I am new to any boards and I need any help info from you. We found out my dad has stage 4 lung cancer. It has spread to his spine,neck and his bicep. He has had two treatments of chemo. He had pain in his neck. That is gone but he has major pain in his left bicep. It is so bad he can not move his arm. I am worried the chemo is not working. He went to NIH tday and they are going to move forward and do a biopsy. We hope he will be a canidate with the info that comes back. They also recomend him to go back to his dr to do another mri b/c of the pain in his bicep. I am worried that his cancer has spread and that this is further along than once thought. He is bummed the chemo is not working and they have him on so much pain medicine all he does is sleep. I am so worried and wanted to see if I can get any info from you. PLEASE HELP.

_________________
11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

2 treatments might be too soon to know if its working. sometimes the body takes a little longer to get used to that stuff. How long ago where the treatments? not familiar with bicep pain from Lung cancer but am familiar with shoulder pain almost like arthritis!

Would the recommendation of a cortizone shot help for the Bicep maybe? Just a thought for you! that is used for arthritis patients routinely for pain relief BTW!

What are the names of the treatments!?
When was last one done? Which Bicep is hurting him ?
do they know what type of Lung Cancer yet? They should if they are doing treatments!

Let us know so we can help you some more! Saying prayers for some relief and answers for you and dad!!

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

I agree with Randy that two infusions is too soon to assess if a chemo is working. It sounds to me that his quality of life is what is bumming him also and that might come significantly from the bicep pain and the pain meds making him sleep all the time. That fatigue is compounded by the chemo. There is at least one member onsite who is a survivor from NIH with a wonderful story/outcome. Maybe Kasey will pop in soon. I hope his drs will heed NIH recommendation to look at that bicep again. Also, sounds like some different pain management could be tried.

Do keep in touch and give us more info along the lines Randy suggested.

Judy in KW

_________________
Cytology report on fluid removed from lung after pleural effusion and pneumonia Sep 07 showed adenocarcinoma cells. Dx IIIb NSCLC Oct '07 at MDACC, Orlando. Fol 6 rounds Taxol/Carboplatin/Avastin and 2 Avastin, CT/PET 4/1/08 pleural thickening gone and no active cancer cells. 11/3/08 STILL NEVD. CT/PET/MRI 5/4/09 Cancer back, still in the pleura and chest wall, small amt of fluid, all in left lung.
5/11/09 Start on Alimta every three weeks.
7/13/10 Had Alimta on road in Corning NY.
8/24/09 Scans show some improvement. Continue on Alimta.
9/14/09 Chemo on road in Mt Holly NJ.
10/6/09 Started regular Alimta infusions in Key West.
11/3/09 CT and PET scans showed significant improvement. Some issues already resolved.
2/3/2010 No evidence of residual or recurrent disease. NED! Stay on Alimta.
5/6/10 Am considering myself still NED until/unless proven otherwise in July. Rabid radiologist thinks he sees something suggestive of similar to some abdominal cancer. No light up on the PET. Am hoping for the best. Stay on Alimta and scan in 9 wks instead of 3 mos.
7/8/10 Chest CT unchanged (NED Feb '10). Infiltration in the region of the omentum is probably slightly more prominent than before. Diverticulosis requiring antibiotics.
Jul, Aug, Sep, continued Alimta in Corning NY, Portsmouth OH and Mt Holly NJ.
10/14/10 Chest CT unchanged from Feb '10. Findings likely representing progressive nodular peritonal carcinomatosis in the midabdomen. Treatment changed to Tarceva started in Nov.
12/15/10 Chest CT unchanged. Abdomen changes compatible with peritoneal carcinomatosis again identified with mild progression noted.
3/16/11 CT chest unchanged. CT abdomen progression ascites (fluid). Progression of soft tissues nodularity on the peritoneal surface anteriorly with diffuse omental involvement.
4/13-15/11 Hospitalized at MDA. Removed 4 1/2 litres (8-9 lbs) of fluid from abdomen 4/14. Started on taxotere before release on 4/15.
5/16/11 Hospitalized for fever, neutropenic. Treated with intravenous antibiotic and antiviral. Given blood transfusion. Note that KW Cancer Center did not give me my Neulasta shot after my chemo on May 6. Onc had me cancel my 5/26 chemo until after my scan on Jun 6. Was discharged on oxygen. Test w/Dr Gerth 5/26 indicated I could go off sitting and sleeping O. Will do walking test 6/2.
6/2 Did not get requisite numbers on walking test. Left for Orlando 6/5 still on oxygen.
6/6/11 MRI normal; CT stable. Taxotere and Neulasta at MDA 6/7 and 6/8.
6/13/11 Appointment with Dr Olham in KW. Off oxygen week of 6/16.
8/8/11 CT scan showed stable with perhaps some lessening of fluid. Stay on Taxotere.
10/10/11 CT chest still clear, CT abdominal lining stable. Stay on taxotere.
12/19/11 CT chest clear, CT abdominal lining stable, MRI clear. Stay on taxotere.

