that he is doing better than 95% of the people with metastatic lung cancer and that the way he has reacted to treatement is all we can hope for. It has been terrible for my family but we have never giving up and we have done the impossible to get through this; dont let any Dr. or anyone to tell you how far you and your wife can get, keep fighting, do research talk to diffent Drs., look into medial trails, We were told by the Dr that my father is basically a miracle I am sure your wife can be too but never give up and keep fighting and you will be in my prayers.

My husband had stage 4 lung cancer
My husband had stage 4 lung cancer and the doctors told him it was terminal and he would die from it. We were devastated and my husband just gave up no matter how much i tried to reach out he wanted to die so he died on September 4, 2010 after 4 months of fighting it. If the patient wants to live and does everything possible then they have more of a fighting chance but my husband was tired so he just gave up. It's the will to live that is on a person's side. My husband was just 53 when he died.

fish49flea53

diegogon74 said:

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!

My husband had the same thing
The prognosis is not good at all. My husband had the same stage 4 small cell cancer. It's devastating news. My husband only lasted 4 months because he did not have the fight in him to live anymore. He wanted to die so he got his wish. If you have a good attitude and a fight to live attitude you will live longer. How much longer i dont know. Keep up the good fight and don't let the doctors tell you any different.

chalaan

sknowlton said:

Stage IV lung cancer
I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in June of 2009. It was Stage 4 with mets to the liver and another part of my lung. I had smoked all my life, quit 4 years ago and hoped the cancer would skip me. It didn't. It was found with a CT scan - my lung had liquid and I had to have 2 thoracentesis to get rid of it. The first month I felt pretty bad, but after my second chemo I started feeling better. The chemo gave me no side effects except for the Neulasta shot at the end to raise my white cell count. All my bones ached for about 4 days after the shot. CT scans showed the tumors getting smaller and a pet scan (after my 6th chemo) at the end showed no evidence of cancer. My oncologist followed the MD Anderson protocol (vincristine, cisplatin and carboplatin - I think those are right.

Anyway, I am 74 years old, cancer free at the moment and have been told that SCLC definitely will come back at some point, so they will now be testing me often (CT scans and Pet scans every couple months. I found out that if it does come back, that they can't use the same chemo drug because it doesn't work twice in a row, but that there are others that work as well, and that the cancer may come back somewhere else. Even so, my doctor promised my some quality time and I'm having it now! I fixed Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner by myself, did the tree and took it down, sent stuff to my 4 kids, 11 grandkids and 2 great grands. I'm not ready to give up and I have a very positive attitude. I live with my husband - he has been shattered by all this after 47 years of marriage, but we are doing very well, considering this last year.

One thing that absolutely every doctor and caregiver I met told me that a positive attitude can work wonders and I believe it.

SCLC. friend has stage 4. chemo not working

HI,

I was reading though the blogs and hoping to find someone who had some chemo that worked.
My friend is being treated in California at a local hospital. I am encouraging him to
go to MD Anderson... Can you post the name of the oncologist that you are seeing there?

Any advice would be so appreciated, and thanks so much for your info. It raised my spirits.

mainiac

suebloom said:

surviving stage iv lung cancer
Hey Joe.....what is different about your "version"? I was diagnosed 7/08 with stage iv lung cancer due to one metastatic site in some lymph nodes under my arm. Just wondering what your story is?

stage iv lung cancer
hi suebloom,

my daughter is diag. stage iv non operable lung cancer. would you be willing to share your experience? she also had a met. to one node under her arm

thank you

UNBEARABLE

HELP
Has anyone been to Sloan Kettering? Have you had success?