CancerCompass message board discussion started by AllieT23 on 2/29/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21511,0.htm Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hey All, iam Allie, iam 23 and my mum was diagnosed 2 weeks this coming tuesday with small cell lung cancer. iam so scared about it all, and iam trying to be supportive for my mum, and iam listening when she needs and giving her a hug when she needs one, and have been to all of her hospital appointments,and am going to her first appointment with her oncologist on tuesday.iam so scared they are going to tell us they cant do anything, we already know they cant operate, and if her lungs are up to it they want to do chemoradiation, but she's been a smoker for the last 45 years, and a heavy one at that, and she's not really in good health before this, that iam scared they wont beable to do it and tell us its not going to be long.we all want to know how long they think it might be with and without treatment, cause at the moment, she's at the 'im in no pain or anything, so why go through treatment' stage and as much as ive tried to tell her it probably wont stay that way it just doesnt seem to go in. iam worried that because she is also suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar that its really going to affect her and she will get ill again, when she has been well for 6 years.i mean whatever she decides i will support, even if its going to upset me to do.can anyone give me any advice? i never thought id have to go through this, watching my mum go through this at such a young age.i dont think it helps that her own dad died of lung cancer at 68, and my mum is nearly 61, so its just reminding us all of him etc.iam so scared and i feel so alone aswell.ThanksAlliexxx AllieT23 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Allie,  I'm so sorry to hear but completely understand your hurt. My mom was also diagnosed recently with lung cancer (stage 3b) at 77 yrs old.  The one thing that I will suggest...keep on top of her care.  You will see many physicians (and I suggest you get 2nd opinions on everything) and you may get conflicting information, especially due to her age and physical state.  Sometimes physicians will be reluctant to provide certain types of treatment due to side effects associated with her age.  What you need to remember is that your mom (and your family when needed) will need to make the final decisions regarding care.  Become as educated as you can on the subject.  Study up on the internet and at the library and use these forums often.  There is so much information out there. Make sure you ask as many questions as you can of the physicians when you are in consultation with them.  You may need to help your mother understand what is going on from time to time...I'm sure not everything is sinking in right now for her.  All a blur of confusion.  A couple things I'll share about my mothers care that may help.  Again, as I said, she was diagnosed with stage 3b small cell.  7 lesions in her left lung, no others found throughout her body.  Prior to treatment she was given CT scan (which found the cancer) and a full body PET scan and MRI of the brain to ensure it had not spread anywhere else in the body. Unlike your mother though, she walked into treatment a vibrant 77 year old (still able to play tennis a couple days a week).  She underwent 4 cycles of chemo (etoposide and cisplatin), during 3rd cycle they did radiation to her lung.  I will say that the docs were amazed that she did so well on chemo (no nausea, etc).  The week after radiation was the worst.  The pain in her throat was terrible, even on pain meds. She lost about 20% of her weight and we had to take her in a couple times due to dehydration but she never was admitted.  The worst of the side effects hit around the 2nd week of her 4th chemo cycle.  Docs did tell us to be prepared as the next chemo cycle brings it on.  4 weeks after the 4th cycle, they perform another CT to 'restage' the disease.  Hopefully at that point they will tell you "it is gone".  In my mother's case, they couldn't tell for sure so, as a precautionary step, they offered ther a 5th and 6th cycle of chemo.  She did okay but fatigue was the worst part of it.  After chemo, they may offer you propholatic brain irradiation.  Seems that although you may not have cancer cells showing up on MRI, the chemo does not work well with brain cells so they irradiate to ensure any remnent is killed off.  You will need to decide carefully on this treatment given your mother's mental history.  The only holistic approach we took beside convetional medicine was having her eat mung beans and shitake mushrooms.  I believe firmly that her ability to handle the chemo well was all due to these 2 foods added to her daily intake.  We would make chicken soup and just add these ingredients in.  She ate about 1/4 every day during treatment and she still eats them.  I've also read about other holistic remedies on this website that we may try to help keep the cancer at bay.  Keep in mind that knowledge is power and the more you know the better you'll be prepared...good or bad.L. ELMALL Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Allie, My heart goes out to you.  I am a 62 year old woman older than your mom, my family history has tons of different cancers.  My 90 year old mother survived breast cancer unfortunately she is still smoking.  I have small cell lung cancer.  I have survived chemo, radiation, and I am doing preventative radiation  (CPI) now.  HOPE, Love and support from your love ones is key.....Positive attitude.  My prayers are with both you and your Mom, I have three sons.... becky Remiss08 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT