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dweb135
dweb135 Member Posts: 6
in Lung Cancer #1
I am new to this site. Looking for support. I was diagnosed with stage3B lung cancer. Looking for others like me. Been on lung chat never see anyone on to talk with. I have been threw 30 radiation treatments so far along with once a month chemo. Lost down to 97 pounds so havent had anymore chemo since september. Had a ct scan done last week tumor has shrunk, so this week I start once a month chemo.

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  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #2
    Hi dweb and welcome to the ACS site
    So sorry you have t been able to meet lung people on the chat. I have t been able to access it myself but there are many wonderful caring people here. Wow, 97 lbs is small! What are they giving you to help with your appetite? There is marinol and another drug I can't remember right now that are appetite stimulants. The steroids made me ravenous so putting my weight back on was not an issue for me. Will Alimta be the maintenance chemo they put you on? It's really great that they found shrinkage.

    With stage 3b they are sometimes able to affect a cure. I hope that is the case for you. I look forward to hearing more from you.
  • dweb135
    dweb135 Member Posts: 6
    #3
    dennycee said:

    Hi dweb and welcome to the ACS site
    So sorry you have t been able to meet lung people on the chat. I have t been able to access it myself but there are many wonderful caring people here. Wow, 97 lbs is small! What are they giving you to help with your appetite? There is marinol and another drug I can't remember right now that are appetite stimulants. The steroids made me ravenous so putting my weight back on was not an issue for me. Will Alimta be the maintenance chemo they put you on? It's really great that they found shrinkage.

    With stage 3b they are sometimes able to affect a cure. I hope that is the case for you. I look forward to hearing more from you.

    yes alimta is one of the
    yes alimta is one of the chrmo drugs. the other is carpob something like that. I had to start taking folic acid once a day, then R twelve shot once a month
  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #4
    dweb135 said:

    yes alimta is one of the
    yes alimta is one of the chrmo drugs. the other is carpob something like that. I had to start taking folic acid once a day, then R twelve shot once a month

    Carboplatin maybe? It is a
    Carboplatin maybe? It is a platinum based chemo that will leave a metallic taste in your mouth. Use plastic forks and spoons to lessen the effect. Lemon drops help between meals. Also, carboplatin may cause hair to thin a bit but you should not go bald from it. Not sure about the Alimta though. Eventually your taste buds will return to normal and food will taste good again.

    B12 shots maybe? Good for energy. Drink lots of water including some Gatorade-like beverages to replace electrolytes the water washes out. Don't forget stool softeners, chemo can really bind you up. Rest when you need it and don't be alarmed if you get really tired, it's the chemo working. Feel free to ask about anything.
  • PtheStone
    PtheStone Member Posts: 3
    #5
    chemo is hard I know
    Hello.. I am so sorry to hear your story.. that is a lot of chemos and radiations..
    I am a lung cancer patient also.. I have done chemos and what have you.. I know exactlt what you are going through.. but have you thought of immunotherapy ? Taking part of one of the many vaccine trials out there might be the solution for you.. I can help you I can give you contacts because I am doing that myself...
    Do not give up hope you need to stay strong and positive..

    Take a look at this :

    http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/07/12/ovarian-cancer-vaccine-gives-patients-hope/

    this should explain better
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #6
    New here too !
    dweb135,
    Just starting with this....very unsure of anything yet. This board sounds like a wonderful bunch of people with great advice and information ! I'm from the H/N group...ACC in large saliva gland removed last Dec, and some lymph nodes. Couldn't get clear margins and had perineural invasion. Now this crap has returned in the H/N and sounds like lung mets too. I have one mass that is growing quickly in the lung and they want to aggressively attack it. I am so glad to hear you're treatments are shrinking the tumor ! And yes you are an itsy bitsy. I hope they can help you gain some weight back ! Stay strong and we'll keep in touch ! Katie
  • dweb135
    dweb135 Member Posts: 6
    #7
    dennycee said:

    Carboplatin maybe? It is a
    Carboplatin maybe? It is a platinum based chemo that will leave a metallic taste in your mouth. Use plastic forks and spoons to lessen the effect. Lemon drops help between meals. Also, carboplatin may cause hair to thin a bit but you should not go bald from it. Not sure about the Alimta though. Eventually your taste buds will return to normal and food will taste good again.

    B12 shots maybe? Good for energy. Drink lots of water including some Gatorade-like beverages to replace electrolytes the water washes out. Don't forget stool softeners, chemo can really bind you up. Rest when you need it and don't be alarmed if you get really tired, it's the chemo working. Feel free to ask about anything.

    Carboplatin is the chemo i
    Carboplatin is the chemo i started with along with Taxol . I had these once a week for six weeks. Now I will take carboplatin and Alimta once a month. I still trying to heal my espohagus from the radiation. When I try to eat it still hurts in a few spots going down. I have a lot burning feeling and belching. I see my lung dr. tomorrow so maybe he can give me something for this. Still have no appitiete so i drink a lot of ensure and boost. You are so right about the hair thinning out mine has.
  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #8
    dweb135 said:

    Carboplatin is the chemo i
    Carboplatin is the chemo i started with along with Taxol . I had these once a week for six weeks. Now I will take carboplatin and Alimta once a month. I still trying to heal my espohagus from the radiation. When I try to eat it still hurts in a few spots going down. I have a lot burning feeling and belching. I see my lung dr. tomorrow so maybe he can give me something for this. Still have no appitiete so i drink a lot of ensure and boost. You are so right about the hair thinning out mine has.

    Esophagus pain
    Aloe juice is good. Lots of stores carry it now or food co-ops. Have heard that swallowing a little honey helps, too.

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