Latest Lung Cancer discussions http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/lung-cancer/1,0,119,3.htm Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I just had another ct scan and it read that I have an enlarged lymph node in the left hilar, which i have no idea what that means , i have had lung cancer and they did the surgery and they said they got it all. but now I am afraid again. can anyone answer this question. what does this mean . They want to do a PET scan in 3 months  Please someone answer soon. May god bless http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29147,0.htm Breathfree Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello, well I just found out that my kids grandmother has been diagnosed with lung cancer and cancer in the bones which has metastisized to her hip and shoulder area. I have tried to find out what stage she is in but they keep saying they don't know yet because they are still running tests. Does anyone out there know what is going on?? When I first asked they gave me a time frame of her living 3 to 6 mo. I am very confused and I don't know how to sit and explain to my children. Can anyone please help! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29134,0.htm lovingevryday Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had been writing about my mother/tarceva and a rash that developed. She has had relief with Doxycycline (low dose). This was prescribed for her after we read online about someone else who had success with such treatment. My question now is, how long does she take that for? Does she just take it when the rash breaks out and then stop it after things settle back down?Thanks for your help,Meeshy http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29120,0.htm meeshy Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Just to let everyone know my dad passed 26/09 after 7 months of a hard battle agains small cell lung.  He had it in th lung liver lymph skin and bone, after 3 rounds of chemo ending in may they told us there was nothing else they could do only pallative care.  My dad started the alternative medicine and after a couple of weeks started to feel better but the amount he was on became unbarable.  We live in the UK and had been looking around for the vit c intraveneously for some time and wasnt until i had an email from a cancer compass friend who told me of a place in London.  My dad only had 5 doses of the vit c and was rushed to resus department after we thought was a bad chest infection but on the xray the cancer in the lung was barely noticable.  The vit c not only helped shrink the tumours but my dad for the last seven weeks of this life was on NO pain relief it was PNEMONIA that killed my dad.  I just wanted to let people know that the Vit c did work for dad but the NHS did NOT!!!!!!  Don't let them take over your loved ones life they did with my mum and dad Mx http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29083,0.htm francesca1 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT My Dad is about to undergo his first ever chemo (Alimta with Dexamethasone) for Non Small Cell, non squamous adenocarcinoma, wet 3b (pleural effusion).He was a very robust 80 years old prior to this, with managed rheumatoid arthritis.  Any folks out there having success with Alimta for this scenario? Things we should watch out for after treatment #1, besides rash and fatigue?    http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29055,0.htm earthmom Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have posted from time to time and just wanted to let everyone know that George, my husband, past on Friday after 24 days in the hospital.  His pain was a nightmare as he did not respond to any medication so it was hell and beyond.  But, in the end I held him, loved him and talked him through the end and it was very peaceful.  He actually ended up with a smile on his face and the funeral home said he came to them that way.  What a Blessing he has his peace and is now pain free!  Thanks to all that responded to my post and my prayer is that not a single person will suffer the way he did.  Take care.  Margaret http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29049,0.htm Baptist Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello all,    Well after 7 weeks of diangnois, hospitals, Hospice, and now the passing of my Granddad I stand here with a lot of knowledge. I am willing to share any and all of it. Since finding out my Granddad had Lung Cancer it has been a whirlwind to say the least. I always wanted answers and wanted to know "how much longer". I have learned a ton. Please feel free to ask anying reguarding Hospice, dealing with pain, and even death. My heart is with you all. This is the most difficult thing I have ever been through. All of it. God Bless.  CH http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29045,0.htm ch199soprano Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed with possible lung cancer in August.  I had a PET scan which showed cancer though it took me two weeks to track down the report.  I have been trying to get a needle biopsy for about 3 weeks.  I'm hoping to get that done this week or next week.  But what I want to know is what happens after that.  How does lung cancer affect a person?  How long can I plan to be able to do anything?  I don't know and I can't get an oncologist until after the needle biopsy which doesn't seem to be happening.  I'm very frustrated and think that maybe folks have just written me off.  Any advice?  Thanks. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29036,0.htm jaspito Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi: I  have stage IV NSCLC, diagnosed 02/08.  I have been on Tarceva for a little over two months. Ever since I started Tarceva I have had horrible problems with diarrhea.  The doctor suggested I try Immodium  It worked for a while but eventually it stopped working.  