Help! Need info on small cell lung cancer.

ousley
ousley Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
My mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. What can we expect as far as symptoms go? What kind of pain will she be experiencing?
Had one round of chemo, then had surgery for an unrelated illness...hasn't had chemo since April. Hopefully starting back.

Comments

  • LisaAnn33
    LisaAnn33 Member Posts: 8
    #2
    Not sure when your mom was diagnosed with SCLC, but my mom was diagnosed Sept '06. She went through six cycles of chemo, cistplatin and etoposide and had horrible side effects from it. She was unable to walk. She has since recovered from it and has regained her stength to walk, go places(but not drive) and do things around the house. She is tired a lot. She has started chemotherapy again with taxol and carboplatin, and the side effects are a lot less. She had a tumor in her left lung about 10 centimeters. The first six cycles of chemo shrunk her tumor to about 2.5 centimeters. It is growing again, up to 5 centimeters now, so the doctor put her on taxol and carboplatin. That is my story. I am sure everybody is different, and it depends on a person's age, physical health as far as how they fare with all of the treatment. My mom is 50, was in fairly good health before she got sick, not overweight. I hope your mom can get through this. Please share more of what you're going through.

    Lisa
  • ousley
    ousley Member Posts: 4
    #3
    LisaAnn33 said:

    Not sure when your mom was diagnosed with SCLC, but my mom was diagnosed Sept '06. She went through six cycles of chemo, cistplatin and etoposide and had horrible side effects from it. She was unable to walk. She has since recovered from it and has regained her stength to walk, go places(but not drive) and do things around the house. She is tired a lot. She has started chemotherapy again with taxol and carboplatin, and the side effects are a lot less. She had a tumor in her left lung about 10 centimeters. The first six cycles of chemo shrunk her tumor to about 2.5 centimeters. It is growing again, up to 5 centimeters now, so the doctor put her on taxol and carboplatin. That is my story. I am sure everybody is different, and it depends on a person's age, physical health as far as how they fare with all of the treatment. My mom is 50, was in fairly good health before she got sick, not overweight. I hope your mom can get through this. Please share more of what you're going through.

    Lisa

    Lisa, thanks for your encouragement. Mom did begin her chemo last week. Hasn't had very bad side effects as of today. Having trouble with dizziness, but that was already started before chemo. Cancer has spread. Radiation is not an option at this point so just doing the chemo. Mother is not in good health anyway. Heart bypass years ago and is taking blood thinners as well as a bunch of other meds. Had nose bleed last night that pretty much scared us all to death, but was able to get it stopped. Nurse said next time that we were to get her to ER immediately. Keep her in your prayers as I will your Mother.
  • Callmejanedoe
    Callmejanedoe Member Posts: 1
    #4
    My Mother was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with SCLC. She has had one round of chemo; three days of Cisplatin and Etoposide. She is now doing radiation daily and will do another three days in three weeks of chemo. Boy, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. She seems to have "chemo brain" terribly. We try to write everything down and that helps. She has not yet hit her "low" day. Can anyone share with me what they have experienced since you all have now been through it for a while??
  • hunter8
    hunter8 Member Posts: 1
    #5
    Callmejanedoe said:

    My Mother was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with SCLC. She has had one round of chemo; three days of Cisplatin and Etoposide. She is now doing radiation daily and will do another three days in three weeks of chemo. Boy, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. She seems to have "chemo brain" terribly. We try to write everything down and that helps. She has not yet hit her "low" day. Can anyone share with me what they have experienced since you all have now been through it for a while??

