survivors of Terminal Stage 4 lung cancer

soccerfreaks said:

my version
suebloom:

I was diagnosed with head/neck cancer the first of september, 2005, surgery in october, chemo and rads into january of '06. In June of '07 results of a cat scan showed 'cancer' across both of my lungs, shotgun-spread. No surgery, no rads, only palliative chemo-therapy offered, and the advice that I had 'a minimum of ten months to live.'

In the meantime, I started taking Keflex for an infection in my jaw and lower face area. Subsequent CAT and PET scans (about two months later) showed that the 'cancer' had disappeared, with one exception: it had clearly been a lung infection of some sort, misread by the experts.

Ultimately, the one remaining node was removed and biopsied, and though it proved to be squamous cell cancer (same as my head/neck cancer) they decided to remove that lower right lung lobe since there was no evidence of any cancer around it. (The node was too small to stage or to determine whether it was indeed metastasis from the tongue/neck.)

Last november ('08) I was diagnosed NED and received the same dx just three weeks ago.

I have a page and a blog on this site, if you would care to read more.

Best wishes to you, suebloom!

Take care,

Joe

Thank you Joe for sharing and giving hope.

I was diagnosed with nsclc in 3/2014 had 1/3of lung removed the cancer came back 1year later in lung,lymph nodes 4 brain mets I had 4 gamma knife 30 rounds radiation on lymph nodes

Began opdivo 14,months ago last 5 scans no new growth or movement.feel opdivo might have giving me some more time

Praying for all of you anyone else having luck with opdivo

my husband went from a stage 2 to a stage 4 while taken strong chemo. how is that possible and why could't they have tested him sooner instead of waiting for a month after the chemo ended than only ordered a cat scan which led to another pet scan. Shouldn't he had the pet scan as soon as he got done chemo to check then. also he was in the local hospital with an uper GI bleed they couldn't pinpoint and blamed it on his low plateletts. He was bleeding from the recdom when he went in . I think his cancer doctor should have ordered a pet scan then instead of a cat scan. 

there was no other cancer showing up on the pet scan when he took the chemo now he is full it just didn't work that is what the oncoligest said. Now he is taken Opdivo when won't cure it. 

MadelynJoe said:

Your Husband
Dear Patti:

I can well understand your distress. My husband is a six year prostate cancer survivor and I am a 4 year nonsmall cell lung cancer survivor. When your husband's Doctors say they can "control" it - they mean it. I know quite a few people that are very long term cancer survivors through my cancer support group. One lady has been treated for metastatic ovarian cancer for 12 years now and she and her husband live active and full lives! I know breast cancer survivors of 20 to 30 years! Our group has long term survivors from every type of cancer imaginable. Metastatic disease can be controlled, you better believe it!

I have been on both ends of cancer; I've been a caregiver for a loved one and I've been a patient. If I had to pick, I would say it was harder going through my husband's diagnosis that mine (because I love him so much). You sound as if you two are very much in love. If you allow yourself give in to the "doom and gloom" thing; you're going to be miserable and so will he.

You are a Marine's wife - you can do ANYTHING! You are accustomed to sacrifice (when he has been on deployment) and you are TOUGH! This does not mean you cannot feel the pain or cry the tears. I have a friend that set a timer for 5 minutes every time she wanted to cry and sometimes had to set it the second time but, she did not give into the doom thing; she stayed positive. Today she is a 10 year breast cancer, double mastectomy survivor!

Put your arms around your husband and tell him something like ... "Our love is strong and we can do anything. We've gone through bad times before and we will do it again. Let's get out there and fight!"

Arm yourself with information. Learn everything you can about this type of cancer and the latest treatments. Don't be afraid to question your doctors or suggest things. You have to be your own advocate in the medical community today. A good doctor will not mind your questions/suggestions. Go to the MD Anderson and Sloane Kettering web sites and get some good information from the experts.

By the way, in case you do not know, when you are searching for information, nasophargeal cancer will apply, NOT lung cancer - even though the small tumor is in the lung. You will still need to search info regarding nasophargeal cancer - the original site.

Sorry this "Pep Talk to the Troops" went too long but, you two sound like fighters and I think you can win this "War".

Best regards,

Madelyn

thank you, i enjoyed your reading, it gives a guy some confidence..

CaringRN said:

Lung Cancer RN
I have been working with Lung cancer patients for quite a while now and I am sorry about your confusion. Let's just say you are not alone. They normally do not radiate multiple areas, which it sounds like your husband has. (Unless they become bothersome - painful, etc.) So it sounds like they are treating things the way they should - with multiple chemos. The first treatment didn't work, so they will try another one and should continue to do so. If they decide to stop, seek another opinion. There are trials out there and I can not tell you if there is one out there your husband is appropriate for. Everyone is different so just hang in there! Let me know if you have any other questions! I am here to help! I have a passion for what I do and I want to help people through this difficult time in their lives.........the last thing a patient or family should have to do is wonder if what they are doing is the right thing.

Thank you very much,, can i ask you some questions some time,

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!

wow, thank you for your story,,

Basil

nessaducky said:

More about your treatment Joe, please
Joe,

My mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 non small cell lung cancer which has metastasized to the pleural lining and space outside the pleural lining of her right lung. She is still up and about and wearing her high heels. She is strong and amazing and forever an inspiration to me. I would like to know what your course of treatment has been. We are just now trying to get her in with doctors and finding her treatment as soon and as fast as we can. This is all so sudden, but I know my mom will get through this and overcome it with God. I am just trying to educate myself with disease and am looking for any and all help.

I appreciate any response to this post. God Bless you!!

-Vanessa

Vanessa,   this sounds like the same thing that i have,   i just had surgery on the 5th  of july  to have my right lung lobe removed,when i woke up inthe recovery room, they told me they didnt go through with the lobe removel because it has metastasized  to the plueral lining,    it sure would of been nice to know this before,  they started this, i still am sore from this procedure,   i go tomorrow to talk to a  doctor about what treatment they think is best,  i to know that god will get me through this,    i am   learning as  much as possible, and it is hard to know what is  the best thing to do,  so many ppl say not to do conventional treatment,   while others say the oppisite,  its so confusing,  im praying that god  will lead me to the right thing,

andiques said:

Stage IV NSCLC already in remission!
We're ALL terminal in the end! Don't let the statistics scare you (even though I did!)... I was dx Stage IV NSCLC adenocarcinoma (inoperable) in Jan 2009. Underwent three rounds of chemo ( Carboplatin/Taxol /Avastin ) and then had a CT scan for assessment last week. I'm in remission already and I have to say that the chemo wasn't bad either -- so MUCH better than in the past. SO ... call it a miracle or call in modern-day progress, but whatever it is, I'm happy as a clam! I attribute it to not only my treatment, but also to BIG support in the form of prayers from lots of folks. STAY POSITIVE by all means because. no matter what, we all need to enjoy whatever days we DO have on this earth. We could be hit by a Mack truck tomorrow! BTW, I also highly recommend The Lung Cancer Alliance for great support and discussion. They are under the umbrella of the "Inspire" network. Check them out! Best of luck!

i can only hope that   goes as well for me