Stage 2 lung cancer

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  • gayletaps
    gayletaps Member Posts: 26
    #22
    Question about Hair Loss
    Hair loss is the result of chemo theraphy WORKING in the head killing cells non cancerous and hopefully cancerous. It is possible that you can lose your hair and the chemo still not work?. I am reading here that people go through chemo and it doesn't work some time. Is losing hair a sign that is works? What have you heard about that...anyone. Thanks, Gayletaps
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member
    #23
    gayletaps said:

    Question about Hair Loss
    Hair loss is the result of chemo theraphy WORKING in the head killing cells non cancerous and hopefully cancerous. It is possible that you can lose your hair and the chemo still not work?. I am reading here that people go through chemo and it doesn't work some time. Is losing hair a sign that is works? What have you heard about that...anyone. Thanks, Gayletaps

    I'm no expert, but ...
    ... I have enough of a bio background and have read enough to know that you can certainly lose your hair and have the chemo not work, or at least not work completely enough. The only thing that hair loss proves is that the chemo is killing the cells responsible for making hair. In order for the chemo to "work," it needs to kill essentially every last cancer cell, or the few that survive will be able to take over and multiply just as they did originally. And if the ones that survive are inherently resistant to the chemo, a new method of treatment (e.g. different chemo agent) will need to be found.

    That's kind of our problem in a nutshell, when you think about it. Hope all is well with you, Gayle.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #24
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    I'm no expert, but ...
    ... I have enough of a bio background and have read enough to know that you can certainly lose your hair and have the chemo not work, or at least not work completely enough. The only thing that hair loss proves is that the chemo is killing the cells responsible for making hair. In order for the chemo to "work," it needs to kill essentially every last cancer cell, or the few that survive will be able to take over and multiply just as they did originally. And if the ones that survive are inherently resistant to the chemo, a new method of treatment (e.g. different chemo agent) will need to be found.

    That's kind of our problem in a nutshell, when you think about it. Hope all is well with you, Gayle.

    :)
    That is a fine explanation. I would just add that many chemos do not just target cancer cells, but all cells. Thus the need for things like neupogen and neulasta and time off for platelets to regroup, among other things.

    But well said.

    Take care, my friend,

    Joe
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #25
    soccerfreaks said:

    :)
    That is a fine explanation. I would just add that many chemos do not just target cancer cells, but all cells. Thus the need for things like neupogen and neulasta and time off for platelets to regroup, among other things.

    But well said.

    Take care, my friend,

    Joe

    Hair loss....
    Unfortunately hair loss is not an indicator that the chemo is working. I went through chemo (cisplatin) 2 years ago and never lost my hair. I kept asking the doctor if this meant the chemo wasn't working and he said no!! The chemo shrank the tumors and I was in remission for 2 years. I am currently in treatment for a recurrence (taxol/carboplatin) and I lost my hair 12 days after the 1st infusion. I know it has shrunk the tumors some and will find out if they are continuing to shrink on the 12th.

    Stay well,
    Glenna
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member
    #26
    Glenna M said:

    Hair loss....
    Unfortunately hair loss is not an indicator that the chemo is working. I went through chemo (cisplatin) 2 years ago and never lost my hair. I kept asking the doctor if this meant the chemo wasn't working and he said no!! The chemo shrank the tumors and I was in remission for 2 years. I am currently in treatment for a recurrence (taxol/carboplatin) and I lost my hair 12 days after the 1st infusion. I know it has shrunk the tumors some and will find out if they are continuing to shrink on the 12th.

    Stay well,
    Glenna

    Well-stated about the other side of the coin ...
    ... i.e. you can keep your hair even if the chemo IS working, especially depending on the chemo agent.

    Bottom line: If there were any direct relation between hair loss and chemo efficacy, we could probably save a lot of money on diagnostic tests!
  • gayletaps
    gayletaps Member Posts: 26
    #27
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    I'm no expert, but ...
    ... I have enough of a bio background and have read enough to know that you can certainly lose your hair and have the chemo not work, or at least not work completely enough. The only thing that hair loss proves is that the chemo is killing the cells responsible for making hair. In order for the chemo to "work," it needs to kill essentially every last cancer cell, or the few that survive will be able to take over and multiply just as they did originally. And if the ones that survive are inherently resistant to the chemo, a new method of treatment (e.g. different chemo agent) will need to be found.

