CancerCompass message board discussion started by Monica W. on 4/12/2004 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,1089,0.htm Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ If anyone out there has been through this, please respond to me. My husband has been recently diagnosed with small cell lung cancer with a few spots on his brain. He had a lymph node taken out that was cancerous also. Drs. say it responds well to radiation and chemo, but it also likes to come back. Is there any hope? I've got my faith in God and my husband has been healed with laying on of hands. We still have to go through the treatments. If there is anyone out there who can help me, please respond. Thank You. Monica W. Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT My husband dealt with small cell lung cancer. The Chemo helped him get his strenght back. They gave him the 1st day Carboplatin and 3days in a row of VP16. The cancer was causing his sodium level to go down and make him disalusional. He did do holistic also and it seemed to help. Noni Juice Shark cartlidge COQ10. It seem to help and he no longer needed any more blood transfusions. He did do radiation to the brain. Doctors couldn't explain why but after the 2nd radiation treatment he had a grand mall seisure. He was put on anti seisure medication. Test showed that the chemo and radiation were keeping the cancer in check. Unfortunately it moved to his spine and they thought that radiation would also help. We did loose him last month. Keep a journal of everything that is happening with you husbands treatments, progress, how he feels after chemo. If he sleeps to much or is getting stronger ect. All question you have for the doctors. Its does help because of all the stress the both of you are under you forget get things and it also helps with questions your doctor may have. It doesn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion. We did and decided to stay with the doctor who was originally treating him. My prayers are with you, and miracles do happen. Randi William D. Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT I am in almost an identical querry. Husband diagnosed in Jan. with non small lung cancer and received radiation and also now beginning chemo. He also got confused a tad after radiation, but no tumors in head according to the scan. It lasted for about two weeks and now gone. No answers on why he got confused.....also had a bad rash that itched like crazy.....we were told it was the cancer.....and to me I suspect it was meds.....which also makes sense when your body is receiving so much bombardment of meds and radiation. No support groups here either......sure wish I could talk to someone who has been through this so I would know a little more on what to expect including hope. Thanks JP N. Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Monica, I am in almost the same situation, my husband was just recently diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. We are still in shock but we have been told that he will start treatments next week starting with chemo along with shark cartilage and also radiation. He is otherwise in perfect health! We are praying and my mother holds group circle of life prayers with her church every week. I don't know much either but you are definitely not alone. Sandi K. Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Monica, My husband was diagnosed with small cell last fall. He was diagnosed with stage IIIA. We had several opionions, but everyone concurred the the orginal oncolgist treatment plan. He was not a candidate for a sectional, he was a big guy and he could not survive with 1 lung. He began treatment in early November of last year, chemo (small dose) with radiation daily (except sat & sun) for six weeks. That took him till the first week in Jan of this year. He had some scans done and it was determined that he had had between a 50%-60% reduction in the tumor. The second part of treament started mid Feb and last week he completed last Chemo. This second time around the chemo treatments were full-strength and were given every 21 days. He has had, 6 chemo treatments, I believe he could have one more but his oncologist says they last one has very little if any impact. He will go to have more scans done in the next week or two and we will find out the "next steps" in early May. I took this diagnoises very hard, we have only been married a year this month. I had some really bad days in the very beginning to the Jan of this year. A friend recommend a support group for caregivers. I found one at our hospital and I go every week. I can't tell you how much helpful information and support I have received. Both of us have a pretty strong faith, we have people all over the world praying for him. I wish you the best for both of you, please stay in touch if you can or if you have specific questions please ask them and I will try to answer them if I can. Please remember to take good care of you, because you can't take good care of him if your not in good shape. Lori N. Tue, 13 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Monica, My name is Alice and I was diagnosed with NSCLC stage lV in 1998. I recommend you go to the site of the Alliance for Lung Cancer, Advocacy, Support and Education. www.ALCASE.org. It is full of info for lung cancer patients and was very helpful to me. They have a phone buddy program and a page of 'Stories of Hope' and my story is one of them. There is a lot of other information that can be helpful. It is the only non-profit organization specifically for lung cancer that I know of. My main purpose in writing to you is to tell you that there is always hope. There are survivors of every kind of cancer and also there is so much research going on and new ideas and treatments being discovered, that hope has to be there. And prayers do help. You are in mine. Best wishes, Alice Alice K. Tue, 13 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT My father is also battling NSCLC and of all the research I've been doing, I have not heard of shark cartlige. Could