Like To Speak To People Who Have Advanced Non-Small Lung Cancer

I am a 44-year-old female who was diagnosed in April of 2002. I would like to hear from others in what kind of treatment they have tried. I have stage 4 lung cancer in my right lung with brain mets. Eight tumors on the brain - had gamma knife procedure done and so far the tumors have reduced by over 65%/. Currently have been taking IP-6 since April and currently receiving Taxotere chemo every week for 3 weeks on, 1 week off. Initially, started with Taxol/carb but no evidence of shrinkage or tumor marker reduction. Currently my tumor makers have gone from 474 to 240. My blood work is always good. I continue to work 40 to 50 hours a week. Don't feel sick other than a slight pain in the right back on occasion. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Hi Barbara,
I have stage 3-b non-small cell adenocarcinoma....was diagnosed January 2002. No chemo, no radiation....mets to the pleural lining....have been on Iressa for 6 months and got off it in Sept. I mainly do alternative healing...acupuncture, cranial sacral work, reiki, yoga and diet stuff. Stay away from sugar, it causes pain, and IP-6 was recommended to me also, a lot of people swear by it. I also take Ecliptex, a Chinese herbal combo supposed to be good for tumors. I also get colonics periodically to help keep everything flushed out. I write to a Barbara in Pennsylvania with lung cancer and will forward you her address.

My husband has stage 3B non-small cell lung cancer. We have approached his cure on several levels. First with chemo/carboplatin and navelbine...decided from assay study. Next with supplements: Immpower, IP6, thymic longevity enzyme, coq10, l-carnitine, n acetyl cysteine, whey protein, glutamine, L-theanine, corycepts enzyme...all prescribed by a very renowned Chinese medicine doc that I tracked down through several sources. He is listed in "choices in Healing" by Michael Lerner....a very good reference book. We are also doing hands on healing, yoga, meditation, relaxation, guided imagery, etc. We are eating a whole foods diet with lots of juicing and fresh fruits and veggies. NO diary, no refined sugar, no alcohol, and NO SWEETS...everything whole grain...kind of macrobiotic, but not. We are getting our protein from Legumes rather than chicken or beef etc. I am hooking up with a research team who does nothing but examine your particular case and recommend the "next step" that is right for you any place in the world...if you are open to that. The researchers are immunologists, geneticists, oncologists, psychiatrists, etc. You do not see them as a patient, but rather they give you options for your next step in case the chemos don't work. We believe in being prepared. I have been tireless in my efforts to leave no stone unturned. Being active in your recovery is of key importance.

I would love to find out how you found the research team...please pass on any info, thank you.

Get in touch with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Maybe they can help. I have learned so much in the past few weeks that I wish I had known sooner and my man would still be alive. There is help out there but you have to search for it. I found it too late!! Don't give up and don't let them give up on you. God be with you.

This message for Barbara T:

I also have stage 4 lung cancer with spread to the brain. I had surgery on my brain to remove large tumor and then had brain radiation back in October. So far no tumors appear in the brain. I had lung surgery in 1999 to remove small tumor in the lung which at the time was thought to not have spread, but 3 years later it had spread to the brain and they think other places in the body, but because the cells are micro they are not showing up on ct scans or pet scan. I am taking chemo as you are, but am starting with Taxol. I'm wonder why you didn't receive full brain radiation before the gamma knife procedure???

Am interested in finding out about the people who tell you what move to take next anyplace in the world...the team of researchers...thanks

I was diagnosed with stage 4, non small cell lung cancer, 12/04. May 05, they put me on Tarceva, after 4 months of chemo. Since then I have been doing great, except for the side-effects. The doctor even cut me back to 75mg., 150 mg., every other day.
The cancer had metasisized in by back so I have monthly infusion of Zometa, a bone strengthener.
So far, so good. Hang in there, it can get better.