My husband

Dawn50

My husband was diagnosed with stage 3B non operable lung cancer on June 24, 2011. He is 50. He quit smoking 10 years ago. He has had 6 chemo treatments and will finish up his 8 weeks of radiation next Tuesday. I'm not ignorant about lung cancer - my Dad died from it about 25 years ago about a year after his diagnosis - I'm sure treatments have changed; however, I don't see my husband getting anything different than my Dad did all thoes years ago. Are we looking at the same prognosis?

grannylove

Sorry
So sorry you are having to deal with another loved one with this diagnosis. There are alot of factors that play into the treatment of lung cancer, such as the type, the stage, and the availability of treatment centers in your area. It's true that some of the same treatments are used today that were used years ago. But, there is more knowledge and more different types of treatments that one may try now that was not available 25 years ago. Have you discussed treatment options and expressed your concerns with your husband's oncologist? Do you feel he/she has the knowledge of treatments that are available for your husbands type of cancer? Is there a different path he can switch to if he is not getting the results expected? There is always an option of getting a second opinion, to make you both feel comfortable with the treatment plan he is on. Everyone is different and can respond differently to treatment. There are many on this board who have stage IV and have been encouraging others for years with their posts. Read thru some of the older posts and hopefully you will be enlightened. This is not a cakewalk for your husband nor yourself, as caregiver and advocate, but you both need to be positive and fight this horrid monster. This board is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. There is also a chat room where there is usually someone to give you an immediate response to questions or let you vent. You are not alone, unfortunately there are many of us in different stages, types and different levels of treatment. But we are here and we are here for each other. I don't care what the statistics or the doctor's say about my prognosis. I am here today and I am making plans for tomorrow. God willing. Sending positive thoughts your way. Stay strong. Cheryl

Dan620

3B
I was dx in may 2008 3B NSCLC in operable, received chemo (taxol/carbo) and 35 radiation treatment. August 27th 2008 was last of my treatments,been 3 years now and still going well. I go every 3 months for ct-scans or x-rays, my last Dr. visit was today and x-rays looked good, next ct-scan in Dec 7th. Just want you to know this is not a death sentence, radiation is way better today than it was 4 years ago. Stay postive and wishing your husband and you the best.... You can beat this beast... Dan

Dawn50

grannylove said:

Sorry
So sorry you are having to deal with another loved one with this diagnosis. There are alot of factors that play into the treatment of lung cancer, such as the type, the stage, and the availability of treatment centers in your area. It's true that some of the same treatments are used today that were used years ago. But, there is more knowledge and more different types of treatments that one may try now that was not available 25 years ago. Have you discussed treatment options and expressed your concerns with your husband's oncologist? Do you feel he/she has the knowledge of treatments that are available for your husbands type of cancer? Is there a different path he can switch to if he is not getting the results expected? There is always an option of getting a second opinion, to make you both feel comfortable with the treatment plan he is on. Everyone is different and can respond differently to treatment. There are many on this board who have stage IV and have been encouraging others for years with their posts. Read thru some of the older posts and hopefully you will be enlightened. This is not a cakewalk for your husband nor yourself, as caregiver and advocate, but you both need to be positive and fight this horrid monster. This board is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. There is also a chat room where there is usually someone to give you an immediate response to questions or let you vent. You are not alone, unfortunately there are many of us in different stages, types and different levels of treatment. But we are here and we are here for each other. I don't care what the statistics or the doctor's say about my prognosis. I am here today and I am making plans for tomorrow. God willing. Sending positive thoughts your way. Stay strong. Cheryl

Lung Cancer
Thank you for you words of encouragement. My husband had 6 taxol/carbo platin treatments and 40 radiation treatments which ended September 13, 2011. Kept at his usual pace at work and home until he had pneumonia about 3 weeks ago, took two weeks off work, and went back last Monday. He still has the irritated cough, feels like something is stuck in his esophagus, and has lost 30 pounds because it's so painful to eat even with the triple mix and percodan. He is constantly exhausted.The doctors keep saying it's going to get worse before it gets better but when does the better come?

He jokes... at 40 he had a heart attack, at 50 lung cancer, wonder what will happen at 60? - I'm just hoping he's still with me at 60 to find out!

I agree with your remark about still being here, still making plans, still living, and fighting this horrid monster... together we are invincible!

Dawn50

Dan620 said:

3B
I was dx in may 2008 3B NSCLC in operable, received chemo (taxol/carbo) and 35 radiation treatment. August 27th 2008 was last of my treatments,been 3 years now and still going well. I go every 3 months for ct-scans or x-rays, my last Dr. visit was today and x-rays looked good, next ct-scan in Dec 7th. Just want you to know this is not a death sentence, radiation is way better today than it was 4 years ago. Stay postive and wishing your husband and you the best.... You can beat this beast... Dan

Lung cancer
My husband had 6 taxol/carbo platin treatments and 40 radiation treatments which ended September 13, 2011.

I appreciate your comments and will work on staying positive!

grannylove

Dawn50 said:

Lung Cancer
Thank you for you words of encouragement. My husband had 6 taxol/carbo platin treatments and 40 radiation treatments which ended September 13, 2011. Kept at his usual pace at work and home until he had pneumonia about 3 weeks ago, took two weeks off work, and went back last Monday. He still has the irritated cough, feels like something is stuck in his esophagus, and has lost 30 pounds because it's so painful to eat even with the triple mix and percodan. He is constantly exhausted.The doctors keep saying it's going to get worse before it gets better but when does the better come?

He jokes... at 40 he had a heart attack, at 50 lung cancer, wonder what will happen at 60? - I'm just hoping he's still with me at 60 to find out!

I agree with your remark about still being here, still making plans, still living, and fighting this horrid monster... together we are invincible!

Dawn, I can hear your concern in your post, as I would also be concerned. What does his Dr say about the throat irritation and not being able to eat? I would think that the Dr. would want him to get plenty of rest (especially after pneumonia, let alone chemo/rad), and be able to eat to keep his body as strong as he can. Treatment affects the body beyond the last treatment, so maybe that is what the Dr meant by saying that it will get worse before it gets better. I am shocked that his Dr allowed him to return to work so soon after pneumonia and just finishing rounds of chemo/rads. Anything you can get him to eat will be a benefit. Keep it soft, mashed potatoe with gravy, angel hair pasta with butter and garlic....etc. Things like that. If you have a blender, make him some shakes using fresh fruit or veggies. Is there a nutritionist where he had treatments? Some centers have one you can talk to about any eating concerns you might encounter. If not, call his oncologist and ask to be referred, so that you are not left out on a tree limb. They might not even know he is having this much trouble and you want to head it off early. I am sure that there are others here that can offer some good, if not better, suggestions. Hang tough Dawn and don't be afraid to contact the oncologist or whoever his care physician is. Stay strong!
Cheryl