I concur with Randy and Judy. If you could give us more information, we'll try to help. Two infusions is not enough to make a difference yet. They usually do four or five rounds of chemo before seeing a difference. Wishing the best outcome for you and your Dad.

Judy in MI

_________________
6/07 DX NSCLC, Left Upper Lobe wedge resection: Stage 2.3/4, (2B?) Adenocarcinoma, measures 2.5x1.5x1.1cm. Involving visceral pleura but not through it. 5 rounds chemo, carboplatin and Taxol. Subsequent scans NED.

1/11 3.5 mm node found. 10/11 CT node now 8 mm, and new 6 mm node. 11/11 CT Pet shows slight uptake. 1/4/12 Biopsy - Pneumothorax complication. 1/14/12 Lobectomy of upper rt. lobe. NSCLC Adenocarcinoma in situ, nonmucinous (bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) 1.4cm involves pulmonary parenchyma.
3/14/12 Begin 4 cycles of Cisplatin/Navelbein, with Neulasta shot
4/6/12 Chemo changed to Carboplatin/Navelbine without Neulasta shot. Reduced chemo by 50% due to intolerance.
7/5/12 CT scan is clean, NED for lung cancer! There are issues with liver and stomach that will be investigated but not believed to be because of cancer. Wait and see!

*Avatar was taken 7/3/12 on our way out to see the Fireworks on a friends boat on their lake!

Mom dx SCLC 1/96, passed 10/19/96, age 62
Dad dx Brain cancer 4/87, passed 6/87, age 57
Sister dx Brain cancer 4/83, passed 12/83, age 25

I'm not a doctor, but scanning after two (or three) rounds of chemo is quite common to see if it is effective. If it is not doing any good, they will usually try a different cocktail at that point.

You describe your Dad's diagnosis as Stage IV lung cancer - dear one, there is no Stage V. Once it has spread beyond one side of the lung, it is out there and you can hope that the cancer responds well to treatment and that they manage any pain well, but the time has passed to be terribly worried about how far it has spread. I am sorry. That does not mean that there are not treatment options - there are!

Hopefully, the NIH biopsy will show that he has an EGFR mutation, so that oral Tarceva is a likely candidate for therapy, or that he has an ALK translocation so that Xalkori is a different oral option. Both of these have excellent treatment value in the right patients. Tarceva is an option for 2nd line even if he does not have the mutation, though one would not expect as great a response to it.

Take care of yourself - it takes a lot of strength to be a good caregiver and he needs you now.

