My husband is a 34 yr old non-smoker diagnosed two weeks ago with SCLC. He is in the extensive stage because he has a malignant pleural effusion, an 8cm mass in the right hilar lung, a 6cm mass in the lower lobe of the right lung and several lymph nodes are involved. We started Cisplatinum and Etoposide this week.

We lost his mother last year to adenocarcinoma (also a non-smoker).

We are devestated. Our kids are 6 and 8 and we are scared. I guess I don't know the point of this post, I'm just looking for hope.

Hi Sarah,
My name is Nova and I was an every day visiter here a few years ago. You'll find the people here very helpful and kind.
I'm so sorry that your husband has been diagnosed with SCLC.
It's very scary in the beginning.
Thinking back, I'd say it's important that you have a doctor that is really willing to take the time to talk and explain everything to you. If you don't feel comfortable with him/her, don't be afraid to find another one.
I made the mistake of reading too much info on SCLC. It's good to be informed, but not to overwhelm yourself with too much, as every case is different, as are the side effects of the treatments, etc.
If there's anything at all I can help with, please let me know.
You're in my thoughts,
Nova

_________________
My Husband's battle with SCLC.....Picture is of Harry before diagnosis.....

January 07-Doctor ordered a Cat Scan due to cough and pain in ribs. Sent us to the Pulmonologist.
Late January- Biopsy taken. Results show SCLC, inoperable.
Sent to Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa.
End of January '07 -started first chemo treatment. Ended up in ER after about 5 days with dehydration.
Feb 23rd '07 - second round of chemo, ended up IN the hospital for 2 days with a bladder infection.
March-'07 Third round of chemo. Also started radiation twice a day, 5 days a week.
April 10th,'07
Harry is in the hospital with a very bad infection in his heart valve. On liquid diet now because radiation has burnt his esophagus.

May 11th, '07- new scan and MRI results were good. Cancer/tumor has shrunk about 60%. Head is still clear.
June 8th, '07
Harry started first infusion of Carboplatin.
June 15th, 07..... Harry is in the hospital again. Has an abscess on the wall of his intestines. He's lost 7 more pounds. Blood counts are terrible.
June 27th, 07
Harry remained in the hospital for 7 days, (once again).
He is now passing out when he stands. He's been put on a new medication to raise his BP a little, plus help him retain fluids. Hoping it works, because he's bruised and cut from falling.

July 26th, 07- New Cat Scan results show that the original tumor has grown, and there are also new areas involved near ribs and higher in the left lung.. Will start Taxol, to "control" growth.
August 07
MRI came out clean. Thank you, Lord.
Lung tumor has some shrinkage, but some new growth in different areas. Mixed bag of results.

2nd dose of Taxol given.
9-10-07
Cat scan results were fairly stable.
He will continue on the Taxol, another 4 rounds. Blood counts were good.
Nov. '07
Harry had his last dose of Taxol. He won't get the 6th dose, due to numbness and tingling in his feet.

New scan done on Jan. 7th, '08
Shows Mets to liver in several spots. New tumor in lung, and more fluid.
Started Cpt-11 once a week.
Doctor mentioned Hospice. It was declined. Harry went fishing the next day. :O)
March '08
Harry now has Mets in his liver, ribs,shoulder, arm and more nodes.
He's on strong pain medication. Mostly sits in his chair and sleeps. His fighting spirit still remains, and he chooses to continue treatment.
April 8th, 08
Radiation doctor states that there isn't much more they can do. Harry has been given a "6 months or less" prognosis .
Harry has chosen to have Hospice involved. Says he's "kind of tired of sitting in doctor's offices".
I'm not sure yet how I feel about it , but it's his choice.
June 7th, 08
Harry passed away at 1:05 am, a few hours after being taken to the Hospice Care Center .
I miss him SO much. My heart is broken.

every breath brings hope !! has there been a treatment plan of any sort yet?? once you start treatments the fear eases up a little bit. things start to happen and you will see some results of the treatments. it helps calm the mind. this site is great for the emotional side of fighting the disease and the personal support of what kind of effects does such and such a treatment cause and I how do I deal with certain side effects and things of that nature.

We do have a Lung cancer Oncologist who gives us medical support and info also.. His name is Dr Jack West at the swedish institute is Seattle Washington. Many members here are also on his site as well under the same screen names so you can get to know who is who here and there also. Here is the link to his site. He can answer the medical questions you might have about sclc and the treatments and what not.. click on the link to get his site to pop up for you and it is also free.

http://cancergrace.org/.

Like I said, we can give you the emotional and spiritual support you are looking for and he can give you the medical support. Dr. West is great about answering questions quickly, simply and thoroughly and his site is also Free!!