    I am going thru sclc I have had 4 sessions as they call it of chemo and several weeks of radiation. so far it is contained to my right lung started out at 8 cm down to 3.5 they want to wait to do anymore radiation, chemo till my next catscan in 2 mths. make sure your their for her, thats most important,
  • GrammyJones
    GrammyJones Member Posts: 7
    #6
    I was diagnosed with Stage IV Extensive Small Cell Cancer on 8/1/06, only 4 days before my 50th birthday, after several tests and biopsy. At that time, the cancer had spread to both my lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. My doctor believed it had spread way too far and my life expectancy was very limited... without chemo 1-3 mos. and with chemo maybe 6-9 mos. Surgery was not an option due to the cancer being so wide-spread. I had 2 cycles of chemo and then another ct scan. All my growths had shrunk more than 50%. Then, 2 more cycles of chemo. After another ct-scan, the results revealed only a spot on my liver. I went 4 months with no treatments before, once again, having a ct-scan, I learned the cancer was once again in my liver, one lung and lymph nodes. I once again began chemo, 2 cycles, and I'm now awaiting yet another ct-scan next week. I continue to stay positive, which is very most important, that these results will also be good. I can only wait patiently (yeah right!) for the results on 7/24. I will then probably need another 2 cycles of chemo but that's ok. Most importantly, I've beaten the 9 mon as I was originally medically told I'd live. I've only a few weeks from being at my 1st anniversary!!! My plans are to live years longer. As far as pain, I've had very little pain other than where the cancer has ate "holes" in my spine and legs but I continue to walk just as much as I'm able without any assistance. As of yet, I haven't needed any pain meds. I've learned just to lay down and rest and that seems to work wonders. I was lucky enough not to be sick from the chemo treatments since they now have excellent anti-nausea meds. I am much more fatigue during the last chemo cycles but doctors say that's normal due to my body not returning to normal between cycles. All in all, I feel the best I have in well over a year! I can only pray and keep my faith that I will conquer this illness. Staying strong and keeping your faith in our Almighty Lord is most important!!! I will keep your mother and you in my daily prayers.
  • ousley
    ousley Member Posts: 4
    #7
    GrammyJones said:

    I was diagnosed with Stage IV Extensive Small Cell Cancer on 8/1/06, only 4 days before my 50th birthday, after several tests and biopsy. At that time, the cancer had spread to both my lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. My doctor believed it had spread way too far and my life expectancy was very limited... without chemo 1-3 mos. and with chemo maybe 6-9 mos. Surgery was not an option due to the cancer being so wide-spread. I had 2 cycles of chemo and then another ct scan. All my growths had shrunk more than 50%. Then, 2 more cycles of chemo. After another ct-scan, the results revealed only a spot on my liver. I went 4 months with no treatments before, once again, having a ct-scan, I learned the cancer was once again in my liver, one lung and lymph nodes. I once again began chemo, 2 cycles, and I'm now awaiting yet another ct-scan next week. I continue to stay positive, which is very most important, that these results will also be good. I can only wait patiently (yeah right!) for the results on 7/24. I will then probably need another 2 cycles of chemo but that's ok. Most importantly, I've beaten the 9 mon as I was originally medically told I'd live. I've only a few weeks from being at my 1st anniversary!!! My plans are to live years longer. As far as pain, I've had very little pain other than where the cancer has ate "holes" in my spine and legs but I continue to walk just as much as I'm able without any assistance. As of yet, I haven't needed any pain meds. I've learned just to lay down and rest and that seems to work wonders. I was lucky enough not to be sick from the chemo treatments since they now have excellent anti-nausea meds. I am much more fatigue during the last chemo cycles but doctors say that's normal due to my body not returning to normal between cycles. All in all, I feel the best I have in well over a year! I can only pray and keep my faith that I will conquer this illness. Staying strong and keeping your faith in our Almighty Lord is most important!!! I will keep your mother and you in my daily prayers.

    Mother doing really good right now. Begins 3rd round of chemo tomorrow. She had pneumonia week before last and was in the hospital for several days...this was only 2 days after last chemo. They've really stepped up her chemo treatments. Had told us initially that once a month...not making anywhere near that between treatments. Will have additional tests in the next couple of weeks to see status of cancer. Mom has a terrific attitude. Says that she's talked to the Lord and that everything is fine between the two of them and it's in His hands. She's not worried about it. And yes, there is a lot of laughter in our family right now. Even though we're hurting, we do find the light side of things and it does greatly help. I'll be praying for you as I hope you will my Mother.
  • budders
    budders Member Posts: 7
    #8
    ousley said:

    Mother doing really good right now. Begins 3rd round of chemo tomorrow. She had pneumonia week before last and was in the hospital for several days...this was only 2 days after last chemo. They've really stepped up her chemo treatments. Had told us initially that once a month...not making anywhere near that between treatments. Will have additional tests in the next couple of weeks to see status of cancer. Mom has a terrific attitude. Says that she's talked to the Lord and that everything is fine between the two of them and it's in His hands. She's not worried about it. And yes, there is a lot of laughter in our family right now. Even though we're hurting, we do find the light side of things and it does greatly help. I'll be praying for you as I hope you will my Mother.