    That's kind of our problem in a nutshell, when you think about it. Hope all is well with you, Gayle.

    another question about chemo success
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller and others thanks for responding to my hair loss question. I sort of thought it, but I was hoping it was some indication that chemo was killing cancer cells. I just completed my fourth and final chemo treatment after surgery, then I have to wait for two months to get a pet scan. I am already having scanxiety. I had a right middle lobe removed in September, and 4 months of chemo. I'm worried that if the chemo hasn't done its job, is it possible that other cancers developed over the 4 months. The surgeon said he got it all, and the 4 months of chemo was to make sure there are no hiding cancer cells. My new question then is, could something have grown over the 4 months even while going through chemo. Please help me understand this. thanks, gayle
  • gayletaps
    gayletaps Member Posts: 26
    #28
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    I'm no expert, but ...
    ... I have enough of a bio background and have read enough to know that you can certainly lose your hair and have the chemo not work, or at least not work completely enough. The only thing that hair loss proves is that the chemo is killing the cells responsible for making hair. In order for the chemo to "work," it needs to kill essentially every last cancer cell, or the few that survive will be able to take over and multiply just as they did originally. And if the ones that survive are inherently resistant to the chemo, a new method of treatment (e.g. different chemo agent) will need to be found.

    That's kind of our problem in a nutshell, when you think about it. Hope all is well with you, Gayle.

    another question about chemo success
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller and others thanks for responding to my hair loss question. I sort of thought it, but I was hoping it was some indication that chemo was killing cancer cells. I just completed my fourth and final chemo treatment after surgery, then I have to wait for two months to get a pet scan. I am already having scanxiety. I had a right middle lobe removed in September, and 4 months of chemo. I'm worried that if the chemo hasn't done its job, is it possible that other cancers developed over the 4 months. The surgeon said he got it all, and the 4 months of chemo was to make sure there are no hiding cancer cells. My new question then is, could something have grown over the 4 months even while going through chemo. Please help me understand this. thanks, gayle
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member
    #29
    gayletaps said:

    another question about chemo success
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller and others thanks for responding to my hair loss question. I sort of thought it, but I was hoping it was some indication that chemo was killing cancer cells. I just completed my fourth and final chemo treatment after surgery, then I have to wait for two months to get a pet scan. I am already having scanxiety. I had a right middle lobe removed in September, and 4 months of chemo. I'm worried that if the chemo hasn't done its job, is it possible that other cancers developed over the 4 months. The surgeon said he got it all, and the 4 months of chemo was to make sure there are no hiding cancer cells. My new question then is, could something have grown over the 4 months even while going through chemo. Please help me understand this. thanks, gayle

    Yes
    Something could have grown over the four months even in the presence of chemo (there is no guarantee it will work), but it is MUCH less likely that it would grow than in the absence of chemo. I think that's about the best assurance we get.

    I'm totally with you on the scanxiety; have one coming up myself in exactly a month.

    All the best to you, Gayle.
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #30
    gayletaps said:

    another question about chemo success
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller and others thanks for responding to my hair loss question. I sort of thought it, but I was hoping it was some indication that chemo was killing cancer cells. I just completed my fourth and final chemo treatment after surgery, then I have to wait for two months to get a pet scan. I am already having scanxiety. I had a right middle lobe removed in September, and 4 months of chemo. I'm worried that if the chemo hasn't done its job, is it possible that other cancers developed over the 4 months. The surgeon said he got it all, and the 4 months of chemo was to make sure there are no hiding cancer cells. My new question then is, could something have grown over the 4 months even while going through chemo. Please help me understand this. thanks, gayle

    Gayle
    You really need to calm down and stop worrying, I know it's easier said than done but it's not healthy to worry so much.

    If you had your middle lobe removed and the chemo was done to assure they got all the cells then you have a pretty good chance of remission. I don't use the word cure because I'm not sure they can cure any of us but you sound like you have a lot going for you that will increase your chances for long term survival.