_________________
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 Sarah -

I have nonsmall cell, so I can't speak directly to the small cell diagnosis, but I did want to welcome you. Although none of us want to be here, there are many nice survivors here as well as caregivers.

Randy is correct, and once a treatment plan is in place most of us feel better. The diagnosis itself can be such a shock and it can take some time to just kind of absorb the information.

As Nova mentioned, it is really better to stay away from reading statistics. They have nothing to do with an individual. Many of the current statistics are also based on old information. There are many new treatment therapies and options out there, and as you can see from reading some of the members' information, lots of people surviving and enjoying a good quality of life.

Please keep us posted and feel free to come here whenever you want. There are many caregivers here as well who know exactly what you are going through.

Diane

_________________
3/98 Dx squamous cell NSCLC 2a at 50 yrs
4/98 Left lung removed, no chemo/rad
8/08 Persistent cough and shortness of breath, first appt. with pulmonary doc 11/4/08
11/08 X-ray and CT show tumor in right lung. PET scan confirms tumor, shows no apparent spread
12/08 CT/needle biopsy shows squamous cell NSCLC IIIB, doctors don't seem to agree if its a new cancer or recurrence - but onc believes it is a new one
12/08 Start concurrent radiation/chemo, Cisplatin/Etoposide
1/09 Chemo switched to Carbo/Taxol due to intolerance of Cisplatin
2/09 Radiation completed
3/09 Chemo completed
5/09 CT shows spot where tumor was likely/hopefully scar tissue
6/09 Begin Lucanix trial
9/09 CT scan - stable
12/07/09 CT scan - stable
3/1/10 CT scan - stable
6/1/10 CT scan - stable - begin 2nd year of trial
8/23/10 CT scan - stable
10/25/10 CT scan - stable
1/20/11 CT scan - stable
4/25/11 CT scan - stable - completed drug portion of trial, now follow-up with 3-mo scans
8/1/11 CT scan - stable
10/24/11 CT scan - stable. At my request, switching to 6 mo scans.
4/24/12 CT scan - stable.
10/30/12 CT scan - stable.
2/26/13 CT scan - stable

Avatar is with 10-mo-old grandson Ethan at Xmas

I was a caregiver for almost 3 years so I know what your going through.

_________________
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 am sorry that you have this in your life. My mother was diagnosed 3 months ago with ext. sclc. She s on her 4th round of chemo and so far the only side effects are hair loss and a little bit tired. She is starting radiation next week on some mets to her spine. I also agree that a good doctor can make a difference. We switched doctors after the first round of chemo because we did not feel he was doing everything he could. We are much happier now with the new doctor and I have seen my mother's spirits lift. This is a great website for support and advice. Everyone here is very helpful and they assure you that you are not alone. Hang in there and sending positive thoughts your way.

I'm just so angry. My mother in law died last year from adenocarcinoma and now my husband has small cell. My kids are little, 8 and 5. I just feel lost.

We started Chemo last week....1 day of cispatinum and 3 days of etoposide. He is tolerating it well so far. He is just exhausted and has thrush from the brochoscopy and steriods he is on. He still looks healthy. He's a big, tall, muscular man. I don't understand how this happens.

We are being treated at Indiana University Cancer center in Indianapolis and are heading to Northwestern in Chicago this week for a second opinion. We are talking about MD Anderson in Houston, but wonder if they will just tell us the same thing since it seems there isn't a lot of options with small cell.

You have every right to feel angry.
It's not fair, it's uncalled for, it's cruel....Even now I don't understand why it happens to so many 'good' people.
My son was 13 when his dad was diagnosed...your babies are even younger.
Please feel free to PM me if there's anything at all I can do.
You're in my thoughts.

_________________
My Husband's battle with SCLC.....Picture is of Harry before diagnosis.....

January 07-Doctor ordered a Cat Scan due to cough and pain in ribs. Sent us to the Pulmonologist.
Late January- Biopsy taken. Results show SCLC, inoperable.
Sent to Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa.
End of January '07 -started first chemo treatment. Ended up in ER after about 5 days with dehydration.
Feb 23rd '07 - second round of chemo, ended up IN the hospital for 2 days with a bladder infection.
March-'07 Third round of chemo. Also started radiation twice a day, 5 days a week.
April 10th,'07
Harry is in the hospital with a very bad infection in his heart valve. On liquid diet now because radiation has burnt his esophagus.

May 11th, '07- new scan and MRI results were good. Cancer/tumor has shrunk about 60%. Head is still clear.
June 8th, '07
Harry started first infusion of Carboplatin.
June 15th, 07..... Harry is in the hospital again. Has an abscess on the wall of his intestines. He's lost 7 more pounds. Blood counts are terrible.
June 27th, 07
Harry remained in the hospital for 7 days, (once again).
He is now passing out when he stands. He's been put on a new medication to raise his BP a little, plus help him retain fluids. Hoping it works, because he's bruised and cut from falling.

