need answers

Hi my mom is 56 and she was diagnosed with stage 3b adenocarcinoma lung cancer about 3 months ago since then it has spread to her temple collarbone back groin and upper right leg and lymph nodes and they have changed her stage to stage 4 i was just wondering if anyone can give me any info on this i am kinda confused when i looked it up it said that stage 4 is terminal but  for some reason my mom appears to be feeling better now  that she is stage 4 then she did when she was stage 3b i was just wondering what the survival rate is? and if treatment is worth the side affects she has already had 2 rounds of radiation and is scheduled to do 10 more treatments as well as taking tarceva  also they want her to do chemo when the radiation and tarceva is finished. I was also wondering if there is anything i can do to help her through this and if i should explain to her what stage 4 means cause she still seems to think that there might be a chance of curing this please any information would help thanks

 

On 7/19/2009 peaches2292 wrote:

Hi my mom is 56 and she was diagnosed with stage 3b adenocarcinoma lung cancer about 3 months ago since then it has spread to her temple collarbone back groin and upper right leg and lymph nodes and they have changed her stage to stage 4 i was just wondering if anyone can give me any info on this i am kinda confused when i looked it up it said that stage 4 is terminal but  for some reason my mom appears to be feeling better now  that she is stage 4 then she did when she was stage 3b i was just wondering what the survival rate is? and if treatment is worth the side affects she has already had 2 rounds of radiation and is scheduled to do 10 more treatments as well as taking tarceva  also they want her to do chemo when the radiation and tarceva is finished. I was also wondering if there is anything i can do to help her through this and if i should explain to her what stage 4 means cause she still seems to think that there might be a chance of curing this please any information would help thanks

 

P.s i for got to mention that it is non small cell lung cancer

Peaches:

My in laws have just been informed that an aunt has the same DX as your mom.  She was given a short time to live in her prognosis. 

Let me caution you here.....if you accept the terminal nature of your prognosis, you are sure to die.  However, you can choose hope and quality of life .  At least hope for the best and be grateful for what you get.  We really have no choice anyway.

My husband is one year in remission from a stage four cancer.  We are grateful his form could be cured.  While adeno c does not appear curable, many seem to live well beyond their prognosis.  And, they also appear to live quite well. 

Modern medicine provides great opportunity, especially the clinical trials.  Now is the time to embrace them and seek a solution that makes your mothers time worth living.  

Maybe you and I can hang out on here together.  Perhaps we will pull together tidbits that will help each others and our loved ones.

Most importantly, you must take care of yourself.  I speak from what I know!  Being a caregiver sucks the life out of you.  If you let that happen, you let your mom down.  So take care of yourself every step of the way.

My best,

Mediator 

 

I am in the same position as you.  My father was diagnosed a couple of months ago with stage 4 adenocarcinoma and we have done 4 rounds of chemo.  we will find out next week if it is helping.  I am his primary caregiver and I know how hard it is everyday just to try and function.  I am at the point where I do not know what to do to help my dad.  He is divorced so I am the main decision maker most of the time. He is at the point where he hopes he can stay by himself during the nights in a few days, but I am so scared to do that.  Is your mom able to stay by herself at this time?

I wish I had some magic treatment to tell you about, but I am wanting more answers myself.  If you find any informaton out or anything that helps your mom please pass it on.  Hang in there and remember to pray every day and try to keep a postive attitude.