Stage 3B Non Small Cell Lung Cancer-Treatment

Hi,

My 70 year old mother was recently diagnosed with stage 3b NSLC with two primary's. She has just received her first chemo cisplatin and taxotere (21 day intervals) and had been doing well until day 4 after treatment. Pain, constipation, shakes, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite have hit her hard and kept her virtually bed-ridden (not her norm at all). Can anyone give me any information on the success rate of this treatment (dr is a bit vague)? I need to know if this is the best option for her.

Patricia,
Each one of us responds differently to treatment. I had Carboplatin and Taxol along with Tarceva 100mg. My chemo cycle was once a week for three weeks then one week off. The Tarceva I took every day and still do. I had stage lllb or IV lung cancer depending on which doctor. I was told that it was inoperable and that they could not use radiation. I have been cancer free since November 2005 my story is posted on the Lance Armstrong web site. I will be glad to share with you any information that you like. Type or pastes this address in your browser: If you can not copy and paste the first address, because it is too long, then go to the second address and follow the directions below it.

http://shareyourstory.livestrong.org /siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=ijIVI2PFKoG&b=738859&sid=9iIKL0NFLbIUIaMGLmE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://shareyourstory.livestrong.org /siteapps/personalpage/S

Second address:

http://shareyourstory.livestrong.org

Click on FIND A STORY at the left of screen; enter HAROLD in the first name box and NAPLES in the city box. Then click on submit. Click on the last name in red next to HAROLD. If you would like more info let me know. After you read my story you will be able to e-mail me. Ernie (Harold)

Thank you for your words of encouragement. Unfortunately, my mother was a smoker and her health was good but, declining when we found out about her cancer. I'm not sure she can handle the chemo treatments. It doesn't help that my father died only 9 weeks after being diagnosed with a similar type cancer.

Thank you,

Patricia