survivors of Terminal Stage 4 lung cancer

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!

diet
i have been diagnosed with stage 3 small cell lung cancer and also been given 6 months to live am having chemo and i am also a insulin dependant diabetic can you please advise me of the type of cancer fighting foods please

Kindest Regards
Simon

Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer
I was diagnosed last March 2011 with a stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. I went through a toracentesis to take 1200ml of fluid from my lungs. After evaluation of the pleural fluid, the my oncologist diagnosed me. That was 3 months ago. I started Tarceva, 150 mg, and had my ctscan last june 15 and the result was amazing. Please do not loose hope. There is a miracle out there. Just pray, eat healthy foods, rest and be happy. My doctor said I had a remarkable change and response to the pill. Take care, you will be fine.
Lorna

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!

Hi, I am glad your dad is
Hi, I am glad your dad is doing better. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer ;adeno carcinoma;. Is there any suggestions on a diet? We are gradually starting to give her juices and hopefully will start her on a gerson diet. What was your dad on?Please contact me when you can. I would really appreciate it.

-Juan
719-671-6130
eltigre496@hotmail.com

nessaducky said:

More about your treatment Joe, please
Joe,

My mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 non small cell lung cancer which has metastasized to the pleural lining and space outside the pleural lining of her right lung. She is still up and about and wearing her high heels. She is strong and amazing and forever an inspiration to me. I would like to know what your course of treatment has been. We are just now trying to get her in with doctors and finding her treatment as soon and as fast as we can. This is all so sudden, but I know my mom will get through this and overcome it with God. I am just trying to educate myself with disease and am looking for any and all help.

I appreciate any response to this post. God Bless you!!

-Vanessa

Stage 4 NSCLC
Vanessa

In May I was also diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which metastasized to the pleural lining. I immediatley had surgery to stabilize my left lung(it was collapsing due to the fluid pooling). I have 3 tumors and was told my only option was chemo, however pathology reports showed that my particular mutation responded well to a pill form of treatment called Tarceva. After 7 weeks on this pill all 3 tumors had reduced to almost half their size. While this is fantastic news, the down side is that eventually one of two things will happen-either the cancer will become immune to the Tarceva or my body will no longer to be able to tolerate the toxicity. According to my doctor most people are able to withstand this for 9-12 months, but she does have 1 patient that has been on it for 6 years.
The most difficult thing for my now is trying to learn to cope with this disease. I'm a 52 year old grandmother and have NEVER been sick before. I've always been very active and was even into powerlifting and body building until this.
I pray for you and your mother. God Bless!

ldoman said:

Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer
I was diagnosed last March 2011 with a stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. I went through a toracentesis to take 1200ml of fluid from my lungs. After evaluation of the pleural fluid, the my oncologist diagnosed me. That was 3 months ago. I started Tarceva, 150 mg, and had my ctscan last june 15 and the result was amazing. Please do not loose hope. There is a miracle out there. Just pray, eat healthy foods, rest and be happy. My doctor said I had a remarkable change and response to the pill. Take care, you will be fine.
Lorna

Lung Cancer is survivable
Feb 12, 2012 will be my ten year anniversary surviving Small Cell Lung Cancer that spread to my stomach lymph nodes. Every time I would inhale I'd get a really sharp pain in my rib. I thought I cracked a rib screwing around on the floor with my son the night before. I went in to be checked because my wife (a Radiation/Oncology R.N. at the time) insisted. They told me I had muscle pain and tried to send me home. My wife insisted they give me an X-Ray. They found a mass in my right lung. I was given a CT Scan the very next day and a needle biopsy the day after that. The insensitive clods called me at work on my birthday Feb 12, 2002 to inform me over the phone that I had terminal small cell lung cancer. I was 37 with a 12 year old and a 15 year old boys at home. I was devastated.

The fear is the worse part. To make a long story short, after many chemo and radiation treatments they told me that my cancer was not responding anymore and to go home and spend time with my boys. From the beginning the fear sucker punched me. Then I started praying and the fear went away. I asked God to let me live long enough to see my sons graduate from High School so my wife wouldn't have to raise two teenage boys alone. Every single time I was asked I'd say God is going to let me live. Well he did. I have never been in remission or told NED. Every single CT Scan shows masses in my right lung and stomach nodes. They just stopped growing. They just sit there and don't spread anymore. I watched my youngest graduate from High School a long time ago. I also attended the Graduation Ceremony for my oldest graduating from Purdue University with his B.A. I haven't had a cancer treatment since Oct 2002.