    I was diagnosed in May '06 with limited sclc. Scared the you know what out of me! My treatments include 6 three day session of Cistplatin and Etoposide (6 hours on day 1, 4 on day 2)and 36 "doses" of radiation (the last 8 were doubled up each day). I also had brain radiation as a prevention. My side effects were minimal but were consistent. Started treatments on Monday and by Friday I was pretty much wiped out. Stayed in bed and walked to the couch. My husband took care of the girls (age 8 & 6)and the house (and me). By Monday, I was back to taking the girls to school, doing the usual stuff of grocery, laundry, cleaning house, etc. I had medicine that kept me from being sick, gained weight because of steroids (and the fact that I eat too much) and my hair has finally started growing back in. I take neuroton for limited nerve damage in my hands and constipation is my biggest complaint - going to the gastro doctor next month. I had scans every 3 months. After I finished chemo and radiation, the radiologist were amazed that the mass had disappeared (said they never had seen that before) and each scan gets better. I do have the "chemo brain" but shoot, I'm 46 and maybe it's more the age/hormones than chemo! Everyone tells me my attitude is the biggest factor in my "doing so well" so I hope your mom can have that to get her through this. I told my girls - as long as we have "faith, hope, love and trust" we can get through anything. Give an update if you can on her progress/journey. Prayers are always there - I believed that prayers were so much a part of my recovery - I could feel the support - and that modern medicine played a small part in it too! I had a great medical team (still do) and support from everyone. So if your mom is tired of people telling her to hang in there, she can remember how strong God's hold is on her! Take it easy - Budders
  • ousley
    ousley Member Posts: 4
    #9
    budders said:

    I was diagnosed in May '06 with limited sclc. Scared the you know what out of me! My treatments include 6 three day session of Cistplatin and Etoposide (6 hours on day 1, 4 on day 2)and 36 "doses" of radiation (the last 8 were doubled up each day). I also had brain radiation as a prevention. My side effects were minimal but were consistent. Started treatments on Monday and by Friday I was pretty much wiped out. Stayed in bed and walked to the couch. My husband took care of the girls (age 8 & 6)and the house (and me). By Monday, I was back to taking the girls to school, doing the usual stuff of grocery, laundry, cleaning house, etc. I had medicine that kept me from being sick, gained weight because of steroids (and the fact that I eat too much) and my hair has finally started growing back in. I take neuroton for limited nerve damage in my hands and constipation is my biggest complaint - going to the gastro doctor next month. I had scans every 3 months. After I finished chemo and radiation, the radiologist were amazed that the mass had disappeared (said they never had seen that before) and each scan gets better. I do have the "chemo brain" but shoot, I'm 46 and maybe it's more the age/hormones than chemo! Everyone tells me my attitude is the biggest factor in my "doing so well" so I hope your mom can have that to get her through this. I told my girls - as long as we have "faith, hope, love and trust" we can get through anything. Give an update if you can on her progress/journey. Prayers are always there - I believed that prayers were so much a part of my recovery - I could feel the support - and that modern medicine played a small part in it too! I had a great medical team (still do) and support from everyone. So if your mom is tired of people telling her to hang in there, she can remember how strong God's hold is on her! Take it easy - Budders

    Mother doing really good. Has 6th round of chemo next week. She's got such a terrific attitude and is such a blessing to all of us. She's just had her 74th birthday and tells us that she's planning on going back to work. There have been so many that have been praying for her that I know in my heart that's why she's done so well. The only negative is that she's had another bout with pneumonia. Caught it as it was just starting so able to treat with meds. Thanks for all you're answers.
  • jbranagh
    jbranagh Member Posts: 1
    #10
    GrammyJones said:

    I was diagnosed with Stage IV Extensive Small Cell Cancer on 8/1/06, only 4 days before my 50th birthday, after several tests and biopsy. At that time, the cancer had spread to both my lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. My doctor believed it had spread way too far and my life expectancy was very limited... without chemo 1-3 mos. and with chemo maybe 6-9 mos. Surgery was not an option due to the cancer being so wide-spread. I had 2 cycles of chemo and then another ct scan. All my growths had shrunk more than 50%. Then, 2 more cycles of chemo. After another ct-scan, the results revealed only a spot on my liver. I went 4 months with no treatments before, once again, having a ct-scan, I learned the cancer was once again in my liver, one lung and lymph nodes. I once again began chemo, 2 cycles, and I'm now awaiting yet another ct-scan next week. I continue to stay positive, which is very most important, that these results will also be good. I can only wait patiently (yeah right!) for the results on 7/24. I will then probably need another 2 cycles of chemo but that's ok. Most importantly, I've beaten the 9 mon as I was originally medically told I'd live. I've only a few weeks from being at my 1st anniversary!!! My plans are to live years longer. As far as pain, I've had very little pain other than where the cancer has ate "holes" in my spine and legs but I continue to walk just as much as I'm able without any assistance. As of yet, I haven't needed any pain meds. I've learned just to lay down and rest and that seems to work wonders. I was lucky enough not to be sick from the chemo treatments since they now have excellent anti-nausea meds. I am much more fatigue during the last chemo cycles but doctors say that's normal due to my body not returning to normal between cycles. All in all, I feel the best I have in well over a year! I can only pray and keep my faith that I will conquer this illness. Staying strong and keeping your faith in our Almighty Lord is most important!!! I will keep your mother and you in my daily prayers.

