Silvia, my friend's dear mother, was diagnosed with NSCLC with mets to the brain about a month ago. She underwent the gamma knife procedure, had a mediastenoscopy which showed no lymph node involvement. She was scheduled for radiation/chemo, and surgery for early Sept. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Silvia passed away at home on Aug. 15, 2004.

I introduced Silvia to this community, and she read, but never had a chance to post. She was inspired by the stories here, and the books I had passed along to her. She had fighting spirit.

Please pray for peace and comfort for her daughter Tracy, son Jamie, grandson Michael, and other family members.

Another courageous cancer warrior is in peace. (Perhaps having coffee with my Mom!!)

Faylene

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Mom dx with NSCLC IIIa 24/08/02
6 weeks radiation and 5 weekly tx of carboplatin/taxol
Re-staged 04/03 to stage IV with peritoneal mets
Has radiation pneumonitis
Tried gemzar/cisplatin
Passed away peacefully May 14, 2003

Avatar photo: My Wonderful Mom

So sorry to hear of the passing of your friend's mother. I'm glad she was able to read some posts from our wonderful group. I will remember her family in my prayers.

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Wife of Dennis King, diagnosed with extensive SCLC 02-02. Treated with CPT-11 & Cisplatin as first round of treatment; Topetecan second round. Lost his brave battle with cancer 12-15-02. Dennis is lovingly missed by his family and friends each and every day!

"Each time we embrace a memory, we meet once again with those we love ~
for the heart never forgets."

Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin, I feel you come back again....and I believe.

Prayers said. Thanks for letting us know, Fay.

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72-yr old, married 47 yrs. Wife Lucie diag. 10/02 NSCLC (adeno carcinoma) w. multiple bone mets (skull, rib, upper spine, left hip and right fibula); non-smoker.

Radiation: 10-12/02 (spine, fibula); 03-04/03 (hip); 06/03 (sacrum); 07/04 (rib); 12/04 (skull); 04-05/05 (right fibula - recurrence).

Chemo: (Carboplatin/Taxotere), 02-05/03 - effective in reducing tumors; 07-12/04 (Navelbine) to treat recurrence in other lung, lymph nodes, rib - effective in reducing tumors; 08-12/05 (Navelbine/Gemzar) to treat recurrence in hip sacrum, spine, rib, shoulder, and liver - held everything stable; Alimta 2-4/06 - no effect; Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin,5-9/06 - effective in reducing tumors.
Zometa monthly for bone strength.

Staph infection, systemic, 12/02 - second port-a-cath installed. Bilateral pneumonia, 08/03. Septic staff infection, congestive heart failure, 09/06 - deceased

I am 11-yr. prostate cancer survivor, Stage II (two bouts). Also 9 yr. heart bypass surgery survivor.

Avatar Pic: Don & Lucie, 02/06

Oh, Fay, I am so sorry. Please express my sympathy to your friend for the great loss of her dear mother.

Love,
Peggy

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--8/2003: 55 yr old husb of 37 yrs dx 8/03 w/7cm tumor, left lung, w/8 brain mets, Stage IV NSCLC. Nonsmoker for 30 yrs
--8/03 WBR (whole brain radiation) - 14 treatments
--9/03 Lung rad - 24 treatments
--9/03 Taxotere/Carbo, wkly
--Severe reaction to Taxotere 3rd wk
--11/03 Novalis (stereotactic rad to rem 6 brain tumors)
--12/03-2/04 Gemzar/Navelbine
--3/04 Lung: some shrinkage, Brain: 4 mets remain, largest 1.5 cm
--4/04 Severe shoulder pain-14 radiation treatments
--6/04 Progression of disease, 4 brain mets stable, more spread to bones, liver (small) and pericardium. Iressa & Zometa started.
--7/04 Slight inc pericardial effusion, slight shrinkage liver met, pleural effusion.
--9/04 PET and CT Scans all stable
--12/13/04 radiation fibrosis & extensive bony lesions. Brain MRI-4 mets remain - stable.
--3/05 Small growth in 2 brain tumors, pericardial effusion now "large". Significant progression to bones. Switching to Tarceva.
--5/27/05 Tarceva not working. Two new 2 cm. liver mets, extensive progression in bones. Pericardial effusion stable.
--6/1/05 Increased pain in hip
--6/10/05 Start Alimta, once every 3 weeks
--6/9/05 Start radiation to left hip 14 treatments; it worked!
--6/16/05 Brain mets nearly doubled in size, significant edema/swelling
--6/21/05 began 8 mg. Decadron daily for brain edema/swelling
--7/11/05 Novalis (SRS) to 5 brain mets (largest 4.0 cm.)
--7/22/05 3rd Alimta infusion – started SOB after 2nd infusion
--8/1/05 hospitalized for tests for severe SOB and focal seizures
--8/3/05 CT says severe alveolitis (destruction of lung cells) -VATS procedure done to biopsy to figure out what is causing. Both lungs are cancer free, but they say only three things could be causing the alveolitis: infection, cancer or chemo
--8/4/05 Doesn’t look good. Alveola cells are rapidly dying
--8/5/05 Biopsy says chemo. (8/8/05 – 2nd opinion biopsy result confirm chemo caused the alveolitis)

8/5/2005 The love of my life is living with the Lord and soaring on his motorcyle with the cool winds of heaven in his face

And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
The Message translation: That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28
He said ALL things, not SOME things.