July 26th, 07- New Cat Scan results show that the original tumor has grown, and there are also new areas involved near ribs and higher in the left lung.. Will start Taxol, to "control" growth.
August 07
MRI came out clean. Thank you, Lord.
Lung tumor has some shrinkage, but some new growth in different areas. Mixed bag of results.

2nd dose of Taxol given.
9-10-07
Cat scan results were fairly stable.
He will continue on the Taxol, another 4 rounds. Blood counts were good.
Nov. '07
Harry had his last dose of Taxol. He won't get the 6th dose, due to numbness and tingling in his feet.

New scan done on Jan. 7th, '08
Shows Mets to liver in several spots. New tumor in lung, and more fluid.
Started Cpt-11 once a week.
Doctor mentioned Hospice. It was declined. Harry went fishing the next day. :O)
March '08
Harry now has Mets in his liver, ribs,shoulder, arm and more nodes.
He's on strong pain medication. Mostly sits in his chair and sleeps. His fighting spirit still remains, and he chooses to continue treatment.
April 8th, 08
Radiation doctor states that there isn't much more they can do. Harry has been given a "6 months or less" prognosis .
Harry has chosen to have Hospice involved. Says he's "kind of tired of sitting in doctor's offices".
I'm not sure yet how I feel about it , but it's his choice.
June 7th, 08
Harry passed away at 1:05 am, a few hours after being taken to the Hospice Care Center .
I miss him SO much. My heart is broken.

if your not happy seek the second opinion!! better safe than sorry!!

_________________
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!!

Anger is the correct word; I feel the same. We are now going to a dr. in New York so I would suggest the second opinion. Our new Dr. was just "up" on everything available for sclc: cisplatin, neulasta shot, radiation, pci (preventative brain raditaion) and he does the correct tests (bone scans, ct-scans, brain mri.) It is such a different world since diagnosis... tests every week, dr. appointments, highs and lows. There is hope out there for beating the odds so hang in there and be strong!

We are still hanging in there. He has had 3 rounds of cisplatin and etoposide. After 2 rounds, the tumors had a 75% reduction in size. We were thrilled with this result! He is maintaining his weight and is tolerating chemo extremely well. The only real side effect is baldness mixed with some slight tiredness about a week after chemo. We are hoping for NED after the next few treatments and are hoping for 6 rounds since he is tolerating it so well. After chemo, we will probably do prophylactic brain radiation and will consider chest radiation at the primary site.

It is amazing how this disease can change you. We no longer strive to be the best in our careers. We strive to be the best parents and spouses we can be. I appreciate every day and we celebrate each birthday with new resolve and vigor. This is the worst and the best thing to ever happen to us. Our faith has been restored and we trust in God more than we ever have.

[quote][/It is amazing how this disease can change you. We no longer strive to be the best in our careers. We strive to be the best parents and spouses we can be. I appreciate every day and we celebrate each birthday with new resolve and vigor. This is the worst and the best thing to ever happen to us. Our faith has been restored and we trust in God more than we ever have.


quote]

Sarah - It isn't mentioned too often, and people who don't have it would find it hard to believe, but there is an upside to cancer and you have obviously found it. It sounds as though your husband is doing really well with the treatments. I am so glad to hear how well he is doing. Please keep us posted.

Diane

_________________
3/98 Dx squamous cell NSCLC 2a at 50 yrs
4/98 Left lung removed, no chemo/rad
8/08 Persistent cough and shortness of breath, first appt. with pulmonary doc 11/4/08
11/08 X-ray and CT show tumor in right lung. PET scan confirms tumor, shows no apparent spread
12/08 CT/needle biopsy shows squamous cell NSCLC IIIB, doctors don't seem to agree if its a new cancer or recurrence - but onc believes it is a new one
12/08 Start concurrent radiation/chemo, Cisplatin/Etoposide
1/09 Chemo switched to Carbo/Taxol due to intolerance of Cisplatin
2/09 Radiation completed
3/09 Chemo completed
5/09 CT shows spot where tumor was likely/hopefully scar tissue
6/09 Begin Lucanix trial
9/09 CT scan - stable
12/07/09 CT scan - stable
3/1/10 CT scan - stable
6/1/10 CT scan - stable - begin 2nd year of trial
8/23/10 CT scan - stable
10/25/10 CT scan - stable
1/20/11 CT scan - stable
4/25/11 CT scan - stable - completed drug portion of trial, now follow-up with 3-mo scans
8/1/11 CT scan - stable
10/24/11 CT scan - stable. At my request, switching to 6 mo scans.
4/24/12 CT scan - stable.
10/30/12 CT scan - stable.
2/26/13 CT scan - stable

Avatar is with 10-mo-old grandson Ethan at Xmas