Just Recently Lost Spouse To Adenocarcinoma

My name is Irene,just recently lost my husband to lung cancer (Adenocarcinoma_ which is what the autopsy showed. Havent talked w/pathologist yet, as I just received the report last week. My husband passed away 41 days after being diagonosed. Although, he had symptoms a few weeks earlier (headaches) he was diagosed w/lung & brain cancer. When first diagosed, he had a bronoscopy w/biopsies, which proved nothing, just suspicious. although the Drs. were sure they were cancerous, w/out knowing the cell type, he began 15 radiation treatments on the brain, then developed blood clots in the lungs, which prevented any further biopsies. He had worked 30 yrs at GM, where asbestos , from brake linings are produced, plus compound rubber mixing, also benzene. He was also a smoker of 50+ yrs, which contributed to his demise, I am sure. I have been researching the internet sites, trying to find out as much as I can about this type of cancer. I would appreciate any messages from anyone who is going or has gone through this. Thank you, Irene

Hi There...
I am so sorry about the loss of your husband. I was diagnosed last Aug with Non Small Cell and I believe the big mama they removed from my right upper lobe was an Adenocarcinoma...4cm...
actually they removed my entire right upper lobe. I am a stage 4 and that sucks...so far the doctors have told me that they would rather I hold off on treatment until something obvious pops up (I have it in both lungs -nodules) as well as outside my windpipe. I am going for a second opionion on Nov 7. I am also a 46 yr old female who doesn't smoke so as I'm learning more and more about this nasty disease, I'm also learning that alot of people who DON"T smoke are getting it. I have always taken good care of myself...I'm a mom with 4 kids 17 -12 -
when you're a mom you have to set a good example for the kids...I've been blessed with great kids...BUT was smoking since I was pretty much born...(mom & dad) are smokers and so is husband (gotta love that old second hand smoke!!) Its really not fair...of course any kind of cancer is never fair. God bless your husband, God bless you....keep yourself well and since he was a smoker...if you EVER develope pnemonia,always have it followed up with a CT scan...xrays will not show a small tumour....If I would have known that I might have saved myself...I've had "pnemonia" 4 times over the past 2 years....too bad I never requested a CT scan....remember xrays don't show anything but fuzz...get a scan to be more accurate...God Bless...

Andrea- I had pneumonia diagnosed in November of 2004. Had 4 chest X rays, and a CT of the chest with contrast- I reviewed it with the radiologist and told him I was worried about Lung Cancer. He told me it was fine. January I had a bronchoscopy (normal view), and the washings came back NSC Lung.

I'm a 48 yr old non-smoking male physician. 3b with mediastinal nodes on the opposite side.

I had chemo & radiation, followed by R pneumonectomy, followed by Carbiplat & Taxotere chemo. So far, my CT is completely clear (11 months after dx). So far so good. But CT's are notorious for hiding Lung CA within pneumonias. Just wanted to let you know you're not the only baby in the bunch here. Keep your chin up and as my pulmonologist told me: Miracles happen every day, no reason why you shouldn't be one of them.