_________________
(photo: me in '61)
Female never smoked, 52 at diagnosis, otherwise healthy
09/08: false cardiac event = finding of 3 cm tumor upper right lobe plus two .5 cm nodes elsewhere on chest x-ray at ER
09/08: CTScan with IV contrast confirms.
10/08: Pulmonary referral for EBUS - bronchoscopy - confirms NSCLC - adenocarcinoma, with bronchoalveolar features
10/08: PetScan - further confirmation, classified T1N0MX (false negative) VATS scheduled.
11/08: full open surgery - revised to T4N2MX with positive spread to 2 lymph nodes, removed upper lobe with 3 cm tumor and partial mid lobe with (1) .5 cm tumor, 3 lymph nodes on trachea - 1 lymph node and margins negative.
5 night hospital stay.
12/08: Port-a-cath implanted
12/08: Brain MRI and hearing test - good other than minor high end loss in left ear
12/08: start (4) 21 day cycles of chemo - day 1 cisplatin and gemcitabine, day 8 gemcitabine alone, day 15 off - tolerated it pretty well - a little hair thinning and follicle inflammation, some ringing in ears and vertigo, much fatigue, and nausea. Kept my taste-buds almost intact.
02/27/09: completed 4 cycles of chemo!
03/03/09: removed port-a-cath
03/27/09: tattooed for radiation
03/30/09: start radiation (IMRT) 5x/wk for 6 weeks - fatigue, moderate esophagitis
5/08/09: completed treatment
6/22/09: NED
9/18/09: Recurrance in the liver and scattered in lungs. No symptoms. Rx Tarceva.
9/25/09: start Tarceva
11/20/09: clear lungs, shrinkage in liver.
2/24/10: still good on Tarceva
6/3/10: graduated to 6 month scan
12/9/10: new 6 cm tumor in liver
12/28/10: stop Tarceva
1/10/11: carbo/alimta/avastin
3/11/11: scan after 3 cycles 72%ish met reduction, stay the course
5/26/11: scan after 6 cycles, stable.
5/31/11: begin Avastin maintenance.
8/17/11: met growth, stop Avastin. Start Alimta.
10/25/11: met growth, stop Alimta. Wondering what to do next?
1/24/11: start hospice

Hi fraves, My cancer was stage 4 with 1 met in the spine. I can tell you that what happened to me was nerve damage caused by the invasion in the spine. I felt pain in places way far from the tumor. My tumor was on the right side at the apex. The ulnar nerve was there and it made alot of pain in my shoulder, tricep, elbow, and hand. When i was being misdiagnosed at first, the PCP tried a bunch of different stuff. He even sent me to an orthopedic dr. That dr. did give me cortisone in the shoulder. It felt great for about 3 hours. It kinda made me think i had rotater cuff damage. I'm all full of arthritis too so it's hard to tell. I get confused alot with my situation. So, anyhow, that was almost 3 years ago and I'm in remission and feeling pretty good and lucky too. There are some great survivors here with alot more mets than I had. I hope Janet shows up here with some insight for you. She had I think 4 spine mets??. I don't know if his bicep actually has a tumor in it or not. You didn't say. It may be just nerves going crazy like mine did. I will say that after a few weeks or so of combined radiation and chemo, the pain began to subside as the tumor shrunk. Pain management folks helped alot too with their pills and even a fentinol patch. Point is, there is so much reason for hope and encouragement. It's easy for a dr. to say a timeline based on statistics. We are all just as different as we can be and our cases are too. I hope you read back some stories of survival on this site. I hope you keep us up to date too. A positive attitude and the will to fight are the first weapons he'll need. He has you too.

Hi Fraves - I am so glad that you found this site - you will find, as you probably already noticed, that everyone here is very supportive!

It seems that the pain your father is in is the biggest issue right now. When I was first diagnosed, I had 3 mets in my spine and one in the pons area of my brain. These mets were affecting the nerves which caused terrible pain in my femur. The pain got so bad that I couldn't lift my leg, get up from a sitting position or sleep. I was put on steroids right away and started on radiation. Between those two - the pain went away and has not returned. Has your father been given steroids and/or radiation? If not, that might be a question for his doctors.

We are all interested to hear what happens with the biopsy. Treatment can be very individualized depending on what they find out. Gone are the days of treating everyone the same way.