you please enlighten me? Thanks - Tracey Tracey G. Tue, 13 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Tracy, My husband is 61 and recently been diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer. We were asked if he would like to enter into a clinical trial program and he said yes. this program starts out with chemotherapy along with shark cartlidge followed by radiation. We were told today that the shark cartlidge is a fluid drink and it is kept frozen. You take it out of the freezer 30 minutes prior to drinking it. It has a strong fish flavor but other than the smell and taste most people can tolerate it. I live in Canada and I don't know where you are but perhaps you could make some inquiries. I can certainly keep you posted as to how it has been working once we get started. It will be a couple of weeks yet as it takes a week to have the liquid delivered. Sandi K. Tue, 13 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT I would like to know what kind of treatment you went through for that stage of cancer since my husband is just beginning his chemo after radiation treatments. I sure can use some more encouragement because it sure is not very encouraging elsewhere here. Thanks...I know each person is different and treated according to their specific profile, but nonetheless, I am still interested in what you received for treatments. Thanks...JP JP N. Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Monica - I was diagnosed in Oct 2003 with small cell lung cancer. I'm curious as to where your husband is going to have treatment. I have been going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa. Evelyn P. Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi JP N - I was diagnosed in Oct 2003 with lung cancer also. I'm curious as to where people are taking their treatments. I have gone to the cancer center from the beginning. Thanks. Evelyn P. Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Sandi - I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in Oct 2003 and have been taking chemo at the cancer treatment center. I'm curious as to where else people get their treatments. I would appreciate your response. Thanks Evelyn P. Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Evelyn, my husband will be starting chemo next week and then they will have ordered the shark cartalidge for him to take at home. He will them follow with radiation and chemo. He is in a clinical trial here in Canada. Sandi K. Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Evelyn, We are also going to a cancer center...for treatments. The reason for your question to me is not clear though...thanks. JP N. Thu, 15 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Monica, my hausband was diagnosed with sclc in Sept 2000, he had heavy duty chemotherapy in Sutton (England) called ICE and radiotherapy which took the tumour away. However, in July 2002 it appeared as a metastatis in his left ulna bone. He took a second course of chemo and radiotherapy. They didn't manage to get the tumour. Currently (April 2004), sixteen months later they are talking about strengthening his arm with a rod and giving him pallitaive radiotherapy to the arm. During this time, I researched foods and supplements to help his weakened immune system and keep him health. All the best. God bless. Juliette B. Thu, 15 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Evelyn. My husband has had two radiation treatments and will have about 13-14. Then he will start his chemo. His chemo treatments will be in Morgantown, WV. It's about 1.25 hr away from our home. So far, he has handled radiation ok. My faith in God and in what he can do is VERY strong, and I'm sure he will take care of this and cast it from his body and give us many more years together. Keep the faith Evelyn. Monica Monica W. Thu, 15 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT JP N after my husbands seizure. They started him on dilantin. He started turning a reddish color with a rash. They decided he was allergic to to dilantin and started him on another anti seizure medication. Question any change with a medication. William D. Sun, 18 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT Thanks for your reply. My husband was not put on any seisure meds and the confusion was not severe and only lasted a few days and then cleared up as soon as they put him on a steroid. The rash went away. But interesting is the fact I have a friend who is on that same med (dilantin) and she has had severe rashes and really ill from that and I almost conclude they left her on the meds but I will ask her husband. She doesn't have cancer but does have small seizures that they cannot seem to locate the source for. It may be helpful for him to know that. What meds did they switch your husband to after that? Just curious, but it isn't critically important for me to know. THANKS! JP N. Mon, 19 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT I really am not sure what they gave him instead of dilantin. Through out the medication. If I find one the doctors forms Ill let you know William D. Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT My dad was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma lung cancer in February 2004. He has never smoked and was diagnosed in extensive stage. He has had chemo and irradiation treatments. The lung reduction was 80 to 90% only to find it had spread to his liver. He began chemo last wednes 6/23/2004. It is believed to have derived from Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. Is there anyone who has gone through this or going through this experience? I want to know what to expect so that I can cope? Lavonette Mon, 28 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Evelyn, My name is bonnie and my husband has small cell cancer. I was thinking of going to Cancer Treatment Centers of Amercia in Tulsa where you go. Can you please e-mail me about how you like the center? Very important that I speak with you. Please respond. bonnie Bonblue Thu, 07 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT