survivors of Terminal Stage 4 lung cancer

River view said:

5 Years and Counting
I have only just joined this site but I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in March 2007. I was inoperable and had masses in both lungs. I endorsed 2 years of core chemo before it spread to my neck and then 6 months of a trial. My neck cleared but it reared it's ugly head in my right Adrenal Gland. At that time, I started Alimpta which at the time was a 2nd line drug. That along with (as my doctor puts it) my determination found me with only one tumor which had shrunk to a very small one, in August of 2011. At that point, I had been on chemo for over 4 years. My doctor along with 3 other doctors decided to give me the option of a fairly new type of Radiation for lung cancer which had only been used with Stage I . It was 5 doses of extreme radiation over a 10 day period. Four months later, scans showed no new signs of cancer and the charred remains of what they had zapped. I am going for the scheduled 3 month scan in a couple of weeks. I feel fine, a little short breath sometimes, but that's nothing! I haven't had chemo since July 2011 and celebrated 5 years and still fighting this past March. So my message is to keep fighting the fight as science is getting better and better. Believe in tomorrow as I was not expected to have too many of them.

Sincerely. ....

Hi.. My father was diagnosed
Hi.. My father was diagnosed non small cell carcinoma stage 4. My father is doing radiation now. The doctor said that he'll start the chemo next week, but it's only paliative. May I know where was you go for the treatment? And is there any slecial diet for you? Could you share what treatment you get in detail? You're story has give us hope. I really appreciate for the sharing. I'm sorry for my bad english. Thank you so much.

mdx 1106
dear members

if we create a cocktail of pd 1 pd 53 and mdx 1106 can we all share the results looking to start my own trial at moffit in tampa august 2012


thanks
mgt

River view said:

Not only Surviving but Thriving
Stardust, I celebrated 5 years this past March. I contribute it to incredible doctors and they say it is my determined attitude. It might be both but after the shock and anger wore off, I decided to do my best to stay positive while waiting for science to step up. I had it in both lungs and then it spread to my neck and adrenal gland. NOTHING is showing right now and I go for scans every 3 months. So Always have faith, hope and most important, BELIEVE in your own strength to WIN.

Hope IS contagious
I'm so happy that I found this discussion board because it's exactly what I needed to read to feel hopeful again.
Back in February of this year, my mother, who is 66, was diagnosed with breast cancer, but was a different type than the breast cancer she beat nearly 30 years ago. In any case, she had a mastectomy and her lymph nodes were supposedly clear of any cancer. Fast forward to this September in which she was to undergo a hysterectomy for suspicious spots on her ovaries. When she went in for pre-op tests, she also needed to have a chest xray done. At first they were just going to use the x-ray she just had not even four months prior, but the hospital had not sent them over in time, so a new set of x-rays were done. If it wasn't for that, we would have never learned that my mother had 8 tumors on her lungs. I feel like that was a miracle in itself, and makes think there is a reason why that had all happened in the first place.

Today we received results from her brain MRI and they found a tumor in her brain. She also has a lump under her arm, and her pelvis, and has been complaining of bad back pain.

My mind instantly went to the worst place possible, and doing goggle searches of life expectancy was a terrible idea on my part, but that was until I found this forum. Reading all of your stories and positivity brings my hope alive again. I have to remind myself that everyone's situation is different, and cancer is not always a life sentence. We all don't live forever, but you always hope that somehow that won't apply to our loved ones. My dream is to have my mother watch me walk down the aisle, but regardless of any outcome, I know she'll forever be with me.

River view said:

5 Years and Counting
I have only just joined this site but I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in March 2007. I was inoperable and had masses in both lungs. I endorsed 2 years of core chemo before it spread to my neck and then 6 months of a trial. My neck cleared but it reared it's ugly head in my right Adrenal Gland. At that time, I started Alimpta which at the time was a 2nd line drug. That along with (as my doctor puts it) my determination found me with only one tumor which had shrunk to a very small one, in August of 2011. At that point, I had been on chemo for over 4 years. My doctor along with 3 other doctors decided to give me the option of a fairly new type of Radiation for lung cancer which had only been used with Stage I . It was 5 doses of extreme radiation over a 10 day period. Four months later, scans showed no new signs of cancer and the charred remains of what they had zapped. I am going for the scheduled 3 month scan in a couple of weeks. I feel fine, a little short breath sometimes, but that's nothing! I haven't had chemo since July 2011 and celebrated 5 years and still fighting this past March. So my message is to keep fighting the fight as science is getting better and better. Believe in tomorrow as I was not expected to have too many of them.