I tried Pepto Bismol.  It worked for a while and then stopped. I tried generic for Immodium, it did not work.  The doctor prescribed Lonox and it has stopped working.  Does anyone have a suggestion for me, I am afraid of becoming dehydrated.  I have seen replies to other postings suggesting Anti Diarrheal from the Dollar General Store but we don't have one in my town.  Thanks for your help.   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29029,0.htm Bunnisha Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT My mother was diagnosed with Stage III Lung Cancer (the slow moving kind, non-small cell) in early September 07.  She had 6 rounds of chemo (which was deemed an overwhelming success because it sent the cancer running scared and reduced her tumor by 60%).  She went in for the kill with radiation, which she finished in March.  There was still a little bit left, so she started Tarceva in late August this year.Now, in early October, she has quick-spreading (small-cell?) cancer-spots in her lungs and neck.  Has anybody experienced a switch in cancer kinds and in such a short time?  Doctors are saying small-cell responds better to traditional chemo, but...What advice or life-experience can anybody give me?I appreciate your words.Arlen http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29027,0.htm pkunzipula Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Good evening,My husband has Stage IV lung cancer. He was diagnosed in July. (He ran a marathon in May of this year.) Right now he is in a hospital bed in our family room. He went through two rounds of chemo and they were not a success. His left lung is collapsed. (They drained fluid from his lung wall each time draining about 1,500 CC. He is having a hard time swallowing. I am not sure if it is from the radiation that they tried 10 days ago or if he is in the final stages of his life. He had ten treatments of radiation to his chest in hopes of opening his bronchial tubes since the tumor has completely closed them. Hospice has been called in and they are helping me. In July we found that his cancer has spread to his lymph nodes, his scapula, femur, and now to his right lung along with some other areas. He can walk to the bathroom, which is about 15 feet from his bed. He is eating very little and takes several naps during the day. I have two sons, 25 and 23. I am wondering, is he is the last stages of his cancer, and what should I be looking for in order to help him. I feel so very sad, but I hate to see him suffer this way. He has a patch for pain as well as some oral pain medication. Please help, give me some advice. How much longer will he continue to be this way?Annie http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28996,0.htm Annie01 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am starting Tarceva in the next few days and wanting to know if anyone has any suggestions on how to lessen side effects. Is it better to take it bedtime, morning or does it matter. Any diet suggestions, things to eat or avoid that sort of thing. Any suggestions would be a big help. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28990,0.htm Bob Merced Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT My dad has ben on Tarceva for the past 2.5years and is doing very well. I see that some of you are on both Tarceva and Avastin. What is the advantage of using both?  Do the drs. prescribe both if one alone is not working? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28985,0.htm Sterling Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT I was just wondering if anyone knew of any alternatives to chemo and radiation. My dad is getting ready to start that process soon and I was wondering if there were any other first round options. I am scared that his body can't handle the affects of the chemo. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28873,0.htm kjdill22 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Recently I wrote in about my mother who is now "stable" on Tarceva;( Diagnosed with NSCLC in Dec. 2006, status post chemo/rad, at MDA). I was aking for help with the side effects of Tarceva, namely the rash. Thanks to some of you who wrote we have found relief in the low dose Doxycycline antibiotic and especially the cream which my mom can't say enough about as she was really depressed and exhausted from the pain and itching ith the rash the cream is/was clobetasol propionate and it cleared her up in three days! Thank you all very much for this reprieve. When I was discussing with her the commonalities of peoples reaction to Tarvceva she asked me to post this helpful hint for those who experience diarrhea, she has found that coconut as in coconut macaroons helps to stop it, she does warn that it can cause constipation if too much coconut is ingested but it is a tasty way to maybe help with that problem.Thanks again,Meeshy http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28833,0.htm meeshy Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT The Dr. told him last Friday that the CT showed, either stage 4 or a bad infection. He has a radionuclide scan today. Does he have informantion enough to say that? What a weekend. Tim has had lung & breathing problems scence May of 07. He was in Orlando on business, had a sever attack(asthma) he was in respiratory failure and thank GOD he was in a city that has good pulmonary Drs. He recovered and began seeing an allergy specialist. His work history is in metal work and other nasty things while in the Marines.He has been taking steriods and I and hoping what the doc see's is scaring. Need input for my informantion. I am going crazy!! Thank you, Judy Ann http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28818,0.htm Judy Ann Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT My original posting is below.  I had the CT Scan on 9/25 and the results are outstanding.  My oncologist says that the cancer is dramatically reduced!   