33 year old husband has Non Small Cell Lung Cancer - Please Help...

costello782
costello782 Member Posts: 19
in Lung Cancer #1
Hello - My husband is a 33 year old non smoker and has been diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer in March 2012. He was not feeling well for a few months with a dry cough which turned into flu like symptoms. His PCP prescribed numerous meds and thought he had pneumonia. He came home from work one night and was complaining of blurred vision, fever & chills. I took him to the ER and he was admitted. The following morning he met with a pulmonary doctor who performed a bronchoscopy. From here, we were told that my husband had mold in his lungs. He was placed on medication for this. A month later he had a follow up with his doctor who informed him that mold was NOT in his lungs. My husband was sent for a CT scan & was told the following morning that he had a collapsed right lung. A chest tube was put in immediately & a right lung biopsy was done. This came back as cancer. We went for a second opinion & cancer was confirmed. My husband underwent a few surgical procedures & has 2 tumors in his right lung, right lymph nodes & "suspicious" spots in his left lung. He also has a spot that showed on his PET scan under his left armpit. A tumor broke in his right lung and the surgeons are concerned that cancer has seeded in his pleural cavity. He has just began his treatment with Carboplat, Alimta & Avastin. During this diagnosis period I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with our first child. Our son was born on April 18, 2012 and my husand started chemotherapy on May 1, 2012. I am very emotional as well as my husband. We have attributed our lives to God & keep faith that He will provide healing. I just wanted to see if anyone can give advice of these drugs or if anyone has a similar story. Please keep us in your prayers. Than you.
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Comments

  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291
    #2
    Stage IV
    Hello Costello-----I hear and feel your story.....33 is young but it happens more than we think...as well as non-smokers are about 20% of LC patients. I have similar issues but am going on two yrs! We have to accept that it is what it is. Its more tough without your God.

    If there are "too many" tumors they will just do chemo unless a tumor is pressing on an organ causing immediate pain, then they might do some surgery and radiation.

    Keep us updated...

    Best wishes...
    Dave
    Stage IV nsclc rl and lymphs, and brain mets
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member
    #3
    It's always a hard hit ...
    ... when you get news that your body has gone haywire like this, especially at a young age.

    Similar here in the advanced stage (IIIB, lymph node involvement), never-smoker, and the "You have A,B,C ... oops, no you don't, you have cancer" sequence, which isn't that uncommon, especially for a non-smoker.

    Hopefully he will get good results out of the chemos. Then maybe they can try some other things, e.g. targeted radiation, to put an additional hit on it, if needed.

    Two years past diagnosis for me, and no recurrence identified as yet. There is room for hope.

    All the best to you both.
  • ColoradoDani
    ColoradoDani Member Posts: 65
    #4
    Hang in there
    I'm so sorry. It wasn't that long ago that my husband and I went through the roller coaster ride of diagnosis, too. He's a non-smoker and 47. Has your husband been tested for gene mutations in the cancer (EGFR and ALK)? If not, ask for these. There's a much higher likelihood that he'll have one of these mutations considering his age and smoking status, which would enable him to try targeted therapies. My husband has EGFR mutation and is on Tarceva, which he began after recurrence after 6 months of being NED (no evidence of disease) after chemo and radiation. The news may not get better, but somehow things begin to calm down and you'll eventually find moments of normalcy that stretch longer and longer as you all adjust. I know our life is pretty much normal now, but every so often, we remember that cancer has invaded, then have a little meltdown and resume life.
  • ColoradoDani
    ColoradoDani Member Posts: 65
    #5
    Hang in there
    double post
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #6
    Dapsterd said:

    Stage IV
    Hello Costello-----I hear and feel your story.....33 is young but it happens more than we think...as well as non-smokers are about 20% of LC patients. I have similar issues but am going on two yrs! We have to accept that it is what it is. Its more tough without your God.

    If there are "too many" tumors they will just do chemo unless a tumor is pressing on an organ causing immediate pain, then they might do some surgery and radiation.

    Keep us updated...

    Best wishes...
    Dave
    Stage IV nsclc rl and lymphs, and brain mets

    We are just having such a
    We are just having such a hard time because of his age and the fact that he is a non smoker.

