So many questions

DonnaLynne

I am 70 (that number still surprises me) and was diagnosed with stage 4 sclc in early November of this year. The diagnosis knocked me sideways. If it weren't for my husband and 2 daughters I would still be reeling. They kept me on track with my meds and treatments. They have gone to every meeting and treatment. But there are questions I don't always think to ask and some I don't want to discuss in front of my family. One is about my hair - I know this may sound vain but losing my hair was slightly traumatic considering everyone always complimented me on my hair. But I'm ok with losing it. The only thing is that not all of it has come out. I have enough left to make shaving my head feel odd. But I think that's what I'm going to do.

My next question is the main one. Is this it? I was told I had 1 to 1 1/2 years left. Is the remainder of my life going to be a series of the side effects from the chemo and then a period of side effects without the chemo? Because, frankly, neither option is appealing. But my family has kept me going. I just would like to know if there will be good days. Maybe 1 or 2 a month? Is there anything I specifically I should do to help with side effects?

My main side effect that bothers me the most is the mouth sores from the chemo. Mine weren't exactly sores but the entire inside of my mouth felt like it had been scalded. It was misery. Are there any tips I can do to help? It's really difficult to keep my strength up when I can't eat anything.

I know this is rambling and I apologize but if anyone can help with any suggestions, I would be so grateful

eDivebuddy

So sorry you're going through this and finding out right before the holiday makes it especially hard. Shave , wig, scraggly, no matter rock it as you see fit. There are places that can hook you up with a wig if that's what you want. Look here https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/everyou.html

Chemotherapy is temporary and the side effects are usually temporary as well. But some can be life long like my peripheral neuropathy. You can try to prevent them and also treat them. Here's a link to some tips I wrote that can really help you out. https://forums.lungevity.org/topic/53856-my-best-tips-for-getting-through-chemo/

Your mouth sores can be helped with a compounded medicine commonly referred to as magic mouth wash. Ask your oncologist about it.

Now about your prognosis. Lung cancer is definitely not good, but a prognostic is not an indicator of your life expectancy. It's a general indicator of how aggressive the can can be. Lung cancer as bad as it still is is nowhere near what it was just a decade or two ago. There are many long term stage 4 survivors these days. I was given 30 days at one point. That was well over 5 years ago. 7 rounds of chemotherapy, brain surgery, radiation, and over 5 years of Immunotherapy. Side effects Yes but I still enjoy every day. I'm a little worse for wear and I now hate crowds but life is still good. You can get through this. I did. You can read about the beginning of my lung cancer journey here https://forums.lungevity.org/topic/53203-the-real-new-normal/

You got this. Read my tips, stay hydrated and remember chemotherapy is temporary,there is light on the other side

cmpattberg

This is the 1st video in a series.I have lung cancer am documenting my journey via poetry.This poem is about when I was told I had lung cancer. I had gone to the ER for kidney stones. They took an xray and found the cancer. The poor ER attending doc had to deliver the bad news. He did not know me and I did not know him. He was short and to the point, caught be by surprise. Tough day.

All poems may be shared, copied, cut/paste.

[content removed by CSN Support Team]

#cancer #caregiver

https://youtu.be/vzET3CBKKdo