What should I expect?

I was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer with a met to the brain. The diagnosis was definitive 8/4/09. Have been going through a mega diagnostic workup. PET Scan, two MRI/MRA, the second one on a newer more powerful machine. I was referred to a neurosurgeon and he's deciding if he'll operate or not. He feels the brain tumor may not be large enough. My oncologist wants the brain treated first. Meet with my oncologist again on Monday 8/10. I'm 63, quit smoking a little over 12 years ago. Did smoke ppd for almost 40 years. I'm extremely active, I run everyday. Very anxious and want to start some sort of treatment ASAP. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

Go to cancergrace.org and ask the Drs there!  It's moderated by Oncologists.

once you register, go to the forums.  Dr. West is a great communicator.

He answered my questions quickly and kindly. The other Oncs there are great, too.

 

On 8/8/2009 MEIRCOLES wrote:

I was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer with a met to the brain. The diagnosis was definitive 8/4/09. Have been going through a mega diagnostic workup. PET Scan, two MRI/MRA, the second one on a newer more powerful machine. I was referred to a neurosurgeon and he's deciding if he'll operate or not. He feels the brain tumor may not be large enough. My oncologist wants the brain treated first. Meet with my oncologist again on Monday 8/10. I'm 63, quit smoking a little over 12 years ago. Did smoke ppd for almost 40 years. I'm extremely active, I run everyday. Very anxious and want to start some sort of treatment ASAP. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

Might they consider radiation on that small brain met?   Sounds like you have aggressive treatment and the encologist is getting the job done.  It is a great shock to get this diagnosis and takes awhile to adjust.      I just wrote on another entry here and gave synopsis of my story.    There are many options and keep your general health up with your exercise, eating correctly, having happy times, and get going on those treatments.  Quality of life is king.    There are many books out on taking care of your body.  We have decided to go to a naturopath encologist because we want to take the right supplements in the right combinations and strengths to accompany the chemos and radiations.   It's important to keep you immune system strong and your body strong to combat the chemos, etc.    We're with you.   Believe it or not, many cancer patients are grateful for the experience because they learn to enjoy each minute. 

 

 

On 8/8/2009 lovedone09 wrote:

Go to cancergrace.org and ask the Drs there!  It's moderated by Oncologists.

I just looked at the GRACE website mentioned, and saw a submission by Dr. West about a man who came to him who first had radiation for brain mets and is no on Tarceva and is doing well after 5 years.  Dr. West thinks we may be developing much more positive statistics on survivability in lung cancer.  It will take awhile for the stats to get into the books, but Dr. West works a lot with clinical trials and is an expert on Lung Cancer.  Good news.

 

On 8/10/2009 nevah wrote:

 

On 8/8/2009 MEIRCOLES wrote:

I was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer with a met to the brain. The diagnosis was definitive 8/4/09. Have been going through a mega diagnostic workup. PET Scan, two MRI/MRA, the second one on a newer more powerful machine. I was referred to a neurosurgeon and he's deciding if he'll operate or not. He feels the brain tumor may not be large enough. My oncologist wants the brain treated first. Meet with my oncologist again on Monday 8/10. I'm 63, quit smoking a little over 12 years ago. Did smoke ppd for almost 40 years. I'm extremely active, I run everyday. Very anxious and want to start some sort of treatment ASAP. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

Might they consider radiation on that small brain met?   Sounds like you have aggressive treatment and the encologist is getting the job done.  It is a great shock to get this diagnosis and takes awhile to adjust.      I just wrote on another entry here and gave synopsis of my story.    There are many options and keep your general health up with your exercise, eating correctly, having happy times, and get going on those treatments.  Quality of life is king.    There are many books out on taking care of your body.  We have decided to go to a naturopath encologist because we want to take the right supplements in the right combinations and strengths to accompany the chemos and radiations.   It's important to keep you immune system strong and your body strong to combat the chemos, etc.    We're with you.   Believe it or not, many cancer patients are grateful for the experience because they learn to enjoy each minute. 

Thanks. Your advice and encouragment are appreciated.

 

Hi...Hang in there.  With just a few changes I could have written your letter 4 and 1/2 years ago.  Out of the clear blue I was diagnosed stage iv squamous cell lung cancer with a met to my brain and skull.  I rapidly went thru all the scans and tests you are getting.  I was 66 at the time, and was devastated because I was in such great shape and felt so good.  I had stopped smoking about 8 yrs before and thought I was home free of the lung cancer threat.  Here I am 4 and 1/2 years later and just returned from a fishing trip.  Life has mostly been good.  I have had a ton of treatments and medications, including much radiation.  I started with a neurosurgeon removing the brain met, and a chunk of my skull.  I then had radiation on that area.  I then had 15 weeks of chemo, and then radiation soon afterwards for a growing met in my lower spine.  18 months after the first brain met surgery, a big 5+ cm met was found under the back of my brain.  My neurosurgeon removed this one in a difficult operation that left me sight defective to the extent I could drive no more.  My wife is a good driver so I took that in stride.  I had directional radiation on that tumor site(no whole brain!!) and survived with my faculties pretty much in tact.  I was put on Tarceva in July '05 and have not missed a day since although I was reduced from 150mg to 100mg/day at some point.   

I had a squamous cell on my scalp removed a couple of weeks ago, but that was only complicated by it being on the titanium screen that replaced the chunk of my skull removed in 2005.  Prayer has been a huge help in my survival and treatment.  I did my first skydive last year at 69, and have done a bunch of other things on my "bucket list".  This all says that there is hope.  Treatment is a little better each year.  Just get up each morning and give thanks for each day, and spit in the eye of cancer and go ahead with life.  Life can be really good even after a stage iv cancer diagnosis. 

You are on the same tract I have been on.  I was hopeless for a while and wasted what should have been good times, but I did not waste too muhc.  I have met a ton of great folks in all sorts of setting thru cancer.  Good luck, and stay positive, and get great folks to pray for you.

Ed