If you would like, take a look at my story (in the My Story forum) Hopefully it will give you some encouragement. And, please keep us posted on what is happening and with any questions you may have.

peace - Janet B

_________________
Diagnosed at 47 years old - never smoked
3 amazing children, now 27, 25, and 24
Married 30 years

12/22/06 Diagnosed NSCLC Stage IV - Adnocarcinoma
Tumor in Rt Lung, 3 on Spine, one on the Pons of the brain
Radiation to the spine
Fractionated Linac Stereotactic Radiotherapy to the Pons of the brain

2/15/07 Start Tarceva 150 mg
4 1/2 years of "no progression of disease"

4/11/11 New mets on brain, Gamma Knife Radiation
Probable Leptomeningeal Disease.
Start "pulsing Tarceva" 1500mg 1xweek

7/11 - Brain mets swelling as an after effect of Gamma Knife, put on anti seizure meds, steroids.
New mets on spine and lung - watching.

9/11 - No new growth in Brain - more growth on spine and ribs. Back to Tarceva 100mg daily, adding Avastin every 3 weeks.

12/11 - Scans show no new growth, some mets stable, others have shrunk!

12/22/11 - 5 year survivor!!!!!

7/20/12 - scans show new growth in lungs and spine. Staying on Tarceva and Avastin and adding Alimta and Carboplatin.

10/12 Taken off Alimta and Carboplatin due to extreme side effects, continuing on Tarceva and Avastin - scans stable

Winter/13. Scans show growth again. Bones, lungs, lymph nodes, spleen. Time to look into clinical trials

4/13. Started clinical trial at Yale AP26113 by ARIAD, a "second generation Tarceva", side effects so far, diarrhea and nausea.

My story - http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=46162

WOW. Thanks so much for all the information. I am going to pass along thie info. I have some more info. Its hard to get it out of my dad b/c he is trying to hide it from my brother and I so I went to his girlfriend and she is helping a bunch.

I dont know what half of this stuff is but I am working on my own research.

Here is wha my dad's girlfriend sent me when I ask what he has.

Favor adenocarcinocma, includes squamous and adenosquamous cacrcinoma. Again he has it in his spine, lung, neck, shoulder, nodes, and arm. Stage 4.

He goes to NIH next week to do the biopsy and will have results in 2 weeks to find out if he has a gene that will help fight the cancer (DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS TREATMENT IS THIS THE MUTATION YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT). I guess this is the latest treatment. Even though it wont cure him it can add on 1-5 years per the dr. They are doing another MRI on his arm to find out what is going on with the pain. Also they are stopping the chemo only untill the biopsy is done then he will get back on it.

_________________
11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

ok a little good news here is that he actually has the most common type of Lung cancer! that means more researched and treatment options available!

this article is a pretty good read for an overview of info that you are looking for I think

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1689988-overview

Now we also Use a site called Cancergrace.org for our medical research. Dr jack West is our on call Oncologist specializing in Lung cancer and he is at the Swedish Institute in Seattle Washington! the Site is free to use and many of our fighters are also over there as well posting so you will recognize a lot of names!

here is his Link..

http://cancergrace.org/

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

Hi again,

I posted this earlier - this is the mutation analysis NIH will probably do when they have the material for a biopsy:

"Hopefully, the NIH biopsy will show that he has an EGFR mutation, so that oral Tarceva is a likely candidate for therapy, or that he has an ALK translocation so that Xalkori is a different oral option. Both of these have excellent treatment value in the right patients. Tarceva is an option for 2nd line even if he does not have the mutation, though one would not expect as great a response to it."

Those are the two miracle targeted therapies the FDA has approved for advanced lung cancer.

So I have been told that around 50% have this gene to be able to work for this mutation treatment. And if the treatment works it could add up to 1-5 years on a person's life. Does that mean my dad has a 50% chance of getting 1-5 years rather the 6 months the dr once said?

Thanks so much for sharing info with me. I have learned so much from all of you.

_________________
11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

See, thats the first rule around here!!! never listen when the doctor says you have this many months!! only god knows how long we have not the doctor!

Almost everyone on this forum ahs lived past their doctors diagnosis of how long. we recently lost a 15 year fighter here. So do not listen to that part.

The key is IF everything lines up. No guarantees or promises. lots of hope and prayers though.. LOTS of that !!