I just wanted to let you all know, and help provide hope for all of us!   :)  LisaI have stage IV NSCLC, adenocarcinoma with bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma features.  I was just diagnosed on 8/8/08, I am a 46 year old non-smoking female. I have been a vegetarian for 28 years, jogged 5 times a week, went to the gym, left a stressful high tech job 9 years ago to become a massage therapist.  I thought I did everything right as far as a healthy lifestyle goes and this happens!   Anyway, I am in a clinical trial taking 150mg of Tarceva daily and every 3 weeks I have Avastin via IV (2 infusions thus far).  I will have my first CT scan on 9/25/08.  I will let you all know what the results are at that time.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28798,0.htm ljgmalibu Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, My 82 year old mother was diagnosed with BAC stage IV (according to pathology, non-mucinous) about a month ago.  Unfortunately, she has been having symptoms since Feb 2008...the Dr's kept thinking it was reoccuring pneumonia, so, they did not do the lung biopsy until late August once they exhausted all options.  PET scan, bronchoscopy, and sputum results came up negative for cancer...so, the diagnosis took a while.  Prior to this, she was a very healthy and active 82 year old.  She smoked, for about 24 years, but stopped smoking around the age of 40. Unfortunately, her condition has degraded to having to wear an oxygen mask and requires a high oxygen flow.  She has been on Tarceva for about 3 weeks now...no visible results that we can see except for the diarrhea (common side-effect).  No rash as of yet. Her oncologist recommends giving the full 8 weeks before evaluating with a CAT scan to see if the cancer is shrinking.  I've read miraculous stories...people getting responses from Tarceva within just a couple of weeks.  My hope for the drug is that it will at least allow her not to have to wear the mask, and possibly downgrade to using nasal cannulas.  Also, she has a productive cough as a result of the disease, and I was hoping the drug could at least minimize that.  Anyway, any help or encouragement about Tarceva timeframes for response would be greatly apreciated.  Thank you! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28788,0.htm dbaman2000 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT I just wanted to thank all of you who have given me advice and support over these last few months. I regret to inform you that my dad passed away on August 16 of stage 4 lung cancer. He fought so hard and so long. We never could figure out what it was he was holding on to, but he finally told one of his friends his reasons one night. To try to put it simply he said that he felt it was the closest to God he could be and to understand the pain that His son went through when He died for us. I found out that I was the last person he said anything to....which was "I love you" a couple of days before he died. I feel so honored and special that he did that. I called that day (16th) and spoke to him for the last time. I could hear him barely breathing and pretty much gasping for air. I told him, "Daddy it's ok to let go. You have fought so long and so hard. Mom and I will be ok. You've taught us so much. I can't see you suffer anymore." I told him I loved him and I let him go. I knew he could hear me and understand what I was saying. Our family friend answered when I called and he said that my dad knew it was me on the phone (he had a special ringtone for me....LET ME CALL YOU SWEATHEART)......cause his eyes got big. I miss him so much. I find myself wondering if I've grieved yet about it. How do you know??? I do know that I find myself avoiding any conversation about it unless it's something like...."oh dad would have liked this or dad used to do that". As far as his death goes......I don't seem to feel comfortable talking about certain things. I don't know. I guess it's just human to have mixed feelings. Anyway.....thanks again to all of you and may God bless you and your families that are suffering as well. Kristen http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28776,0.htm kristenL83 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone had luck with minimizing or getting ride of the terrible gum ulcers and lip swelling/soreness associated with taking tarceva?  Mom's been on it about a year now and just recently got terrible ulcers and her lips are painful looking...so red and swollen and chapped.  Pure lanolin at least does not burn when you apply it but surgeons glove and glove in a bottle both do.  Plus she has started to develop raised red postules on one arm and now the other...almost chicken pox like.  At first thought it could be shingles but no pain associated with it...just nasty looking.  Anyone else have these side effects?  Any remedies?Pat  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28765,0.htm PattyAnne Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am a 56 F who was recently dx'd with lung cancer in the upper portion of my left inner lobe.  After a meting with a heart specialist next week (9/30) to see if all is well with my heart (it is beating too rapidly and they are concerned...--and I don't wanna guess...let the experts handle that)--I will be scheduled for a lobectomy.  At present there are no plans for any follow-up chemo or radition.   There is one scary aside to this...they also have found (via a PET) that there are 'suspicious' lymph nodes in the chest wall that will be looked at first by the surgeon.  He will remove them and path them immediately.  If they prove to be non-malignant the surgeon says he will 'flip me over' and do the lobectomy. Naturally I am praying for the lymph nodes to be clear and cancer in the lung to be large cell.  I am scared to death about not only the cancer but the surgery itself.  