    His treatment plan changed a few different times. We were told that he would be getting radiation in addition to chemo. This changed because of the tumor that burst. His oncologist was concerned this may have spread so she said the chemo given alone would be able to be received in a higher dosage than with radiation. She is assuming that with this higher dosage, any cancer that has spread through the body will have a better chance of beaing treated right out of the gate. Their plan is to hit hard with chemo, possibly radiation if needed, then surgery. We pray everyday this goes as planned.

    Good to hear about you going on 2 years! I will say a prayer for you :) Thank you!
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #7
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    It's always a hard hit ...
    ... when you get news that your body has gone haywire like this, especially at a young age.

    Similar here in the advanced stage (IIIB, lymph node involvement), never-smoker, and the "You have A,B,C ... oops, no you don't, you have cancer" sequence, which isn't that uncommon, especially for a non-smoker.

    Hopefully he will get good results out of the chemos. Then maybe they can try some other things, e.g. targeted radiation, to put an additional hit on it, if needed.

    Two years past diagnosis for me, and no recurrence identified as yet. There is room for hope.

    All the best to you both.

    Exactly!! We only heard
    Exactly!! We only heard CANCER. We just could not get past the awful word. No matter what staging, it is still cancer and terrifies us. We are praying for good results also. Their plan is chemo, then possibly radiation in addition to another round of chemo, then surgery if all is shrinking enough. We pray everyday! I will keep you in our prayers also. Glad to hear of your two years!

    Thank you :)
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #8
    ColoradoDani said:

    Hang in there
    I'm so sorry. It wasn't that long ago that my husband and I went through the roller coaster ride of diagnosis, too. He's a non-smoker and 47. Has your husband been tested for gene mutations in the cancer (EGFR and ALK)? If not, ask for these. There's a much higher likelihood that he'll have one of these mutations considering his age and smoking status, which would enable him to try targeted therapies. My husband has EGFR mutation and is on Tarceva, which he began after recurrence after 6 months of being NED (no evidence of disease) after chemo and radiation. The news may not get better, but somehow things begin to calm down and you'll eventually find moments of normalcy that stretch longer and longer as you all adjust. I know our life is pretty much normal now, but every so often, we remember that cancer has invaded, then have a little meltdown and resume life.

    I am sorry for you also! His
    I am sorry for you also! His oncologist mentioned the genetic mutations & I believe she was waiting on these results to come back. I will mention at our next appointment to make sure. Any little bit of leadway helps! I agree with finding normalcy any way that you can. I have been trying so hard to somehow continue to do normal things that we used to do before cancer came into our lives. You manage, but it is always in the back our your mind. We have our good days and bad. It is just so hard waiting and not knowing what will come next. Thank you for responding. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers.
  • Tigger1962
    Tigger1962 Member Posts: 5
    #9
    Prayers
    My prayers are with you and your family.
  • djchaves
    djchaves Member Posts: 20
    #10
    Hang in there
    I'm sorry to hear about your husband, my prayers are with you. I have two young children and know how hard it is being a new mom. Stay strong and stay positive. Most importantly enjoy your little son and always remember that it gets better. Please rely on family friends for help with both your husband and son.
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #11
    Tigger1962 said:

    Prayers
    My prayers are with you and your family.

    Thank you very much.

    Thank you very much.
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #12
    djchaves said:

    Hang in there
    I'm sorry to hear about your husband, my prayers are with you. I have two young children and know how hard it is being a new mom. Stay strong and stay positive. Most importantly enjoy your little son and always remember that it gets better. Please rely on family friends for help with both your husband and son.

    Thank you very much. Our son
    Thank you very much. Our son brightens our hearts each time we look at him. I think he is the reason we are going strong. Our family & friends have been wonderful. So far after my husband's first chemo treatment he has not had any side effects. We continue to pray and remain positive! :)
  • mexloc
    mexloc Member Posts: 10
    #13
    Hello Costello,
    So sorry to
    Hello Costello,

    So sorry to hear about your husband. I was diagnosed 6 months ago with stage IV nsclc. I'm a non smoker. I must say it takes a while to get over the initial shock. Still some days I think its just a bad dream. I pray that God strenghtens the both of you as you continue on your journey with this aweful disease.
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #14
    mexloc said:

    Hello Costello,
    So sorry to
    Hello Costello,

    So sorry to hear about your husband. I was diagnosed 6 months ago with stage IV nsclc. I'm a non smoker. I must say it takes a while to get over the initial shock. Still some days I think its just a bad dream. I pray that God strenghtens the both of you as you continue on your journey with this aweful disease.

