On 7/19/2007
Rich1951 wrote:
A few weeks ago I posted a message about SUV ratings from a pet scan and got a few helpful responses. Hoping for the same here. Unfortunately last time I had posted I didn't know I had small cell. It has been comfirmed and I started my first round of cisplatin and etoposide yesterday. On my first day I recieve cisplatin, fluids and etoposide. My second and third day of the round is onlly etoposide. I will have four rounds of this treatment. Is this about average for a round or can anyone enlighten me. I felt very tired both days (sure hope that improves) other than that no other side effects other than ringing in my ears once when I got up today.
Starting 5-6 weeks of radiation on small lung tumor and lymph glands. Had a cat scan and found no cancer in the brain and I discussed the preventive brain radiation and will probably take it. Scary part of all this small cell stuff is even though my doctor said he would classify me at one of the best candidates for cure (very small tumor and surrounding lymph) statistically I still only have a 25% chance for a five year survival. Finding out I had small cell was devastating. I found out over the phone and my wife said I turned white as ghost but I'm trying to keep a good attitude.
Sorry to be so long winded. Any survivor stories and info about my rounds of treatment (is the the average round and treatment?) My best wishes and prayers to everyone out there. I think we need a few miracles.
I am working on fighting small cell bladder cancer which is very similar. I had the basically the same chemo except I believe I had an extra day of VB-16 (etoposide) I had five rounds but two were targeted for the transitional cell bladder cancer.
Getting tired, ringing in your ears, nausia etc are all part of it but at the end of the day, doesn't mean much compared to not having the chemo.
I believe that statistics are broad based - what are the characteristics of the sample (older than you, sicker, other morbitities, type of care and focus, how big is the sample). I am into I am well into year 2 from the original diagnosis and 7 months after it was found to have spread. I had complete remission, then a slight reoccurence then changed chemo then gone on the PET/CAT scan so... so far so good.
I have also been presented with the option of the whole brain radiation as a profalactive measure - would be interested to hear more of your thoughts.
Small cell stinks but fortunately, it reacts well to chemo. I am with you, we need some miracles - and enough time for the science and medical world to beat the disease.
Faith, familty and support people are the most important.