Sincerely. ....

Stage 4 KC. Nsc
Can you please give a contact and phone number. The name of the treatment. I am almost3 years but the doctors have run out of options and say I have 3 or 4 months. after 5 types of chemo And I am a fighter under God's protection. Thanks so much,,,

Jack O'Hara

Gelly said:

God is good!
Hi Mark. I was diagnosed stage 4 small cell lung cancer (mastitis to brain) in May. I have had a lot of prayers and said a lot of prayers. I believe this and a positive attitude helps. My brain tumor was gone after 15 radiation treatments and my lung tumor has shrunk from the size of a grapefruit to the size of a cocktail weenie (dr.'s words, lol). I am currently having radiation on my lung and will be re-scanned next month. Doc told me he would then determine if I needed 2 more treatments or 5 and I told him I wouldn't need any, because the tumor will be gone....and I truly believe it!

Thank You for sharing your story, it gives everyone hope.....and I hope it turns them to God too.

very good Gelly and Mark
Thats what we all want to hear. Me same as you 2 except only been on a 6 month journey so far. Am putting all efforts into research on what people like you had for treatments, and
well the idea is to run with what worked long term for others. Seems like what to do.
Faith in God to lead me and all of us in the right direction best of all.
My sclc isn't going to get me without a fight. I still got things to do.

River view said:

5 Years and Counting
I have only just joined this site but I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in March 2007. I was inoperable and had masses in both lungs. I endorsed 2 years of core chemo before it spread to my neck and then 6 months of a trial. My neck cleared but it reared it's ugly head in my right Adrenal Gland. At that time, I started Alimpta which at the time was a 2nd line drug. That along with (as my doctor puts it) my determination found me with only one tumor which had shrunk to a very small one, in August of 2011. At that point, I had been on chemo for over 4 years. My doctor along with 3 other doctors decided to give me the option of a fairly new type of Radiation for lung cancer which had only been used with Stage I . It was 5 doses of extreme radiation over a 10 day period. Four months later, scans showed no new signs of cancer and the charred remains of what they had zapped. I am going for the scheduled 3 month scan in a couple of weeks. I feel fine, a little short breath sometimes, but that's nothing! I haven't had chemo since July 2011 and celebrated 5 years and still fighting this past March. So my message is to keep fighting the fight as science is getting better and better. Believe in tomorrow as I was not expected to have too many of them.

Sincerely. ....

How are you doing today, River View? And Can anyone help me?

River View,

Your post caught my attention. My 60 year old father was Dx with Lung Cancer in January, 2012. They considered it to be stage III due to the size of the mass. His oncologist said he would not be a candidate for surgery, though he DID end up having a lobectomy in June, 2012. He finished up with Chemo in August, 2012 and went for his first 4-month check up in November. They said everything looked fine. He just went for his second 4-month check-up last Friday, March. 29, 2013. They saw "inflammation" on the adrenal gland and set him up for a Petscan a few days later (yesterday). The Petscan confirmed lung cancer metastasis to the right Adrenal gland. So far, they do not see it any place else (knock on wood). His oncologist is a "debbie downer" and leaves us not even the slightest bit of hope whatsoever, but we are appreciative of the straight facts anyway. She has already said that it would require "pallative treatment" (chemo) and would not be curable. She quoted us statistics of the average of those with Metasticized cancers living one year from time of dx. We are horrified by this news. I also know that my father has a lot of fight in him. He beat Leukemia 15 years ago and he did well with the lobectomy, showing still 100% breathing, despite the oncologist originally saying he couldnt have surgery. I am not sure what to think. I am hoping it isn't any place else, and just in the adrenal gland so we can treat it. They will treat the whole body of course, but I don't know why his oncologist wont discuss removing the gland if it ends up just there. It almost seems as if she is expecting it to be elsewhere. It seems that you've gone through similar, so any info/advice you can provide is most helpful. I truly hope you are doing well and have continued to beat this cancer. If you see my post, please update me on your situation. I need as much help as I can get rigth now. By the way, I am 28 and about to be married in 6 months. As much as I want my dad to walk me down the aisle, I want him here with us for much longer. I feel like my heart has been strangled.

