Looking For Hope

Husband dx w/small cell and/or combination w/adenocarcinoma, mets to spine, hip, spot on liver, masses on both lungs.  Tx is chemo, possible rx to brain for preventative spread.  1st round of chemo, kidney function took a dive downwards, cough improved, constipation a real issue from codeine, calcium and IV treatment to bones.  Started second round of chemo yesterday.  We are trying to prepare for any new side effects.  The chemo changed to carboplatin for ease on kidneys.  After 3 rounds, then evaluation for the treatment effect on disease spread or improvement.  I didn't see many messages posted on small cell lung Cancer.  Can anyone comment on their treatment and outcomes.  Thanks.

I was diagnosed with SCLC in February, mets to spine, both hips, r. femur, and many lesions on liver.  I received 6 rounds of chemo, carboplatin and etoposide; after CT last week was told cancers had decreased 50%.  I was also told last week that radiation might take place in the future. We were very happy but told chemo could quit working and they would look to something else.  I just read the article posted on lung cancer news that the high dose chemo I was getting did not have better results then those treated with standard doses.  It is ineffective and highly toxic and they will abandom this strategy.  They feel this has dampened the enthusiasm of funding.  Sad news for those of us with  SCLC. I don't know if it is acceptable to give e-mail addresses on this site but it might be supportive to e-mail one another.

God Bless you and your husband and remain strong through this fight. LL

To both of you - Keep up the fight and remain positive that you can beat this or help your loved one beat this!  Try not to be discouraged - everyone is unique in their response to treatments and there are success stories out there!! (http://www.thelungcancerfoundation.org ) You need to be proactive in the care provided you and accept nothing less than the best treatment for your particular situation. You are not just a number or a statistic -  If somethings not working, make them change it until it does.  Only you can tell them what is making you feel better...don't be afraid to ask, because you can help them to help you or your loved one.

I'll admit that I am disappointed by the limited number of messages and support in the "Small Cell" lung cancer forum. I'm not sure why that is unless....it is still the "smoker" stigma plagueing this type of disease.  It's sad and unfortunate that there are not many postings or support to this end. 

My Mom's radiologist was such a blessing and kept reminding us that my Mom wasn't dying everyday, but rather LIVING every day.  She always treated us with the utmost respect, optimism and continued to offer realistic hope!  She was the only one out of many doctors we encountered that actually treated us this way.  My Mom did eventually lose her battle, but the fight was very different and positive after meeting her radiologist.  She gave her a new outlook on life!  I only wish we could have met her much earlier in the battle, we just might have had a different story to tell.... Find one of these Doctors for you!

I wish you the best of everything in your journey.  If I can help in any way, based on our personal experiences, please feel free to send me a message.

Hugs from California

 

On 4/23/2008 Husband4keeps wrote:

Husband dx w/small cell and/or combination w/adenocarcinoma, mets to spine, hip, spot on liver, masses on both lungs.  Tx is chemo, possible rx to brain for preventative spread.  1st round of chemo, kidney function took a dive downwards, cough improved, constipation a real issue from codeine, calcium and IV treatment to bones.  Started second round of chemo yesterday.  We are trying to prepare for any new side effects.  The chemo changed to carboplatin for ease on kidneys.  After 3 rounds, then evaluation for the treatment effect on disease spread or improvement.  I didn't see many messages posted on small cell lung Cancer.  Can anyone comment on their treatment and outcomes.  Thanks.

Dear Husbandforkeeps (I like that).  My husband was diagnosed with small cell lc 2 years ago.  After his first round of chemo and radiation, there was no more cancer.  Then after about 7 short months, it returned and metastisized to his bones (hips and spine).  Again, with more chemo they were able to get rid of the tumor in the lung, but he still has it in the bones.  He received 7 more rounds of chemo and we have a PET scan today and see the doctor this Friday.  When he was diagnosed, the doctor told him he only had 6-9 months left.  But, today (6 months later) he feels pretty good and works every day.  He does have some intermitant pain in his leg and hips, but the doctor thinks that's one of the side effects of the Zometa, the drug they are giving him to strengthen his bones.  How is your husband doing?  I hope you respond to this message as well as anyone else who has sclc. 

It does seem that because this type of cancer is related to smoking, you don't hear much about it.  Even from the lung cancer awareness society. Are we to be thrown away. 

 

On 4/23/2008 Husband4keeps wrote:

Husband dx w/small cell and/or combination w/adenocarcinoma, mets to spine, hip, spot on liver, masses on both lungs.  Tx is chemo, possible rx to brain for preventative spread.  1st round of chemo, kidney function took a dive downwards, cough improved, constipation a real issue from codeine, calcium and IV treatment to bones.  Started second round of chemo yesterday.  We are trying to prepare for any new side effects.  The chemo changed to carboplatin for ease on kidneys.  After 3 rounds, then evaluation for the treatment effect on disease spread or improvement.  I didn't see many messages posted on small cell lung Cancer.  Can anyone comment on their treatment and outcomes.  Thanks.

Dear Husbandforkeeps, I was just wondering how your husband is doing.  I hope you come back to this board.  As stated in other posts, there's so little about sc lung cancer.  My husband seems to be getting better every day.  I hope the same for you. 

Dear Chef4u,

Thank you for your post.  I'm very glad to hear that your husband is responding well to treatments and is feeling better.  It's so nice to hear the successes, especially in the small cell LC forum.  Every person here is worthy of the best possible care and support regardless of their stage or type of lung disease.

My thoughts and best wishes for continued victories in the fight against this disease are with you! 

 

On 4/23/2008 Husband4keeps wrote:

Husband dx w/small cell and/or combination w/adenocarcinoma, mets to spine, hip, spot on liver, masses on both lungs.  Tx is chemo, possible rx to brain for preventative spread.  1st round of chemo, kidney function took a dive downwards, cough improved, constipation a real issue from codeine, calcium and IV treatment to bones.  Started second round of chemo yesterday.  We are trying to prepare for any new side effects.  The chemo changed to carboplatin for ease on kidneys.  After 3 rounds, then evaluation for the treatment effect on disease spread or improvement.  I didn't see many messages posted on small cell lung Cancer.  Can anyone comment on their treatment and outcomes.  Thanks.

We are on our 5th cycle of the 6 cycles planned at this time.  The chemo remained cisplatin all through with all the other components for bone, white cell and red blood cell stimulation.  The actual chemo side effects have been typical, especially the fatigue, weight loss and weakness.  We fight the lab values every week for magnesium, WBC, Hemoglobin, etc.  The PET scan after 3 cycles showed great improvement in the lung and bone disease with resolve of the liver lesion.

What my concern at this time is.....can we take a break and go on a vacation with our grown children and little grandchildren?  We would like to do something peaceful....going to the East Coast and watching sunrises and the waves on the ocean.  We want a month off of treatment after the 6th cycle in mid-July and celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary on Sept 7th with a little stored energy if possible.  After that trip, the oncologist can direct the next step in treatment.  I just feel like we need that time to rejuvenate, even at the risk of reoccurence sooner.  What is the next course of treatment?  Do we have more chemo, radiation, etc.?  Yes, these are questions to ask the oncologist.  Right now, although my husband has no pain or shortness of breath, he has one day of pleasure before he goes back for the next treatment.  Please tell me about your experiences.  I am so thankful he is with us and not being difficult about his treatment.  Thanks for listening.

Jan