    Hi Mexloc
    Very sorry to hear
    Hi Mexloc

    Very sorry to hear of your diagnosis..We feel the same way about this being a bad dream. Thank you for your kind words. May I ask what your current treatment plan is and if you have received any results? We are new at this and have only been to one chemo round so far. My husband's next scan is early June so we are hoping to see that everything is shrinking...
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #15
    mexloc said:

    Hello Costello,
    So sorry to
    Hello Costello,

    So sorry to hear about your husband. I was diagnosed 6 months ago with stage IV nsclc. I'm a non smoker. I must say it takes a while to get over the initial shock. Still some days I think its just a bad dream. I pray that God strenghtens the both of you as you continue on your journey with this aweful disease.

    Hi Mexloc
    Very sorry to hear
    Hi Mexloc

    Very sorry to hear of your diagnosis..We feel the same way about this being a bad dream. Thank you for your kind words. May I ask what your current treatment plan is and if you have received any results? We are new at this and have only been to one chemo round so far. My husband's next scan is early June so we are hoping to see that everything is shrinking...We will keep you in our prayers
  • mexloc
    mexloc Member Posts: 10
    #16
    costello782 said:

    Hi Mexloc
    Very sorry to hear
    Hi Mexloc

    Very sorry to hear of your diagnosis..We feel the same way about this being a bad dream. Thank you for your kind words. May I ask what your current treatment plan is and if you have received any results? We are new at this and have only been to one chemo round so far. My husband's next scan is early June so we are hoping to see that everything is shrinking...We will keep you in our prayers

    Latest on my treatment
    Hi Costello,

    I started chemo right after I was diagnosed in November 2011. I had 6 rounds of chemo with Cisplatin and Alimta. I had a treatment every 3 weeks. Unfortunately I could not be treated with radiation or surgery. I had a pericardial effusion (fluid around my heart)and I've been told this is the reason why they could not radiate or remove the tumor. My 1st round of chemo went well and after my 2nd round the side effects started kicking in. I had a CT scan after my 2nd round and already they had seen improvement of 25% shrinkage of the the tumor in my right lung. March 2, 2012 I finished my 6th treatment but no changes from the 25% improvement. The plan was to continue on a maintenamce Alimta every 3 weeks indefinetly. I decided to take a break from the chemo and strenghten my body. 3 weeks ago I started coughing similiar to when I was first diagnosed. My last CT scan showed some activity and the tumor grew to almost the same size as when it first was discovered. I had a biospy 2 weeks ago to see if I carry the gene to qualify for the EGFR and ALK New approved drugs for lung cancer. I hope and pray that I am a canditate. If not then the plan is for more chemo. I also with the help of my husband have started to look into clinical trials. I hope and pray your husbands treatment shrinks everything too. Stay strong and I will keep your family in my prayers.
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #17
    mexloc said:

    Latest on my treatment
    Hi Costello,

    I started chemo right after I was diagnosed in November 2011. I had 6 rounds of chemo with Cisplatin and Alimta. I had a treatment every 3 weeks. Unfortunately I could not be treated with radiation or surgery. I had a pericardial effusion (fluid around my heart)and I've been told this is the reason why they could not radiate or remove the tumor. My 1st round of chemo went well and after my 2nd round the side effects started kicking in. I had a CT scan after my 2nd round and already they had seen improvement of 25% shrinkage of the the tumor in my right lung. March 2, 2012 I finished my 6th treatment but no changes from the 25% improvement. The plan was to continue on a maintenamce Alimta every 3 weeks indefinetly. I decided to take a break from the chemo and strenghten my body. 3 weeks ago I started coughing similiar to when I was first diagnosed. My last CT scan showed some activity and the tumor grew to almost the same size as when it first was discovered. I had a biospy 2 weeks ago to see if I carry the gene to qualify for the EGFR and ALK New approved drugs for lung cancer. I hope and pray that I am a canditate. If not then the plan is for more chemo. I also with the help of my husband have started to look into clinical trials. I hope and pray your husbands treatment shrinks everything too. Stay strong and I will keep your family in my prayers.

