Support

I am in almost an identical querry. Husband diagnosed in Jan. with non small lung cancer and received radiation and also now beginning chemo. He also got confused a tad after radiation, but no tumors in head according to the scan. It lasted for about two weeks and now gone. No answers on why he got confused.....also had a bad rash that itched like crazy.....we were told it was the cancer.....and to me I suspect it was meds.....which also makes sense when your body is receiving so much bombardment of meds and radiation. No support groups here either......sure wish I could talk to someone who has been through this so I would know a little more on what to expect including hope. Thanks

Hi Monica,

My husband was diagnosed with small cell last fall. He was diagnosed with stage IIIA. We had several opionions, but everyone concurred the the orginal oncolgist treatment plan. He was not a candidate for a sectional, he was a big guy and he could not survive with 1 lung.

He began treatment in early November of last year, chemo (small dose) with radiation daily (except sat & sun) for six weeks. That took him till the first week in Jan of this year. He had some scans done and it was determined that he had had between a 50%-60% reduction in the tumor. The second part of treament started mid Feb and last week he completed last Chemo. This second time around the chemo treatments were full-strength and were given every 21 days. He has had, 6 chemo treatments, I believe he could have one more but his oncologist says they last one has very little if any impact.

He will go to have more scans done in the next week or two and we will find out the "next steps" in early May.

I took this diagnoises very hard, we have only been married a year this month. I had some really bad days in the very beginning to the Jan of this year. A friend recommend a support group for caregivers. I found one at our hospital and I go every week. I can't tell you how much helpful information and support I have received.

Both of us have a pretty strong faith, we have people all over the world praying for him. I wish you the best for both of you, please stay in touch if you can or if you have specific questions please ask them and I will try to answer them if I can. Please remember to take good care of you, because you can't take good care of him if your not in good shape.

Hi Monica - I was diagnosed in Oct 2003 with small cell lung cancer. I'm curious as to where your husband is going to have treatment. I have been going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa.

Hi JP N - I was diagnosed in Oct 2003 with lung cancer also. I'm curious as to where people are taking their treatments. I have gone to the cancer center from the beginning. Thanks.

Hi Evelyn,
We are also going to a cancer center...for treatments. The reason for your question to me is not clear though...thanks.

Hi Evelyn. My husband has had two radiation treatments and will have about 13-14. Then he will start his chemo. His chemo treatments will be in Morgantown, WV. It's about 1.25 hr away from our home. So far, he has handled radiation ok. My faith in God and in what he can do is VERY strong, and I'm sure he will take care of this and cast it from his body and give us many more years together. Keep the faith Evelyn. Monica

JP N after my husbands seizure. They started him on dilantin. He started turning a reddish color with a rash. They decided he was allergic to to dilantin and started him on another anti seizure medication. Question any change with a medication.

Thanks for your reply. My husband was not put on any seisure meds and the confusion was not severe and only lasted a few days and then cleared up as soon as they put him on a steroid. The rash went away. But interesting is the fact I have a friend who is on that same med (dilantin) and she has had severe rashes and really ill from that and I almost conclude they left her on the meds but I will ask her husband. She doesn't have cancer but does have small seizures that they cannot seem to locate the source for. It may be helpful for him to know that. What meds did they switch your husband to after that? Just curious, but it isn't critically important for me to know. THANKS!

I really am not sure what they gave him instead of dilantin. Through out the medication. If I find one the doctors forms Ill let you know

My dad was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma lung cancer in February 2004. He has never smoked and was diagnosed in extensive stage. He has had chemo and irradiation treatments. The lung reduction was 80 to 90% only to find it had spread to his liver. He began chemo last wednes 6/23/2004. It is believed to have derived from Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. Is there anyone who has gone through this or going through this experience? I want to know what to expect so that I can cope?