Hope this give someone hope. When I was first diagnosed I had to stop reading the net about Small Cell and its horrible outcomes. I was told last month I am a two percent survivor. You can be too. You can reach me here or my email rush@yahoo.com if you need me. Mark

GaryMCooper said:

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

Mom just diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC - squamous cell carcinoma
Hi Gary,

I am so happy to hear that you have been in remission for over 6 years. This is awesome news.

My mother who is 55 years old was recently diagnosed with Stage IV non small cell lung cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma. She never smoked a day in her life and needless to say this news was devastating to her and to our family. It was discovered when my mother starting losing her voice and was coughing in June of this year and the cough became progressively worse. It wasn't until she was sent to the ER for difficulty breathing was when it was discovered that she had lung cancer and it had spread to her trachea which blocked majority of her airway. Her left lung had collapsed and she also had pnemonia. We've been told by our oncologists that it's inoperable given it's fairly extensive in her trachea, left bronchus and left lung and that it originated from the lung. She's had 5 days of palliative radiotherapy (very small dose to say the least) and was told to wait at least 4 weeks before they can assess whether or not chemo is an option for her and that's if the tumour has responded to radiotherapy. I just hate the fact that we're being put in a holding pattern for now. It seems they've already given up on my mom =( but of course we haven't!!

Recent CT, MRI and bone scans show as normal (so far) so it doesn't look like it has spread to other areas other than a small lesion on her right lung which is being monitored during her next CT scan in a few weeks. In reading your post, I understand the lung cancer had also spread into your trachea and was wondering what treatments you were given and where did you receive the treatments, since my mom's condition sounds fairly close to yours. Our oncologists have said that it's fairly rare to see it grow into the trachea. Were you also diagnosed with NSCLC squamous cell carcinoma? I would really appreciate your response and can be reached directly at marianng@rogers.com.

Keep fighting the good fight. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone here. You've all been truly inspirational to me and my family.

TO ALL: I've been reading all the posts in this forum and didn't find any others diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinoma. If I missed it, my apologies, but I was wondering what treatments and where you/your loved one had undertaken? Appreciate you getting back to me. Thanks.

God Bless,
Marian

tropicgirl2780 said:

I'm a mom too
Hey I have a little girl, 2 and a son, 7. I was diagnosed in Nov. 2009 with stage 4 NSCLC. I immediately did a clinical trial with carboplatin, pemetrexed and avastin. After 12 weeks of that I went to pemetrexed and avastin. IN July of 2010 I started having a bad reaction to the pemetrexed. I have been on Avastin since then, every 21 days. After the first 12 weeks of chemo the tumor was almost non existent and all the lymph nodes were back to normal size. I just had CT results today and infusion. The Dr's said they have no idea how I haven't had a reoccurance AT ALL. I am going on 18 months and most typically occur at 3 months they said. They have now said they are thinking outside the box and would like me to consider letting them go in microscopically and remove the very tiny bit of tumor left in my lung to further test it and basically get it out of my body. I am leaning towards yes, why not try right? In the mean time I have divorced an abusive husband, moved into an apt with my kids and am loving and living every minute. I feel great and I am anxious to see results of PET scan next friday and brain MRI. Keep fighting, you have 2 reasons to give it your all. I really believe that attitude and being surrounded by loved ones helps.

Thanks tropicgirl2780
I'm so happy for you! So far for me my tumor has shrunk from about the size of a grapefruit to the size of a, as the dr. put it, cocktail weenie. I am being radiated on the lung now. I am thinking of looking into clinical trials to keep the cancer from coming back. I hope all is well with you.

Dapsterd said:

Surving stage 3b (just as bad as stage 4 they say !)
Hello!......I am 47 yrs young, was diagnosed with 3b adenocarcinoma this June 1st, no brain/bone/liver mets, but 1/2 dozen lympnodes in chest areaboth sides and tennis ball size tumor in upper right lobe. Started chemo and rads same week, this week is my 5th week.

I Panicked at first diagnosis !! Looked at all web sites for prognosis and yes they were grim at best

BUT ----- Here is what I have discovered.

I HAVE NOT seen published from a reputable site, like ACS, NCI, etc..stats that are Later than 2006 OR 2007. I am told alot has changed since then, with drugs themselves, and how they are applied, when they are applied, frequency of treatments, radiation technology, etc....now curious to see how your individual treatment center figure their own stat because they can/may filter them prior to reporting to be more like your moms characteristic?...I dont know..technology should be there.


SO my Docs only said if I did "nothing", I may have 6 months or so, if I take to treatment, I have a year +++++++++++++++++++++++ !!!!! They said they are going for a cure on this one...so I am with them .....but.....always in the back of my mind I have a sense of something bad impending, but I push it out as quick as I can.