    Hi Mexloc,
    It is bad enough
    Hi Mexloc,

    It is bad enough having cancer but having the pericardial effusion too!!! I have also heard of others that have suffered and are not surgical candidates because of this. You mentioned that your side effects started kicking in after your second round. I am afraid this will happen with my husband. The first round went so smoothly we were anticipating sickness or many other side effects that were mentioned. I pray he continues with no side effects. He is also having a CT scan after his 2nd round. I can not believe that it grew so aggressively in such a short period of time. I agree that you did the right thing by strengthening your body. Those drugs sure take a toll. God does answer prayers as we have been accepted into a clinical trial. We pray that you qualify as well. Stay strong and continue to be positive!!!
  • Rosi
    Rosi Member Posts: 69
    #18
    costello782 said:

    Hi Mexloc,
    It is bad enough
    Hi Mexloc,

    It is bad enough having cancer but having the pericardial effusion too!!! I have also heard of others that have suffered and are not surgical candidates because of this. You mentioned that your side effects started kicking in after your second round. I am afraid this will happen with my husband. The first round went so smoothly we were anticipating sickness or many other side effects that were mentioned. I pray he continues with no side effects. He is also having a CT scan after his 2nd round. I can not believe that it grew so aggressively in such a short period of time. I agree that you did the right thing by strengthening your body. Those drugs sure take a toll. God does answer prayers as we have been accepted into a clinical trial. We pray that you qualify as well. Stay strong and continue to be positive!!!

    Praying for you guys
    With God all things are possible, remember costello that God is always with you.
    love.
    rosi
  • costello782
    costello782 Member Posts: 19
    #19
    Rosi said:

    Praying for you guys
    With God all things are possible, remember costello that God is always with you.
    love.
    rosi

    Thank you Rosi! We believe
    Thank you Rosi! We believe this & pray to God every day! So far with two rounds Mark has not had any side effects besides fatigue. God has blessed us in so many ways thus far and we know he will not fail us. Bless you!
  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291
    #20
    costello782 said:

    Thank you Rosi! We believe
    Thank you Rosi! We believe this & pray to God every day! So far with two rounds Mark has not had any side effects besides fatigue. God has blessed us in so many ways thus far and we know he will not fail us. Bless you!

    Smoke Clears
    Hello All....I dont know if it really matters if a person is a smoker or not, drug addict, prostitute...whatever....I would not wish cancer on anyone.. but anyone can get it !!

    Best Wishes
    Dave
  • machja
    machja Member Posts: 2
    #21
    Clinical Study
    My 71 yr old exsmoker (quit 21 yrs ago) mother as diagnoised in Febuary of this year with Stage 3b nsclc. She was not a candidate for surgery or radiation because she has COPD and emphazyma. We started taxol/carbo. After her diagnosis, I immediately looked for clinical trials. I found a Sun Farm Soup trial out of Mt Sinai in NYC. It is for stage 3/4 lung cancer patients diagnoised w/in 2 months and undergoing no more than 1 chemo treatment. My mom fit that, emailed the doctor and she was a candidate. The dr also told me that we could stay home and purchase the soup ($750/month) which is what we chose to do. Enrolling in the study wouldn't ensure she didnt the a placedbo. She continued w/ 4 rounds of chemo - the 1st one kicked her butt but she started the soup 3 days after the 1st treatment and has not missed one single day since. She just received her latest PET scan results and tumor has shrunk 70% after 4 chemos. She is now a candidate for both radiation and surgery!! I know it is very pricey but we truly believe (as does the radiologist we met with) that the soup has made the difference. We also pray everyday and have 'shrines' in each of our homes for our mother. Something is going right. Something to look into. May God bless you as he has us. I know we still have a long road ahead, but we are all very positive!!!

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