    I am writing for my Uncle who went to the ER on Sunday (11/25/07) for stomach pains and was diagnosed within 5 hours with a grim prognosis. Over the next couple of days they gave him the prognosis "Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer which has mestacized and has 2 lesions on the brain". He is 52 years old, is in good health (other than cancer), and has a good spirit (worked up until his trip to ER). They told him that without treatment he would only live a couple of weeks, and with treatment a little bit longer. My whole family is a mess. He is on etopiside and cisplatin with 4-6 treatments in each cycle and they are doing radition on the brain. Tomorrow will be one week since his trip to the ER. We are desperate. Any information would be helpful. Please share your positive stories with me. Has anyone had luck with supplements or alternative medicine?
  • Momsbestfriend
    Momsbestfriend Member Posts: 9
    #11
    jbranagh said:

    I am writing for my Uncle who went to the ER on Sunday (11/25/07) for stomach pains and was diagnosed within 5 hours with a grim prognosis. Over the next couple of days they gave him the prognosis "Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer which has mestacized and has 2 lesions on the brain". He is 52 years old, is in good health (other than cancer), and has a good spirit (worked up until his trip to ER). They told him that without treatment he would only live a couple of weeks, and with treatment a little bit longer. My whole family is a mess. He is on etopiside and cisplatin with 4-6 treatments in each cycle and they are doing radition on the brain. Tomorrow will be one week since his trip to the ER. We are desperate. Any information would be helpful. Please share your positive stories with me. Has anyone had luck with supplements or alternative medicine?

    My Mom was diagnosed April 2007 with a brain lesion along with SCLC. Her radiation on the brain went well, and she was not in any pain. Also her chemo treatments were tolerated pretty good as well. My brothers and I did a ton of research teh day we found out that there was a "shadow" on her chest xray and we immmediately got her on Flax oil and Maitake D Fraction. Doctors said this regimen probably helped her stay strong thru all her treatments. She continues to take both pills and is doing well (besides the recurrence we found out about last week)
    Please let us know how your uncle is doing - my Mom is 65 years old and her hair has all grown back and is on the go go go (besides the bad cough she has had)
  • rstahl
    rstahl Member Posts: 1
    #12
    GrammyJones said:

    I was diagnosed with Stage IV Extensive Small Cell Cancer on 8/1/06, only 4 days before my 50th birthday, after several tests and biopsy. At that time, the cancer had spread to both my lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. My doctor believed it had spread way too far and my life expectancy was very limited... without chemo 1-3 mos. and with chemo maybe 6-9 mos. Surgery was not an option due to the cancer being so wide-spread. I had 2 cycles of chemo and then another ct scan. All my growths had shrunk more than 50%. Then, 2 more cycles of chemo. After another ct-scan, the results revealed only a spot on my liver. I went 4 months with no treatments before, once again, having a ct-scan, I learned the cancer was once again in my liver, one lung and lymph nodes. I once again began chemo, 2 cycles, and I'm now awaiting yet another ct-scan next week. I continue to stay positive, which is very most important, that these results will also be good. I can only wait patiently (yeah right!) for the results on 7/24. I will then probably need another 2 cycles of chemo but that's ok. Most importantly, I've beaten the 9 mon as I was originally medically told I'd live. I've only a few weeks from being at my 1st anniversary!!! My plans are to live years longer. As far as pain, I've had very little pain other than where the cancer has ate "holes" in my spine and legs but I continue to walk just as much as I'm able without any assistance. As of yet, I haven't needed any pain meds. I've learned just to lay down and rest and that seems to work wonders. I was lucky enough not to be sick from the chemo treatments since they now have excellent anti-nausea meds. I am much more fatigue during the last chemo cycles but doctors say that's normal due to my body not returning to normal between cycles. All in all, I feel the best I have in well over a year! I can only pray and keep my faith that I will conquer this illness. Staying strong and keeping your faith in our Almighty Lord is most important!!! I will keep your mother and you in my daily prayers.

    How are you doing? My husband has been diagnosed with small cell in his lung and liver. He can not take cesplatin because it has caused hearing damage so they switched him to carboplatin. He has only had two treatments so far. He was diagnosed in Feb 08. Hoping you are having success.

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