Is there any hope

My Father was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Cancer in his lung and brain.We were told this is non cureable cancer but they were able to cure him they made him a case study.We found out about 4 months after he was cancer free that he had five more tumors on his brain,one on his hip bone and one posssibly in his lung again.They said there was nothing else that could be done and gave us the number for hospice.He does not seem sick he is active and hasent lost a pound you wouldent know he was sick.Is this how this kind of cancer works is this normal or is there hope?    

          P.S. is there anyother treatments anyone knows about that we can try he has already done kemo,and radiation and they wont give him those anymore.

Hi there,

Best is to make sure and get a second opinion.
It is a nasty disease and may be incurable, but you don't have to run to the hospice. You may be able to use the therapies available today to stop the progression of the disease for quite a while.

There are some additional medications that seem to work for some people such as Tarceva, Avastin, and more. Some people have been on Tarceva for four or more years.  I am not sure how many medications your father has tried, but you can always go for a second opinion and see if there are other chemotherapy or targeter therapies that the doctor maybe willing to try.

Best wishes

On 8/23/2009 Junimoon wrote:

My Father was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Cancer in his lung and brain.We were told this is non cureable cancer but they were able to cure him they made him a case study.We found out about 4 months after he was cancer free that he had five more tumors on his brain,one on his hip bone and one posssibly in his lung again.They said there was nothing else that could be done and gave us the number for hospice.He does not seem sick he is active and hasent lost a pound you wouldent know he was sick.Is this how this kind of cancer works is this normal or is there hope?    

 

          P.S. is there anyother treatments anyone knows about that we can try he has already done kemo,and radiation and they wont give him those anymore.

I don't want to sound negative or judgemental but it sounds to me like you have a frustrated oncology team. Get another opinion.

Hello,

I am also looking for something to help cure my Mum.

She has not had chemo or radiotherapy.  What did they use to cure your father the first time?

My Mum has lung cancer which has spread to her bones.  She is on morphine for the pain but it makes her sick and she can't do anything.  It also does not get rid of the pain.

I would like her to try tarceva but I need to find a doctor here in Australia that will give it to her.

Let me know how your Dad is going.

Love to everyone.

Carol

I am moving in a similar pattern to your dad, and starting Tarceva.  T wish him well.

I wonder when I should go outside the Washington DC area for second opinions after all the years of surgery,chemo, and radiation?

Any advice welcome, as I am a mom alone, not many advisors for me.

Get him on AHCC immediately. www.vitacost.com $39.99 per bottle, and he should take at least six per day. This would cost $120 per month, since there are 60 in each bottle.

I was diagnosed with Stage IV, non-cureable, Adenocarcinoma Unknown Primary in March 2004. I was told I would not make it to my next birthday. I am now at 5-1/2 years since diagnosis.  I take Tarceva, 150 mg, and I take 4 AHCC per day. (took six per day for the first three months).

As so many people have said, you can't let someone put a time stamp on your life.  My doctor told me in March 2004, to take my girls on vacation, get my affairs in order, and resolve any issues that needed to be resolved. For the first two months, I did as he said, and planned my inevitable death. What was I thinking?  I woke up one morning and decided that I'd much rather figure out how to survive, than spend each day planning something so painful.

I am still here. Through the Grace of God, Tarceva, AHCC, and a positive mental attitude.  I think if I would have believed totally in my oncologist, and followed his directions, I'd very likely be dead by now.

Never give up hope, and never quit trying. Our oncologists have no idea what God has in store for us. They know cancer, chemo, and radiation. They refuse to have any interest in naturopathic, homeopathic anything.

God gave us the land. He gave us herbs, medications, and foods that heal our bodies, and he did that for a reason. He intended, when he created us, that we could live and survive on all that he provided.

We can heal. Have a good attitude, keep the faith, and never, never, never give up hope.

You will be in my prayers.

my husband, is also dealing with  stage 111 b n2.

he had 4 chemo, 5 hr each. with 2 types of medicine. the mass grew and the lung filled up again. so it was drain again, now there is still some fluid, but he is not short of breath. and they started him on enother chemo.  which is only one medice and last about 1/2 hr. he had one treatment so far. his wieght lost is  already 50 lbs since feb.  they can't remove the left lung because the right side is not strong enought  due to years of smoking [which he stoped 11 years ago] he also has heart problem. but said he will deal with one thing at a time.  he has 2 stuts a pace maker,  today i found out  today one of the  med for the heart  was  bad for the lungs and no one told me this i was giving him the med alll along. . don't dr look at medications.

i am with you, in not knewing what to do next.   no time line was given to us. and  all that i really knew is his is bad. and it don't seem to be much hope. i would like to have  some idea as how long. it is like i am waiting for the the shoe to drop.  

is there any one out there in my shoes i fell alone. have not much support....