Right now due largely due to lack of funding and survivors eligible for clinical trials, Lung cancer is behind everyone else in research. Oncologists and scientists are racing to get Lung Cancer to a maintainable state then a curative state. They want to treat it like diabetes and other health issues like that. THEN they want to work on the cure for it!

so right now we fight for every single day to keep living to get to that point of where they go here is your daily pill to live with and then they start working on a cure for it!

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

Unfortunately, the % of people with the EGFR mutation is much smaller. Much. Last I read, 52% in never-smokers, 15% in past-smokers, and 6% in current smokers. But if he has the EGFR mutation, the likelihood of a good response is in the 65 - 75% range.
The % for ALK is even smaller - maybe 4%. But the response to Xalkori for this group is impressive.
(All my #'s come from studying/reading the blog posts on CancerGrace.org)

Most people with either of these are non-smokers (but some smokers have them too.) EGFR is more common in asian women who don't smoke, but I have met a few men with this as well, as well as many non-asian women. I think more men than women have the ALK translocation, but the poster child for the drug while it was in clinical trials is a woman. So nothing is set in stone. Many people progress on these drugs after a short while though we have some members here who have been on Tarceva for 5 and 6 years (about as long as it has been around.) Xalkori only got FDA approval this fall, so long term statistics for it are few, though in trial, I am aware of 4 years before progression (and they are doing trials with new drugs to combat that right now - ones that appear successful!)

I got 15 months on Tarceva and am a year beyond stopping that drug. Stage IV lung cancer can be treatable as a chronic illness. There are at least 3 recognized chemo treatments, and a handful of oldies but goodies that can be tried as well as clinical trials.

His performance status and how the cancer responds to treatment are far more important than any statistics or timelines anyone can quote. Maintaining weight (eat!) and activity are key. Some will say a positive attitude, but cranky people survive cancer too. The most positive attitude won't necessarily keep you alive, but it make the days go by in a more pleasant way for everyone.

Thanks to both of you. I am staying positve for my dad. I am not one of emotion but the last weeks have been full of them.

My dad was a smoker and I think even after all this sneaks a cig. It makes me so mad but I dont wont to upset him at all. He is in a lot of pain in his left bicep and can not move his arm and he has lost a lot of energy. We are hoping once the mri is complete that it will give them more info to get rid of the pain and he can do more. I hope for the best.

_________________
11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

Pain is priority number one in Cancer treatment! smoking cessation is number 2 BUT you can not tell dad what to do of course! You might mention that most treatments are more effective if He is not smoking though.. but all you can do is mention and let him make decision! they should be addressing energy levels with steroids possibly with treatments!

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

So my dad went and saw his onc today and I am so confused. When my dad went to NIH the drs there said the chemo is not working and to stop. Also they said to do a MRI because of the intese pain in his left arm. They said that should not be happening.

So he went to the onc and he said he does not agree w the NIH drs and that its too early to see if the chemo is working. Any suggestions. He had 1 cycle and starts the nexty cycle on Thurs.

Also my dad is having the severe pain in his arm and no pain medicine is working. He had a MRI but could not do the full test b/c of the pain. I have searched and searched on the internet about arm pain. Alot of people have it but there is no clear answer. I have found b/c of the lung, the cancer in the spine, bc of the chemo, bone met, etc. How can there not be a clear answer to this. I just want the pain to go away.

Matt

_________________
11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

I hope they are not discontinuing all treatments though.. just because one does not work doesn't mean none will!

I am not sure about the Arm pain though? Have you tried over at CancerGrace.org to ask Dr West about that one???

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

They are keeping him on chemo. Has another treatment tom. I went on cancergrace and asked this q. Thanks again.

_________________
11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

Have been following this thread and keeping your dad and you in my prayers. Keep posting and keep us updated. Hugs

Thanks Katie for the thoughts. My dad is doing good. He did a pet scan last Friday and they found that the mass is smaller. They did find that the T10 spine has increased. He is set up to do a 10 day spot radiation. His arm is feeling a little better. Good enough for him to drive again. I hope the radiation helps with the pain. If I could do it over again I would ask my dad to get a 2nd look at the pain. His Dr swore it was ortho related and it turns out it was not. If anyone is going through this please push your dr to look harder. My dad was told he had a pulled mucsel but it turns out the cancer spread to the bone in his shoulder.