Lindsey 

River view said:

5 Years and Counting
I have only just joined this site but I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in March 2007. I was inoperable and had masses in both lungs. I endorsed 2 years of core chemo before it spread to my neck and then 6 months of a trial. My neck cleared but it reared it's ugly head in my right Adrenal Gland. At that time, I started Alimpta which at the time was a 2nd line drug. That along with (as my doctor puts it) my determination found me with only one tumor which had shrunk to a very small one, in August of 2011. At that point, I had been on chemo for over 4 years. My doctor along with 3 other doctors decided to give me the option of a fairly new type of Radiation for lung cancer which had only been used with Stage I . It was 5 doses of extreme radiation over a 10 day period. Four months later, scans showed no new signs of cancer and the charred remains of what they had zapped. I am going for the scheduled 3 month scan in a couple of weeks. I feel fine, a little short breath sometimes, but that's nothing! I haven't had chemo since July 2011 and celebrated 5 years and still fighting this past March. So my message is to keep fighting the fight as science is getting better and better. Believe in tomorrow as I was not expected to have too many of them.

Sincerely. ....

Treated & Still Fatal?

I am still unclear on a lot of cancer topics.  I didn't know that after my surgery & now getting chemo & radiation that the cancer could come back and it could be terminal.???

 

I had surgery on the left lung to remove the lower lobe on Feb. 18th 2013.  I am to have 6 weeks of Chemo & Rad.  I started Chemo on Monday & that is once a week and the Rad is every day.

 

I'm a bit lost on this one.  I forgot what stage I began at.  Either it was 3 or 4.  I'll find out for sure this Monday when I go in for 2nd dose of Chemo.

 

soccerfreaks said:

survivors
Stardust, there are indeed survivors of Stage IV lung cancer, some of them on this very site. I am not sure, however, that any of them were told that their particular 'version' was 'terminal'.

The only exception to that that I know of is me, and my story is sort of strange, as I really didn't have stage IV; they just thought I did due to the spread.

Still, I have at least a couple of friends on this site who are stage IV survivors, one with both small and non-small cell, and the other with small cell, if I am not mistaken.

One recently received a proclamation of NED (No Evidence of Disease) and the other is in at least his third year of college (you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, it seems ).

But I would not want to falsely raise your hopes.

If docs are providing treatment (radiation) then they at least have hope of extending life, quality life, for the person we are talking about it here. I would advise that since that time cannot be precisely measured even in the worst case scenario, that it be lived as if every day were the last, spent enjoying life, friends, family, spent loving and laughing.

Life IS precious.

I know this does not help much, but please know that we are getting closer and closer to actually finding ways to reverse cancers; it is just a matter of hanging in there, in my opinion.

Incidentally, and I do not say this flippantly, birth is a terminal disease.

Take care,

Joe

hi

hi.. so i'm wondering, if the doctors doesn't give you radiation treatments anymore, then there's no hope?.. my uncle just had his operation yesterday, water with blood being taken out from his lungs., he was diagnosed with a stage IV lung cancer, and we just knew it 2 weeks ago, he never even smoked and had been living a healthy lifestyle.. they said he'll just live for about 6-10 months.. is there no other way to prolong his life? treatments or others? i've no idea how our family's gonna handle this since he has no wife or kids of his own.. haven't they found anything to cure cancer yet... 

iola_s_mom_is_so_brave said:

which city in China?
Hi keepthehope, My mom got lung cancer stage 4 as well. We are in Shanghai.
Which city are you staying?
Maybe we can help with each other. I need hope too...
My mom is also weak, but believe me, you need to encourage her just like your ID: keep the hope!
We have not told my mom the truth yet. I am planing to tell her and I have faith in her! COME ON! If one person can make it which means it is reachable! Keep the hope, okay?
Leave msgs if you feel want to share. I will keep you posted about me and my mom. You are not alone!!!

Hi there,
 
I'm from Shanghai

Hi there,

 

I'm from Shanghai too and my family lives in Sydney of Australia. My mum was diagnosed Stage IV Non-small cell lung cancer in May 2013. She received radiation therapy for her spine which seemed work, then the doctors put her on Tarceva for 2 months (type of drug), and if it worked, it would shrink the size of the tumors and help controlling others from growing/spreading. Unfortunately, the my mum did not respond to the drug and we are looking to start chemotherapy. What's worse is that one tumor on one of her ribs grew over the 2 months and she will need to receive radiation on that too.

Overall not great news, I'm hoping/praying very very hard for my mum that chemo will work for her like a miracle ....

My mum is only turning 57 yrs old in next month, her life can't end here, I have strong belief and demand her to live long to see me being pregnant, giving birth and raising her grandchildren. She MUST LIVE.

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!

Stage 4 lung cancer

Hi... Wow your story gives me hope for my father who is 64 and diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, also in ribs, lymph nodes and lower back....she had 2 chemo treatments so far and dr said his tumors strank 3/4 so far...what cancer fighting foods did u use???