    Yes, it is possible for cancer to grow while receiving chemo but if they think they got all of it during surgery I wouldn't worry about it at all.

    Please, stop worrying and enjoy life.

    My best to you always,
    Glenna
  • Sandblaster
    Sandblaster Member Posts: 17
    #31
    gayletaps said:

    another question about chemo success
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller and others thanks for responding to my hair loss question. I sort of thought it, but I was hoping it was some indication that chemo was killing cancer cells. I just completed my fourth and final chemo treatment after surgery, then I have to wait for two months to get a pet scan. I am already having scanxiety. I had a right middle lobe removed in September, and 4 months of chemo. I'm worried that if the chemo hasn't done its job, is it possible that other cancers developed over the 4 months. The surgeon said he got it all, and the 4 months of chemo was to make sure there are no hiding cancer cells. My new question then is, could something have grown over the 4 months even while going through chemo. Please help me understand this. thanks, gayle

    Another take
    Hey Gayle, I also had my RML removed last August. They got the whole tumor, however 5 if 5 lymph node were involved with free floating cells within the lobe. Onc. said no radiation because their was no tumor. I had 4 aggressive cycles of Cysplatin/Etopiside. I had every side effect you could imagine. 5 anti nausea meds but still was nauseaus and throwing up. Lost all my hair and have serious tinitus. However, I had my 6 week PET scan and all is clear. I hope mine can stay consistantly clear like others here. Sorry about the scanxiety. I stay in the moment, make the best of everything in front of me and if the day comes that it is back.......guess Ill have to change my plans again. Good luck......a fellow traveler
  • gayletaps
    gayletaps Member Posts: 26
    #32
    Sandblaster said:

    Another take
    Hey Gayle, I also had my RML removed last August. They got the whole tumor, however 5 if 5 lymph node were involved with free floating cells within the lobe. Onc. said no radiation because their was no tumor. I had 4 aggressive cycles of Cysplatin/Etopiside. I had every side effect you could imagine. 5 anti nausea meds but still was nauseaus and throwing up. Lost all my hair and have serious tinitus. However, I had my 6 week PET scan and all is clear. I hope mine can stay consistantly clear like others here. Sorry about the scanxiety. I stay in the moment, make the best of everything in front of me and if the day comes that it is back.......guess Ill have to change my plans again. Good luck......a fellow traveler

    Thank you guys
    It's been a week now since my 4 of 4 carbloplanin/Taxol. They upped my last dose. I am inspired by Sandblaster's story because it does give me hope. I also want to thank others for calming me down. I do feel alot better than I did before surgery. Although walking the hills with my wonderful dog is not as easy as it was, I can certainly see improvement. Everytime I reach a number on the breather, I raise it (2250)I work hard at raising it to the next level. I will get a pet scan in a couple months. Will let you know the results. Love staying in touch.
  • gayletaps
    gayletaps Member Posts: 26
    #33
    Sandblaster said:

    Another take
    Hey Gayle, I also had my RML removed last August. They got the whole tumor, however 5 if 5 lymph node were involved with free floating cells within the lobe. Onc. said no radiation because their was no tumor. I had 4 aggressive cycles of Cysplatin/Etopiside. I had every side effect you could imagine. 5 anti nausea meds but still was nauseaus and throwing up. Lost all my hair and have serious tinitus. However, I had my 6 week PET scan and all is clear. I hope mine can stay consistantly clear like others here. Sorry about the scanxiety. I stay in the moment, make the best of everything in front of me and if the day comes that it is back.......guess Ill have to change my plans again. Good luck......a fellow traveler

    Thank you guys
    It's been a week now since my 4 of 4 carbloplanin/Taxol. They upped my last dose. I am inspired by Sandblaster's story because it does give me hope. I also want to thank others for calming me down. I do feel alot better than I did before surgery. Although walking the hills with my wonderful dog is not as easy as it was, I can certainly see improvement. Everytime I reach a number on the breather, I raise it (2250)I work hard at raising it to the next level. I will get a pet scan in a couple months. Will let you know the results. Love staying in touch.

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