Fay,
Thanks for letting us know - sending prayers to her family.
Jane

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JaneC
44 yo when diagnosed
Dx'd 11/03 Stage 3B adenocarcinoma in the left lung with pleural effusion - inoperable
12/1/03 started chemo with clinical trial of carbo/taxol/bevacizumab
2/25/2004 CT shows tumor shrinkage
3/17/04 finished Taxol and carbo (6 cycles); continuing with bevacizumab (Avastin) every 3 weeks
6/14/04 CT shows shrinkage of pleural effusions and nodule; continuing with Avastin
8/16/04 CT shows stable disease; continuing with Avastin
1/6/05 Progression with increased pleural effusion
1/21/05 Started on Taxotere
5/28/05 Completed 6 cycles of Taxotere - last scan showed slight progression
Started on Tarceva
8/8/05 CT shows all the "bad stuff" has shrunk

I am so sorry.

Fay,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend's mother. I hate to hear about anyone not making it with this horrible disease. I wish her peace.
Nina

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[size=75]I am 59 years old. Was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the left upper lung in Feb 2003. Have had surgery, chemo (carboplatin and vp16) and radiation therapy on the mediastinum. My first set of scans was done Oct 2003 and were clear. My latest screening was a chest film in Jan 2004...so far I am clear. I have a husband, Chuck, who has been wonderful and two children...each of them has a 4 year old boy.
April 19,2004, clean CT of the chest!
July 16th, 2004 clean MRI of the brain and clean chest xray.
Oct 22, 2004..clean CT/PET...yea!
Feb1, 2005 Clear chest x-ray and MRI of the thorasic and lumbar spine. Well, clear x-ray and almost clear MRI. The actual report sees a blip on the T7 vertebral space. If pain increases we will rescan early, otherwise wait til May, 2005
June 1, 2005..had CT/PET scan and all is still clear. Next scans are scheduled for December.CT/PET combo done on Dec 5, 2005. Still NERD. The word infinitesimal was used to describe my chances of reoccurrence. YEA!
6/14/06 Oncologist released me. Said to have my PCP continue annual checks and x-rays. Its been almost 3 years since any treatment. Yea!
8/7/06 3 1/2 years since any treatment.
12/06-Chest xray reads NED...released from my radiation oncologist. I am suppose to make sure my PCP follows me carefully.
2/8/07 MRI Brain...NED [/size]7/23/07 PET/CT NED
3/18/08 MRI Brain...NED
11/12/11 I am now 67 years old and still NED.

I am so sorry Fay!
Blessings
Betty

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DX ext. stage sclc w mets to lymph, liver and 1 rib 10/23/03
started Carboplantin/Vepisid 16 on 11/11/03
finished round 6 Carbo/VP-16 on 03/04/04
scans March 15,04, lung tumor gone, liver clear, minor lymph node involvment, no mention of rib
July 16th scans, still all clear and in remission
August 13, new tumor on spine, start radiation on August 16th 11 rounds
Sept 9, Clean Brain MRI and Abd. Cat Scan
Dec 15, latest scan reveals enlarged lymph nodes plus new lesions in both lungs and on liver, back to the battle! Also in shoulder, ribs and spine
Dec 28 started Cisplantin, VP-16 probably 6 rounds again.

Every dawn is a victory.

prayers will be there.
J.C.

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Husband *Mike*
dx'd nsclc Stage IIIA, inoperable, May 21st 2002
On October 13th 2003, he died at home as he
wanted, very peacefully during his sleep.
I miss you so much Mike.
Jackie

I hope she gained comfort from reading the posts here. And I'm certain Silvia is having coffee with your Mom in heaven! Peace, Teresa

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My Dad died of NSCLC in 1998. (Miss you, Pop.) Pic taken from my kitchen window at sunrise. I'm a clinical nurse specialist, researcher and educator. I practice nursing in medical intensive care. Symptoms and illness perception in lung cancer are my areas of research. Finished my PhD in nursing in 2004; some of the wonderful people on this site helped me - thanks!