Small Cell lung cancer

I'm sorry to hear about your
I'm sorry to hear about your Grandmother. There are a few things I don't understand about her treatment. Why would they do brain radiation as a precaution if there are no mets there? And as far as the fluid, it certainly is a good thing to have that drained. Yes, sometimes it does return but they can continue the draining process. My husband had it done many times. Leaving the fluid there causes many problems, especially discomfort to the patient. And I don't understand why they suggested no chemo? Have you gotten a second opinion?

soccerfreaks said:

Michelle
Just a head's up: when things don't make sense to you, they probably don't make sense.

Take care of yourself.

Joe

Need for support and information
As I mentioned in my other posting, my friend has sclc. She already had tumors on her liver, gallbladder and lymphnodes when they diagnosed her. She took her first round of chemo and the tumors really did not shrink. She is currently on a different type of chemo but in June discovered brain tumors. These were treated with radiation and now we are waiting for a few weeks to do another PetScan and see what the status is. The doctor said that she likely has 2-3 months but could have four.

The doctor is not talking with her about what to expect in these months and has not shared that there are only a few months remaining as my friend does not want to ask those questions. She is still focused on beating this thing. As her primary care giver, I feel the need to know what will happen and what to plan around. So far, I have been doing everything but it is just too much to handle alone. She can no longer drive and she is frightened to be alone. She has a son that is willing to help but she has developed a strong dependence on me, likely from all the things she has been through and I was there.

I have searched for sites that would discuss the progression of the disease in the last stages but have really not found any helpful information. I am wondering if there is some one out there that I can talk to about what they have experienced. Any ideas. Thanks.

jensmom01 said:

hey
i'm going through it with my momma she has had lung cancer for 2 yrs. and the dr. told us there was not anything else they could do except to try and get her in emory hospital to have surgery but it's only an eight percent that we will not lose her. we've been through it with my grandpa all you can do is leave it up to god and let him do all the work and all we have to do is pray that we're not going to lose our loved ones. does anyone think that i may need some help because all i do is cry all the time or is it normal for a daughter to cry as much as i do.

I can relate
my mom has sclc too and i am crying a lot too. She had a needle biopsy that created a phenumo-thorax and kept her in the hospital for 7 days with a chest tube and extremely uncomfortable... she has been very uncomfortable and in need of constant oxygen since the procedure. She walked in the hospital feeling fine and has never been the same since.