Also....Stats DO NOT tell a persons physical condition, life style (some still smoke, eat terrible, etc), age, other medical issues, etc.....so I and YOU...WILL MAKE A PACT NOT TO REVIEW THEM AGAIN !! DEAL ? LOL


Thanx, love ya all
Dave

OUR BATTLE
OUR JOURNEY IS JUST BEGINNING ALSO. MY HUSBAND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADENOCARCINOMA ON NOV.23,2011. THE 'LOST' FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU HEAR THE 'C' WORD IS SO OVERWHELMING! LIKE YOU STATED....THE STATS REALLY SUCK!! WE ARE GOING TO BE WITHIN THE 25% AS WELL. SOMEBODY HAS TO BE THERE...MIGHT AS WELL BE US!! WE WILL HAVE THE PET SCAN ON DEC.8. GAMEPLAN TO BE DETERMINED AT THAT POINT. HAS ANYONE EVER HEARD OF TAKING -CIMETIDINE? DAVE....I HAVE AGREED TO NOT EVER LOOK AT STATS OR BELIEVE A TIME FRAME THAT MAY BE PLACED ON A LIFE....... GOD DETERMINES OUR DESTINY!! BEST TO YOU

lorisoto said:

Survivor of Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer w/ METS to Brain
Hello everyone - Just want to send out some encouraging words - I'm 39 diagnosed with Inoperable, Incurable, Termainal Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer in April 2010. I've had brain surgery to remove tumor in April 10, Radiation to my whole brain in May 2010, 1 chemo treatment from June to Aug 2010 tumors resolved both in my brain, lungs lymphnodes in left lung. Off from treatement from Aug to Dec 2010. Re-scanned MRI, PET and CT beginning of Dec. all the tumors came back worse then before. 1 in left upper lymphnode, 2 in lower left lung and nodules in middle chest followed by 3 new small tumors in brain. Started immediately with new drug Topotecan received new scans in Feb 2011 to see if Topotecan is working it's not. Was refered to Gamma Knife for brain Mets and the Gamma Knife doctors found 12 tumors on Feb. 24th, 2011. 6 on right side and 6 on left side of brain. 3 large mets over 1.5 cm. They were able to target 6 on the right and I'll go back in a couple of weeks for the other 6 on left side of brain. Very blessed that I was referred to Gamma Knife doctors I believe they have saved my life for now! My local oncologist and radiologist/pathologist were VERY WRONG on my brain tumors and MRI Scans. They said 3 and I find out I have 12?? I was not a happy camper when I found out. Gave the Oncologist a piece of my mind. Will no longer return to that Oncologist and or Radiologist place for my scans. This has taught me that I need to take responsiblitly and stay on top of everything. My LIFE is precious to me and unfortuntaley not to some of the medical professionals. I've learned some oncologists don't look at the bigger picture and just tell you what you want to hear or just follow the basic medical protcol. I'm not allowing this any longer. I'm checking into experienced Oncologists that handle my specific cancer. Looking at going to Stanford or Loma Linda where I will be a top priority and be with medical professionals that are interested in finding a cure or helping my survival rate. If you have any information I'm very interested. I'm 39 and I'm not having any complications, my weight is good, my health other then the cancer is fairly good, I still go to work, I'm fairly active need to walk more. My diet is excellent no problem eating. No symptons of all the side effects of chemo or radiation. Very strong willed person I thank God everyday for another day. I'm truly blessed. Interested in talking to all Small Cell Lung Cancer people to see how you are doing and your stories and survival times. Have a blessed day.

Survivor Stage 4- I understand
Hello Lorisoto, sound just like me currently, how are you now? I hope all has been worked through for now. I understand.

Dave

Carcinomatous Meningitis
Lung Cancer survivor 6 years gets carcinomatous meningitis
by raven97 on Sat Dec 24, 2011 09:30
Hi, My sister six years ago at 37 was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. She survived by taking Tarceva/Avastin. But she had to battle 3 brain tumors with cyber knife after having seizures. A month ago she had blinding headaches, confusion and double vision which messed up her sight permanently. At the ER she was tested with spinal tap the only way to see cancer in the fluid and lining of the brain and spinal cord. The doctor said as lung cancer survivors live longer this is a progression of lung cancer. (so make sure you ask your doctor for a spinal tap if you are a long term survivor) They had to put a port in her head but she was on Avastin a long time and hemorrhaged and it paralyzed her on the left side. They have given her weeks as this cancer moves fast and attacks the nervous system. I will post a link for more on it. She is 42 now. I just wanted to address this and warn as long term lung survivors will get this more and more. http://www.ehow.com/about_5167093_carcinomatous-meningitis-t