I would love to hear from anyone who has had a lobectomy and how they fared, the recovery time, if they had follow-up chemo and radiation, etc.  Basically anything that might be of help to me.This is my second cancer.  Twenty years I was dx'd with large cell lymphoma and my prognosis was NOT good.  I fought like heck and made it..only to have it return two more times over the lst few years.  Now this.I have never asked 'why me' because I know the answer is'why not me.'  I wouldn't wish any of this on anyone.  I am trying to remain strong but my son and my finance' are both so scared they barely want to discuss this with me.   So...if there are any fine folks out there reading this who have had any kind of experience with above description...I would love hearing from you.Thank you so much for your help...Mary http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28763,0.htm wonderling Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Approximately 9 months ago my mother was diagnosed with non small cell lung carcinoma. She was treated surgically and it appeared all was ok. The cancer was caught very early. When she had a follow up PET scan to restage, a large mass was found on her right adrenal gland. Within a week of this discovery, before she could even set up treatment (due to the ineptitude of the insurance company) the mass began to bleed and cause severe pain. I ended up taking her to the emergency room, where she was admitted for further treatment. After a few delays (3 days) where no one could decide what to do or how to treat it, I had her transferred to another hospital, where she immediately had surgery to remove the adrenal gland. The initial pathology suggested a adrenal cortical tumor. This is so rare that the doctors wanted additional pathology. Now the second pathology report has come back stating that this is "probably" a mets from her lung cancer. At this point, I don't know what to think. Her oncologist wants to start her on chemo next week, but my question is this; would the chemo be any different as far as what drug is used for a metastisis of the lung cancer or a primary cancer of the adrenal gland? The big question which seems to have everyone puzzled is this...is the lung cancer from the adrenal gland or the adrenal cancer from the lung? Any help or suggestion would be GREATLY appreciated. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28710,0.htm angelgrace Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT My wife was diagnosed with non small cell stage 4 lung cancer and they also say that it has infiltrated the heart lining causing her heart to beat too rapidly. So far the efforts to control it have failed and they say she could be in heart failure in a few months if it isn't controlled. They have also said that it is incurable and the only option is chemotherapy. On the first dose she went into respiratory arrest with an allergic reaction to the chemo "Taxol". Very scary moments. They have now given her 2 doses of Gemzar and Carbo and she is tolerating it pretty well except for being very weak for a couple days afterward. Sometimes this stuff gets very overwhelming for us and there seems to be nowhere to turn for relief. Friends always try to help or have offered to help but we just don't know what we need. I do play with a band and have a bit of relief from that. The uncertainty of this disease is the worst. I am bipolar and am on antidepressants and other things for that but even that doesn't help at times. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28700,0.htm James55 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband finished 10 whole brain radiation treatments about two weeks ago, he is home now after having some sort of episode in the elevator after treatment #8...they thought he might have had a stroke because he had loss of vision (which has since returned to normal) and he basically collapsed on the floor. After a CT scan and MRI the doctor feels he did not have an actual stroke, and he said the radiation wouldn't have caused such a thing. He was very disoriented for days. He was told he had three small lesions but hardly any swelling in the brain. His vision problem seemed to stump the doctor. We even wondered if he was being overly dramatic about the whole thing and maybe he was having a severe anxiety attack. Now he is home and started Alimta, he has had one treatment of that so far.He is on Decadron, down to 4mg once a day. His personality is not normal. He talks all day long, never stops, comes up with crazy projects and ideas, is very anxious and easily upset. I am frustrated because I want to know what is causing all of this, is it the steroid, is it the radiation, is it the cancer in his brain?? Maybe all of the above?? Any suggestions? he is home all day by himself and I am so nervous wondering what he is up to, I feel like I can't trust him. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28683,0.htm mommadukes101 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband was told he had small cell lung cancer in May of this year.  He has had 5 rounds of chemo. and has experienced a few side effects, ie, extreme fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, loss of hair, not all but just the dark hair.  The gray stayed so his hair is very thin.  His biggest problem is shortness of breath.  He is fine as long as he is sitting or lying down.  When he moves, even the slighest, he gasps for air and his heart races to 100 plus.  He walks as much as he can for the exercise as his oncologist says this is important.Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem of not being able to breath with min. movement?  He has a CT scheduled in two weeks.  Does chemo. cause this severe breathing problem?  He has had his heart function checked which was fine.  Thanks and God bless.Daisy http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28678,0.htm DAISY373 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT