My Mom (68 yrs) was diagnosed on Aug, 24, 2002 with NSCLC stage IIIA after bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy. She started on Chemo (carboplatin and Taxol), once a week for six weeks, and concurrent radiation therapy five days a week for six weeks. Treatment ended Dec, 6, 2002. She had her repeat scans last week, and on Wed. we go for the reports. We are hoping to be one of the success stories that we love to read about on the board. Please send your prayers for positive news.

Fay, I will say a special prayer that you get a good report about your mom. Let us know what happens. Good luck. Take care, Deb

_________________
knowledge is power!!!

"Statistics describe a group, not the individual."

Dad has advanced NSCLC: diagnosed 1/02
brain mets treated with Gamma knife in 1/03. Started Iressa 1/03. It worked for a while.
Stopped Iressa 6/03, mets to liver; fluid drained from lungs in 7/03-talc procedure
started navabaline (1x a week) on 7/11/03
bone mets-switched to Gemzar 8/29/03 (2wks on/1off)
Radiation to bone met on shoulder blade (10 rounds in total)

December 23, 2003
Daddy left this Earth-and I will never forget how lucky I was to have him for a father. "Thank you, Daddy, I love you and will always miss you, but you will live always- in my heart and memory."


"What a grand world this would be
if we could forget our troubles
as easily as we forget our blessings..."


The secret of health for both mind and body
is not to mourn for the past,
worry about the future,
or anticipate troubles,
but to LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
WISELY AND ERNESTLY.---Buddha

Picture is of Daddy and me on the way to the church on 10/20/96.

Hi Fay,

I'm 32 years old and I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma Stage 4. I have been undergoing the exact same treament as your mom. My prayers are with you and your family....Please say one for me on Thursday as I have to go in for my first round of testing to see if we're making progress.

Smile and keep positive.....

Cel -

I will mentally be holding your hand on Thursday and of course praying for good news from your tests!

I don't like this category "Late Stage" being seperate from the rest of NSCLC - there is ALWAYS hope - no matter WHAT stage you are at!

"Hope is the voice that God uses to speak to our hearts instead of our heads"

Take Care,

SandyS

_________________
11/1/02 - Diagnosed Small cell
2/27/03 - Finished 6 weeks of daily radiation
3/15/03 - Finished 6 rounds of chemo
06/03 - CT showed No Evidence of Disease!
09/03 - CT showed No Evidence of Disease!
01/04 - CT showed No Evidence of Disease!
01/04 - Mammogram - mass found
01/04 - Breast Ultrasound - mass unidentifiable
01/28/04 - Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
01/30/04 - Breast Biopsy Benign!
04/05/04 - Physical/all looked good. One small skin issue they want to look into...
06/04/04 - CT - Lungs look great!
06/15/04 - CT of Adrenal Gland
06/18/04 - Biopsy of Adrenal Gland Tuesday 6/29....
07/07/04 - Biopsy NEGATIVE - still NED!
11/29/04 - CT shows some growth in nodules in lung - waiting for PET...
12/21/04 - PET negative except minor activity on the adrenal, which we've already biopsied...
4/25/05 - Adrenal gland mass grew some more - surgery to come soon...
6/22/05 - Surgery scheduled to remove left adrenal gland
6/25/05 - It's benign! Yahoo!
5/26/07 - STILL CLEAN - 5 years this November!

Unfortunatly, I just found out from a Bone Scan that I have a hot spot on my left forearm and they are going to radiate the area - they say it will get rid of the problem as well as the pain. Anyone have any experience with this? After 6 rounds of Taxol and Carbo, it was disheartening to get this news but I kind of knew that something was not right with my arm - like, I could not use it

I really need some positive vibs and would welcome some input. After Chemo, this could be a "walk in the park" but I wanted to ask to see what you all had to say.

Thanks and bless you all!

Barbara

Barbara,

Radiation went well for my mom. It wasn't painful. Sometimes it tired her out a bit, nothing an afternoon nap wouldn't help though. She did have radiation esophagitis though, a side effect of the site they were radiating. And her skin looked a little burned at the site, but they gave her a cream to help the healing. She toughed it out though. Not sure what you can expect for radiation of the arm, hopefully someone out there has been through it and can answer. Good luck.

My mom, age 61, was diagnosed with lung cancer stage 3a in NOvember. She will be starting chemop and radiation in ealry February. Surgery is not an option for her her lungs are not in good shape, and the dr said it is too risky because she might not make it off the respirator. For the chemo and radiation she will be given, Etopside and Platinal. I am looking for any information on these two drugs as well as info on stage 3a lung cancer. Thank you for your help with this, for my family and I are very new to this! Thanks again!

Thanks for all of you getting this category started. My wife of 43 years was diagnosed with NSCLC, adenocarcinoma, Stage IV, in Oct. 2002. There is only a trace of the cancer in the top of her left lung, right lung is clear. But she has five bone mets: spine, rib, right tibia, left hip and skull. She has had radiation treatment for the spine, rib and tibia. And she has had two treatments, three weeks apart, of chemo (carboplatin and taxotere). The first went fine but the second one really put her down. She was in the hospital three times in December for infections. We went to the oncologist today and he said it would be at least two weeks before she would be healthy enough to start the chemo again, and he may use a different combination. Right now, we are trying to get her strength and good feeling back. Doctor said this kind of cancer usually gives a prognosis of 9 months, but that about 10% get to five years. We plan to be in the 10%. I am trying to keep her spirits up as well as take care of me. I'm glad I have understanding company here. Don

_________________
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

That is good news about your wife and I am sending positive thoughts your way for recovery, remission, and that 10% ! Me TOO! I want my dad to be in that % and I believe our attitudes and support systems are key to fighting cancer, but you know that yourself now don't you? You are an inspiration to us as a survivor yourself and my prayers will include you and your family. We are all here for you

_________________
- Katie Brown, Co-Founder and Director of LCSC-

15 yr cancer survivor.

"Any of us who have experienced the cancer journey- and survived it-
have an obligation to make the path clearer and aid those that come after us."
- Lance Armstrong

In memory of Jessee Dewey, SCLC
December 29, 1938 - September 6, 2003
Lisa Dewey- Jan. 22, 2007
my parents are together in heaven


facebook www.facebook.com/lungevity

Don,

My first doctor told me 8 months to 2 years. Know what I did? I fired him and went and found someone who would give me hope. My next doctor told me he had no idea how long I'm going to live. He did tell me that he knows what he can do for me for treatment and as long as I do my part, he and I would know each other for a long time.

I'm 33 years old....I wasn't expecting this curve ball to be thrown at me. Am I scared? Yes. Am I a fighter? I have been all my life. Will I win? I do each day I wake up.

My feelings and prayers are with you and your wife and to everyone else who has to carry this burden.......but, there's strength in numbers. I truly feel there will be a cure someday, we just have to keep waking up everyday!!!!!

Cel

Hi Cel,

Boy, how good to hear from you on the board! I have tried calling you but have been unable to reach you, yet I understand why!! (grin)

I am SOOOO happy you found a positive, aggresive Onc Dr. God know's doom and gloom is NOT what we need when we are fighting to LIVE!! GOOD FOR YOU!!! You go GUY!!

Please know you WILL be in my thoughts and prayers as you go to the Doctor tomorrow. I am sending you good wishes and hoping you hear good news. Please keep us posted on your checkup.

Warm and Gentle Hugs,

_________________
Warm and Gentle Hugs,
Connie B
Date Dx.d, 7/21/1995, Age 43, Adenocarcinoma, Stage IIIB, had 3.4cm tumor and three cancerous lymph nodes.
7/25/1995 had Left Lung Removed along with several lymph nodes.
9/9/95 Started Chemo (VP-16/Cisplatin), & Radiation (36 treatments). Cancer Free.
8/11/2003 CT Scan found 4mm Nodule Right Upper Lung. Did PET scan & Nodule Lite up. Also found a Tumor in my Left Atrium (Heart)
8/21/03 Open Heart Sugery for Myxoma Tumor in Left Atrium. During heart surgery (3) surgeons checked 4mm nodule & agreed it did not appear to be cancerous.
11/2004-CT & PET scan, nodule still there 6mm will watch.
4/2005-CT, Nodule still there and has grown to 8mm will do another CT in 9/2005. Waiting & watching nodule.
9/2005 CT Nodule has shrunk to 5mm. Doctor's feel nodule could be scar tissue.
2/2006 Having Shortness of Breath problems.
4/2006 CT, nodule 5mm No Change.
11/2006 CT scan no change in Nodule.
4/26/07 Results of CT scan shows I have another Noudule. Now have two nodules, one is 6-7mm & the new one is about 3mm.
9/2007 CT shows 3 nodules all mm in size. First 2 have no change in them. New one is very small. Repeat CT in 6 months.
12/11/07 Still NED
5/7/08 CT (right lung) (nodules watch) two new nodules I now have 5 nodules. Will watch via CT scans.
10/08 CT Scan showed 1 nodule 6mm has grown to 1.2cm.
5/22/09 CT Scan (awaiting results)
7/4/09 PET Scan (3 nodules in left lung are now 1.4c.m in sizes.
8/13/09 Did Bronhcoscopy
8/18/09 NOT Cancer, no cancer found.
Next PET Scan Oct 2009.

READ MY STORY @ http://www.lungevity.org/l_community/vi ... hp?t=13224

Lost my Father age 56(1970), Mother age 66 (1987), and Sister age 43 (1988) all to Lung Cancer
AVATAR is in Iowa @ the Presidential Cancer Forum

111a changed to 3b after repeat ct scan showed tumor had grown after 2 rounds of carbo/taxol. 51 yr old nurse, never felt sick a day in my life. have just finished 16 mega doses rad[equal to 25]now to wait 6 wks for rpt ct scan. oncologist to see me feb 7 to discuss further chemo. no side effects from trt,, very lucky all my dr say i look so healthy, i really don't feel sick except for the occ tired day. husband has very hard time coping with all this val wood

Hi Cel,
It's great to hear that you are doing well. I loved your comment about being a winner each day that you wake up and that we all just have to continue waking up each day until solutions are found for us.
Would you mind sending me the name of your doctor and where you are being treated? I presume it is somewhere in Seattle. I live in Yakima and have been trying to find a doctor who specializes in lung cancer treatment. I'm going to a general oncologist and like her a lot, but second opinions are sometimes in order. My e-mail address is littleboats@charter.net. Thanks for any help and take care.

_________________
"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." Lance Armstrong

"Every moment is a breath-taking, transitory experience, never to be repeated again." - Don Juan Matus

Tiny
Age 58 at dx; lifelong non-smoker
12/01 dx NSCLC bronchoalveolar-type adenocarcinoma (BAC), Stage IIA
2/02 Lobectomy RLL; no chemo or rad
6/03 MRI = "empty"
3/05 Bone Scan = negative
2/08 CT = "No Evidence for Metastases or Recurrence"
Enjoyed 6+ years of NED
1/09 CT/PET:Recurrent disease: multiple new nodules in both lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes, and spot on liver.
2/3/09 Bone Scan: Degenerative arthritis (hooray!)
2/4/09 Started Tarceva
~~ picture: Temple of Poseidon, Greece 4/08 ~~