My father was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer 3 months ago. It had spread to the hip. Now it has spread to two lymph nodes and a small spot on spine. Those of you who have already been here, how long do you predict he has? He is already in pain and scheduled for more radiation. What do the next few months have in store for him? I would appreciate your being frank with me.

Thanks,
Kathy

what other treatments is he having or had Kathy? We really do not make predictions like that hear because most of our members have outlived their doctors prognosis of , You have this long to live!" The only person who knows how long any of us will live, is God and He won't tell us that answer!

_________________
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'm with Randy. No way to tell especially if he's still in treatment. I'm over four years with 3B Adenocarcinoma and am still in treatment but doing well. Living life pretty fully right now. Times I've been worse, times better. What is his treatment plan?

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.

Hi Kathy and welcome. I've only found this site a year ago too. I was dxd with stage IV lung cancer in June '09. After a long summer of chemo and radiation, I was told there would be no surgery. The damage to my spine made it too risky. I thought that my days were numbered. A little more specialized radiation and another chemo drug were used. It all worked great and I'm in remission aiming at 3 years and figure on alot more than that. I was never given an expiration date. ,I've only been given hope and that options abound. The fine folks here and other survivors I meet only give me more hope. Plus, never underestimate the power of prayer.--- a few pain meds can't hurt either when needed.
stay in the fight, Alan

Hi Kathy,
I just want to welcome you here,I am sorry to hear about your Dad.I am a three years survivor,much to the annoyance of my Doc and lung nurse since they only gave me two years LOL.I can give you an even better example,my buddy Robert Lowe,was given two months to live in 1993 after being dxd with SCLC then in 2007 Robert was dxd with NSCLC,had his treatments-still here today enjoying life to the full.
It is remarkable how many people I have come to know with lung cancer in all its many types and stages that are making wonderful progress with a determination to enjoy life.As the old saying goes I may have cancer,but cancer does'nt have me.
Please pass on my very best wishes to your Dad,maybe you can get him to join up with us here?.

_________________
Regards,
Eric Byrne

To read my story, please follow the link : http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?t=43268

As everybody in here has mentioned, only God knows the answer so the best thing you can do is hoping and enjoying life to the full! Don't let anyone predecide your father's duration of life. This is what I do at least... Enjoy every single day and minute. Seize the day and give this message to your father too...
I hope the best for your father!

_________________
Daughter of a 55 year old man dx with SCLC
7/10:dx LCSC limited. Tumor in right lung. Cannot be operated. Chemotherapy and radiation the only cure.
6 cicles of chemotherapy etoposide/cicplatin starting from 7/10
CT scan Chest showing constant shrinkage
8-9/10 :pleural infusion and pneumonia
Spent a long time at the hospital until he recovers and then chemotherapy again.
12/10: radiation to chest,Ct scans are encouraging
2/11 : epileptic crisis lead us to hospital again. Emergent radiotherapy to brain because CT scans showed small spots and swelling.Brain metastasis
8/11: Ct scan in brain showed shrinkage of the swelling and minimum spots. CT scan also showed small mass in adrenal. Doctor suggests pet scan and probably gamma knife.
9/11: Starting chemo with Hycamptin (Topotecan)
10/11: MRI in brain showed stable
2/12:surgery for removal of the left adrenal due to growth of the adrenal tumor. Everything went good!
4/12:started chemo with cav, due to new nodule in pancreas
5/12: scans showed minimal shrinkage. Stay on the same drugs and new scans at the end of treatments.
7/12:MRI in brain showed new small spots
8/12:radiotherapy (10 visits) in brain
9/12:ct-scans showed stable results! waiting for a brain MRI