Hello All---
Since my mother (age 75) was dx'd in DEC 2006 with Stage IV, NSCLC, Squamous cell, I have been been an avid reader of this site. My heart breaks for all who are going through the disease indvidually or as caretakers, and as loved ones---there really are no words to aptly describe both the emotional and physical highs and lows.
As you all share your stories and your pain, I am so appreciative of those loved ones who underwent various forms of treatment as I am confident that their medical stories will shape research and the development of new treatments in the future.
But I feel compelled to share my mother's story with you. She chose no treatment, at all. No chemo, no radiation, no organic drinks, no vitamins, no changes to her every day life before diagnosis. And she is still with me.
She was advised that she had 8-10 months without treatment, and 10-12 with treatment. As I said, she chose to do nothing. We traveled, we laughed and we did spend time in a hospital for 2 surgeries (early stage unrelated to NSCLC colon cancer, and an unrelated unusual upper stomach bleeding lesion). She handled both surgeries well.
I am not sure that the medical community ever really knows the absolute expectancy or outsome for any one individual---as we are all unique, I believe that lung cancer will progress (or not) in a similarly unique manner.
As a Patient, trust your own instincts and chart your own course of llife, to include your choice of treatments. There are no wrong, nor right roads to travel. As a caregiver, support the decisions of the Patient.
And laugh and love each other, every day. My thoughts are with all---
Stephanie