Now I have the harder part to get him to stop fing smoking. It is driving my brother and I nuts. He quit smoking and all this is made him smoke again. I cant beiieve it. He tells us he is stressed and once things calm down he will stop. So frustrating.

_________________
11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

studies show that the chemo works better if you do not smoke! I know it is tough to quit doing but it literally could save his life and make all these treatments worthwhile but tell him do not put it off!! Quit now and his chances get better! not that they are not but... Hoping and praying for great news!!

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

Hi fraves,

This all sounds hopeful, and am glad they found the reason for the pain in the arm. i was going to suggest that it was the cancer spreading because a friend of mine has the same cancer as your Dad. His spread to his arm too. He had radiation therapy to the spot and it did help.

As for smoking? That's a tough one. My brother-in-law was a heavy smoker, and he never quit, even after getting the stage iV news. He smoked until he died. He battled the disease for a year.

Quitting smoking is so difficult. Many people believe that it relieves stress, which is probably why he started up again. Reality is that it increases blood pressure, and anxiety. But no one can tell him to quit. Arguing with him won't help (not saying you are). It's a personal decision and one he has to make. You can love him no matter what, and that is a good thing.

Judy in MI

_________________
6/07 DX NSCLC, Left Upper Lobe wedge resection: Stage 2.3/4, (2B?) Adenocarcinoma, measures 2.5x1.5x1.1cm. Involving visceral pleura but not through it. 5 rounds chemo, carboplatin and Taxol. Subsequent scans NED.

1/11 3.5 mm node found. 10/11 CT node now 8 mm, and new 6 mm node. 11/11 CT Pet shows slight uptake. 1/4/12 Biopsy - Pneumothorax complication. 1/14/12 Lobectomy of upper rt. lobe. NSCLC Adenocarcinoma in situ, nonmucinous (bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) 1.4cm involves pulmonary parenchyma.
3/14/12 Begin 4 cycles of Cisplatin/Navelbein, with Neulasta shot
4/6/12 Chemo changed to Carboplatin/Navelbine without Neulasta shot. Reduced chemo by 50% due to intolerance.
7/5/12 CT scan is clean, NED for lung cancer! There are issues with liver and stomach that will be investigated but not believed to be because of cancer. Wait and see!

*Avatar was taken 7/3/12 on our way out to see the Fireworks on a friends boat on their lake!

Mom dx SCLC 1/96, passed 10/19/96, age 62
Dad dx Brain cancer 4/87, passed 6/87, age 57
Sister dx Brain cancer 4/83, passed 12/83, age 25

Well things are not going as good as planned. My dad did do some spot radiation on his spine and the are where his left arm/bicep is killing him. That helped a little but he now is in alot of pain in his are and both nodes by his neck on are hurting again. The dr put him on a differnet chemo. I asked him to get a 2nd opininon but he told me no. I am going with him to ask some q's myslef to the dr tomorrow. I really want to find out why they have not been able to control the pain. He is in so much pain they have him pretty pilled up and all he does is sleep. When I call him he is out of it b/c of the pills. Can anyone help in some q's I should ask. I really would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Matt

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11-29-11 Dad dx w Stage 4 nscc
12-2-11 Pet scan right ul lobe 4.4x3.9 mass
12-11-11 Chemo w carboplatin and gemcitabine
12-15-11 Pain in neck gone but pain in left bicep
12-?-11 Second round of chemo
12-22-11 Major pain in left arm. Can not use arm
12-27-11 Accepted into NIH program
1-4-12 Biopsy set for NIH (2 weeks for results)
1-20-12 Pet scan mass smaller T10 increase (start radiation)
Pain still in the arm. Cx in the bone of shoulder.

find out what he is taking ?
What dosage?
How Often a day?
Side effects?
Alternatives?
Alternative therapies possible ?

PAIN MANAGEMENT IS PRIORITY NUMBER ONE!!!!!!!!

IS a pain management clinic or a therapy a possibility ?

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!