Small cell lung cancer....

mrsbart
mrsbart Member Posts: 2
in Lung Cancer #1
Hello. I am new here. My name is Donna. I am 58 years old and was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in August of last year. Four months earlier I had just finished treatment for DCIS breast cancer with radiation and lumpectomy. I was told my lung cancer is NOT mets from the breast cancer and is a completely different kind of cancer. My lung cancer is limited and was caught fairly early, with the cancer being only in one lung with some spread to lymph nodes. I just completed all my treatments for the lung cancer. I had radiation and chemo with Cisplatin and Etoposide. I just completed whole brain radiation last week. My last scan showed no evidence of disease.

I am looking for others who have small cell lung cancer to learn about their treatments and how they are doing and coping. I would also like some advice on how to cope with my disease. I am having a really tough time with this. I attended a lung cancer support group at the cancer center I went to, but hearing that I am not alone really did not help much. I also took a meditation class, but this does not seem to be helping either. I do not want to have to take any anti-depresssants, but I guess I will if I have to. I do have Ativan on hand for really bad days (which are currently most days).

At present I am on medical leave from work, but will be returning to work in the near future. I have worked in the medical field for 40 years.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from others.

Warmly,

Donna

Comments

  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #2
    Welcome to the csn website
    Welcome to the csn website though I am sorry for the necessity that brings you here. There are many knowledgeable individuals here. In addition to this site you may wish to visit inspire.com. There are separate pages there for sclc and nsclc broken down by stage. One of my favorite things about this site is the chatroom, perhaps we will be able to chat there one day.
  • mrsbart
    mrsbart Member Posts: 2
    #3
    dennycee said:

    Welcome to the csn website
    Welcome to the csn website though I am sorry for the necessity that brings you here. There are many knowledgeable individuals here. In addition to this site you may wish to visit inspire.com. There are separate pages there for sclc and nsclc broken down by stage. One of my favorite things about this site is the chatroom, perhaps we will be able to chat there one day.

    Thank you!!
    I will check it out, dennycee.
  • imead
    imead Member Posts: 2
    #4
    non-small cell
    Hi Donna, I also have non-small cell lung cancer and had my upper right lobe removed in January and am in the process of undergoing chemotherapy (Cisplatin and Vinolerbine). I am in my first round of treatment (two weeks with both, two with just Vanillabean as I call it). I am not feeling well and wonder how long it will take to get through the horrible feeling. I am supposed to do 4 rounds, 3 if that's all I can do. I was tested positive for egfr. I am 63 and considered in a non-smoking group, although I smoked as a teen. Have you looked into the egfr issues? I'm not sure that I understand all the ramifications, but Memorial Sloan Kettering was very positive about treatment for this.

    I have taken Ativan at night to relax and get some sleep. Definitely, try some to help you through the worst times. Mostly I have stomach issues, just burping and pain along with the normal side effects.

    Feel better,

    Irene
  • imead
    imead Member Posts: 2
    #5
    non-small cell
    Hi Donna, I also have non-small cell lung cancer and had my upper right lobe removed in January and am in the process of undergoing chemotherapy (Cisplatin and Vinolerbine). I am in my first round of treatment (two weeks with both, two with just Vanillabean as I call it). I am not feeling well and wonder how long it will take to get through the horrible feeling. I am supposed to do 4 rounds, 3 if that's all I can do. I was tested positive for egfr. I am 63 and considered in a non-smoking group, although I smoked as a teen. Have you looked into the egfr issues? I'm not sure that I understand all the ramifications, but Memorial Sloan Kettering was very positive about treatment for this.

    I have taken Ativan at night to relax and get some sleep. Definitely, try some to help you through the worst times. Mostly I have stomach issues, just burping and pain along with the normal side effects.

    Feel better,

    Irene
  • mikedickerson
    mikedickerson Member Posts: 6
    #6
    hello donna
    hi donna my name is amy i also have sclc i am also looking for someone that is going threw this to talk to please call me anytime donna at (AMY) 262-298-5107 i am really looking forward to your call
  • micha_d
    micha_d Member Posts: 4
    #7
    guided visualization
    Hi Donna,

    I just joined this and have non small cell cancer, diagnosed in January. I don't have many details on treatment but can ask my DR's for any info you may want.

    Have you tried guided visualization? There is a ton of it for free on Youtube that I tried. One of my favorites is Andrew Weil Spontaneous Healing. My mother and Aunt also love him and find it helpful to have a guide instead of alone meditation. I was able to control what felt like uncontrollable anxiety using this when I had a surgery that I was dreading!

    Good luck,
    Michelle
  • Joy_ful
    Joy_ful Member Posts: 1
    #8
    Lung Cancer
    Hi Donna, I'm so sorry to hear of your struggle. I am 64 and going through the same thing. I am currently going through Chemo for agressive breast cancer after having s double mastectomy last April. My oncologist sent me for a Pet scan a month ago and we found a lung nodule that it turns out is small cell lung cancer. I'm not seeing a Pulmonary Surgeon until June because my oncologist wants me to complete the Chemo first. The breast cancer has been hard to deal with, but I kept thinking it would be over soon and I could get back to my life again. Now with this new diagnosis I've been trying to get my head around it but it's hard. I am wondering what tomorrow, next week, or next month will be for me and my family. It's really tough having this hanging over my head. The only help I've found is to keep busy and spend time with friends and family trying to keep my mind on other things.
    I wish you the best and will add you to my prayers.

    Joy_ful

Discussion Boards